Short story:
Barred from BJ in 2 US casinos during 2000.
Banned from Europe casino 2002 via computerized Griffin Investigations data.

Long story:

I am far more gambler than pro player. Did Las Vegas 1-2 times a year in 70s, 80s, 90s. Fooled with HiOpt 1 using what I now know to be an inadequate spread for a positive EV game.

After the wife insisted I quit car racing it was time for new thrills. Studied KO in 1998 for another stab at gambling success. We did some ten 2-3 day casino trips in 1999 and maybe 8 in 2000. A run of positive flux those years resulted in a series of small wins, sadly more than offset by my wife?s slot machine losses. Played a borderline game $25-$100 at DD ($10- $100 @ 6D) I never worried about being banned. Only cover was betting 2 units off the top and parlaying up.

In 2000 I received ?the tap? and was told ?No more BJ? -- first in Mississippi, then a few months later at a sister property in Las Vegas. Too much hassle sneaking around so we made only 2 trips in 2001 and none in 2002. Always used my real name.

Never figured my bad reputation would be a problem elsewhere. On a recent European vacation the casino required a passport for admission. After entering my info, she stared at her computer screen for several minutes, then called her supervisor who called some guy who called in The Director who gave me a written notice barring me from the property. They would not even let me into the casino! During the process, I saw a computer screen identifying me as a Counter of Cards in Blackjack (not written in English) and a sheet titled ?Griffin Investigations? with a photo of me playing BJ.

As a regular reader of this (and BJ21 and BJMath) I have seen long discussions about Griffin. And comments that being in Griffin is no big deal. Maybe Griffin just recently computerized their data and photos. Maybe it is only available in Europe. Anyone with a similar recent experience in US? During my ?interview? a 3rd gentleman brought in the fax (or printout). He became upset when I saw the heading & photo. Up to that point no one would tell me what the problem was.

My grand total of BJ winnings would not cover what we spent on this vacation. Apparently time for a new hobby, but I?m a bit old for law school.

I was thinking about cross-posting this to BJ21, etc. Appreciate comments from the wiser heads on this board, the elite of the Blackjack community.

Should have followed Don?s advice about only playing shoes & keeping the sessions short.