Autoground: Heat of DDeck and 1-Deck?

[Autoground]

Greetings, Vanguards of Vegas,

If this is the wrong place to post these questions, I apologize. Would the main forum be better?

1) I consistently hear APers talking about how double decks are some of the best games, and thus garner the most heat. Is this true in Vegas? Do the DDeckers garner more sweat than the single deck 3:2s?

2) More specifically, do they call out 'checks play' on green(at a red chip table)? I'm planning on a bet ramp that avoids using $25 (1-4 red chips, and then on +5 spread to two hands of 3.) Will this slip under a radar?

3) My fantasy is that such small betting might afford me some safety in wonging out. And who knows, maybe even back-counting a bit, or sitting out a hand or two. But at least being able to leave a -1 TC for a table with a fresh shuffle. What do you think?

4) Lastly, i might be willing to take these risks because I know I will be departing Vegas eventually (and for probably a long period of time). What are the longterm ramifications of being tapped on the shoulder, but not having given my name? Might it be worth it to play freely thus? Will my picture be branded into a computer memory? What if such a picture is bearded and different from my usual appearance? And if the dealer asks to see my Driver's License to make sure I'm 21, is it assumed they memorized my name to eventually pass on to the pit boss?

Lots of questions, there, so I thank anyone who answers even one of them. Indeed.

And I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely weather. Good Cards,
-A

[Autoground]

I believe I meant I hoped for the ability to wong out of -2 TC, not -1. Minus one wong out would be impractical, even though I would be seldom sitting down.

[Parker]

> Greetings, Vanguards of Vegas,

> If this is the wrong place to post these
> questions, I apologize. Would the main forum
> be better?

Depends. If you want answers specific to Las Vegas, then this is the place. My answers will be specific to Las Vegas, although they may be somewhat relevant in other areas.

> 1) I consistently hear APers talking about
> how double decks are some of the best games,
> and thus garner the most heat. Is this true
> in Vegas? Do the DDeckers garner more sweat
> than the single deck 3:2s?

It is impossible to make generalizations like this with any degree of accuracy. For starters, there are only a handful of 3:2 single deck games left in Las Vegas, and many of these are in low roller joints. Heat is highly relative, depending on your betting range, appearance, and act.

There are a lot more double deck games than single deck in Las Vegas, and this is doubly true for anyone wishing to bet more than red. Most of these are mediocre (H17, 50-60% pen), but of course, there are some juicy exceptions.

Casinos generally know when they are offering a game that is attractive to counters, and take approprate (or more than appropriate) counter-measures.

> 2) More specifically, do they call out
> 'checks play' on green(at a red chip table)?
> I'm planning on a bet ramp that avoids using
> $25 (1-4 red chips, and then on +5 spread to
> two hands of 3.) Will this slip under a
> radar?

Again, there are no hard and fast rules. What doesn't get a second glance in one casino may get a "Checks play!" loud enough to be heard in Laughlin at another. Even in the same casino, some dealers may be more conscientious about it than others. Generally, just try to find their tolerance level early in your session, or better yet, by watching other players, and then stay just below the threshold.

Anyway, "checks play" isn't necessarily a big deal. I recall one dealer I had once, who was loudly calling it every time I jumped my bet - until the pitboss got annoyed and told her to knock it off. :-)

> 3) My fantasy is that such small betting
> might afford me some safety in wonging out.
> And who knows, maybe even back-counting a
> bit, or sitting out a hand or two. But at
> least being able to leave a -1 TC for a
> table with a fresh shuffle. What do you
> think?

Keep in mind that many players consider people jumping in and out of pitch games, especially single deck games, to be an annoyance. You may not care, except that they may complain to the pit that you are "messing up the cards" or some such.

> 4) Lastly, i might be willing to take these
> risks because I know I will be departing
> Vegas eventually (and for probably a long
> period of time). What are the longterm
> ramifications of being tapped on the
> shoulder, but not having given my name?

Practically nil, especially at red chip betting levels.

> Might it be worth it to play freely thus?

It would be foolish to do otherwise. Red chip bettors cannot afford cover plays.

Just blast away, but keep your sessions short.

> Will my picture be branded into a computer
> memory? What if such a picture is bearded
> and different from my usual appearance? And
> if the dealer asks to see my Driver's
> License to make sure I'm 21, is it assumed
> they memorized my name to eventually pass on
> to the pit boss?

No, and why would the pit boss have any reason to remember it? Besides, have you ever seen security photos? Trying to positively identify anyone from these blurry shots is difficult at best, especially if time has passed and/or the person's appearance has changed.

> Lots of questions, there, so I thank anyone
> who answers even one of them. Indeed.

Just call me answer man. :-)

> And I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely
> weather. Good Cards,

Don't know what it's like where you are, but weather in San Diego sucks.

[Autoground]

Once all my info is together I'll perhaps post what my specific mode of attack will be. It will be at the red chip level, and this info really really helps.

Thank you.

[Parker]

> Once all my info is together I'll perhaps
> post what my specific mode of attack will
> be. It will be at the red chip level, and
> this info really really helps.

Glad to be of assistance.

Don't get too specific! :-)