Illusion: Paper $ vs. Chips

[Illusion]

You can play with cash in Vegas correct? Is it better to jump into a game and play with paper money or to just buy chips?

What value bills do you use if you?re going to use cash? IE having a big wade of $5.00 bills for the red chipper.

Is this way better for the wonging player? Every game I've played at you had to buy in and use chips as cash did not play.

What I have been doing is buying in for 2/3 of a big bet to 2 big bets depending on what the floor starts rating you at. (start under the radar)

I play and win I have the chips to make the big bets, and it looks like lucky parlays. I play and lose I buy in again and it now looks like I am losing or if the count is good bet bigger and looks like I am chasing my losses.

[Wolverine]

> You can play with cash in Vegas correct? Is
> it better to jump into a game and play with
> paper money or to just buy chips?

I can't answer the rest of your question because I don't play that way, but I think I can answer the first part I have left up above.

Yes, "money plays" is a common thing in Vegas. If you are going to do a straight Wong-in and you want to play only a hand or two, laying down the money and saying "Money plays" will get you a hand dealt. If you win, they will pay you in chips. Do this too often at the same place, and you will draw heat.

The most common way I've seen people play below the radar is to buy in for a couple of your normal bets (your normal may be higher than the table minimum) and then play those two hands with the chips they have bought in for. If they win, figure out what to do. If you lose, and the count has gotten down to the Wong-out point, you leave. Otherwise, you're left with chips and you need to find an excuse to Wong-out ("Well, that helped recoup some of my losses, time to move on." "time to catch my plane." etc...).

It is not uncommon to see people buying in for 2 or 3 x the table minimums and try to catch a hot streak. You will not look out of place. however, only a few times in the same joint or they will pick up on you.

[Parker]

> You can play with cash in Vegas correct? Is
> it better to jump into a game and play with
> paper money or to just buy chips?

You can play with cash or chips in Vegas, as is the case in the majority of casinos everywhere. However, casinos use chips for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that they are simply easier to handle than cash. Most casino personnel consider the frequent "money plays" player to be an annoyance.

> What value bills do you use if you?re going
> to use cash? IE having a big wade of $5.00
> bills for the red chipper.

Bigger is better. A few $20's is better than a stack of small bills, which must be meticulously counted out. OTOH, some casinos require dealers to notify the pitboss every time a $100 bill (or bills) is taken.

> Is this way better for the wonging player?
> Every game I've played at you had to buy in
> and use chips as cash did not play.

It is okay to do a "money plays" for your first hand. If you win, you should play the chips and pocket your cash, rather than vice versa. If you lose, and intend to play several more hands (count permitting), you should buy in at that point. When you leave the table, politely decline to "color up" your chips if you plan to do some more wonging, and then use the chips.

> What I have been doing is buying in for 2/3
> of a big bet to 2 big bets depending on what
> the floor starts rating you at. (start under
> the radar)

This is a good plan in general. It looks odd to buy in for a very large amount and then make a small bet. OTOH, as I mentioned above, some dealers find frequent buy-ins and "money plays" to be annoying. In addition, it slows down the game, which is not in your best interest.

A word on buying in: If you place your cash on the betting circle, the dealer will assume that you want to play the cash - all of it - on the next hand. If that is not the case, place your cash between or in front of the betting circles when buying in.

[MissR]

My experience has been to make it as easy on the Pit Critters and Dealers as possible. A bunch of small bills will draw attention and is annoying to everyone including the ploppies. You want to keep the game moving, brings less attention to you!
You also have the option of buying chips at the cage, if you wong in with green or red chips they think you have been playing on another game, or buy in on a carnival game (Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Stud) and then say " OH!!! This game looks to difficult for me!" or " OH! I thought this was Blackjack!"
The Pit Critters talk alot so if you just act a little stupid they will most likely leave you alone.
Bring chips to a game is alot harder for the Pit Critters to track. Cash brings attention!!! : )

Have Fun Wonging!
MissR