Las Vegas trip report

[Fred]

This is my trip report to LV in early 2015 and my BJ story. Read it if you want to have a laugh at my encouters on and off the tables...


(I changed a few details to protect the innocent - or not so innocent).

I live in Europe and heard about counting ~ 15 years ago. A few years later I bought 3 books on counting and ate them up to learn the basics. In my country there were no decent games. All 6D with shitty rules (nowadays even all with CSMs). Since I was doing part time studies besides work I promised myself as an incentive that I would properly learn counting and treat myself a trip to Las Vegas, the promised land where milk and honey are flowing, after finishing my Masters degree. Some other things came in between but last year I was finally free to go for it. I re-read the books, bought CVBJ, and started training. I decided to learn the AO2 with an Ace side count. That's alot to learn for a beginner, but since it is far to casino land and I hate losing my hard earned money I opted for a system with a high theoretical EV. I memorized all indices, did the flash card exercises, and counted down decks. I never came < 30 seconds for a DD (2 cards at a time), many gurus advise being better, so that worried me a bit. Then I logged in 70 h of practice play in CVBJ where I still had a negative total balance at the end even with only few mistakes. It felt awkward but it helped preparing myself for the evil variance in a real casino. After a total of 8 months I felt ready and went to a local casino and back-counted to see if I could keep the count in real life. Some dealers were really hard to follow because they were dealing lightningly fast. I calmed myself - I still had a few weeks to practice until my flight departed. There I also saw ploppies blowing away their money over and over again on stupid side bets and it made me cringe...
As a total beginner I decided for a bankroll of 20 k with a max bet ot 100 $. A 100 $ max bet is excluding the good 6 D games because I wouldn't have enough spread. So for me it meant only 2D tables. 1 trip to LV is not "guaranteeing" to come out as a winner and 20 k I can lose without hurting myself finacially (not that I'd want that but you have to be prepared for the worst case). I had got the latest CBJN and already marked all casinos in question that were said to offer a good pen. I planned never to play more than 60 minutes in a casino to fly under the radar...

Fast forward to LV: I landed with 5 hours delay due to snow in Detroit and arrived at my friends place at midnight so no more play that first day.
Day 2: Casino 1: I am super excited. I have never played a single hand of BJ in a real casino in my whole life. And now it is: Me vs. Them. (Before learning to count I have watched but never wagered because I hate games with a negative EV, i.e. all casino games, where the casinos would steal my beloved money.) For a start I choose the casino with the best rules in LV according to CBJN where I play 1 h SD with a 10-30 $ spread and lose 260 $. Not good but what is more important: I am able to keep the count! I don't have the slightest clue of table manners (the dealer is reminding me several times that it's not allowed to touch the cards with both hands). A woman suggest me to tip the dealer after I have a BJ, I say "thanks, but let's wait how I look at the end".
I head to another casino where I make 70 $ (DD with 10-40 $ spread). And then: Enter...
Casino 3: 70 % pen, 25 $ min, I therefore spread 25-100. I can do what I want I keep losing. An Asian guy claims he has figured out BJ "through 30 years of experience at the table". A counter? I decide no, because he doesn't vary his bets accordingly. But he's fun. I pretend enjoying the action with the other patrons but I am miserable inside. Another older Asian guy next to me swears barely audibly at the dealer when she busts him: "You bi*ch", "c**t", etc. He can't even play BS, he loses more and I thank god because the is some justice.
After 1.5 h I am down 700 $. I feel like someone has punched me into the stomach. Losing 900 $ in 3.5 hours is nothing to worry due to variance but I assure you I feel rotten. I call it a day to get my head free again. I know logically it is just bad flux (and not even the worst possible) but I think: "What if it goes on like this every day? What will people think of me when they hear me blowing 20 k in LV for nothing?" Even though we haven't even reached spring the air in the sleeping room is sticky and the aircon loud. I can sleep only a few restless hours.
Day 3: After the previous ordeal I decide to stick to very low table minimum games where I won't reach the 100 $ max that often to calm my nerves. I tell myself that I am playing a random walk with an upside drift. That helps. The off-strip casino next has 60 % pen where I spread 5-25 on a 2D and I drop 30 $. Losing is ok, but losing with bad pen is an uphill battle. I leave after 30 min.
Day 4: One of my most notable days: I go back to the casino with the best rules, this time at the 2D table. Pen is 66 %, I am set. I buy in for 200 and the PB asks for my players card.
Me: I don't have a players card.
Him: You can get one here for the comps.
Me (in a hushed voice): No - I promised my girlfriend not to play any more. She thinks I am gambling too much...
Him: Don't worry, I won't tell her.
Me: If she finds the players card I'm done. I don't want to lose her because - you know - she is a real sweetheart.
He laughs and leaves me alone. I lose and buy in the next 200. PB asks again if I really don't want a card and I decline. We all have fun at the table and I happily lose another 200 under his eyes.At my third buy in of 200 $ the PB tells me "Let me see maybe I can do something for you" and disappears. When I was down a total of 500 $ another guy comes over, probably the shift manager and shakes my hand: "Hi, I am Tony, how's it going". I make a sad face saying that I had better days.
"When you finish, come over to me and I'll see what I can do for you." he said pointing to another pit. Now I was sure they had embraced me as a big time sucker. We are all joking while rubbing shoulders and high-fiving everyone at the table including the dealer and the PB. I am spreading 5-100 when he's away and the dealer shouts out "Checks play" so often that the PB doesn't even react any more. Miraculously now things change and I start winning. After 2.5 hours I decided it was enough. Cashing out it turnes out that I'm only down 13 $ in the end! I went over to Tony and he asked: "So how did it go?". Again I make the saddest face, shake my head, and said with a low, beaten voice: "Oh, better not ask". He fickeled with his computer and gave me a 40 $ restaurant comp. Unbelievable - in the end only 13 $ lost and I get a 40 $ comp even without a players card. Haha!
Day 5: Playing in a strip casino with 25 $ min, so 25-100 spread, 66-70 % pen. I play vs. an Asian dealer, who plays Poker in his spare time. PB explains me that the dealer earns 10 $ / hour + tips as a junior but he absolutely refuses to give me any comps without a players card. Not so bad, I walk out with 580 $ profit after 75 minutes. On the bus stop I get into conversation with a Phillipino woman. She wants to fix me up with her grand-daughter in the Phillipines and shows me a photo of her on her mobile. Very pretty but the Phillipines is too far...


This is part one of my trip report. Let me know if you want more...

Fred

[ZenMaster_Flash]

So ... What did you learn ?

[Freightman]

What is absolutely incredibly impressive
1. You went thru a shitload of trouble to learn a system without ever playing playing a hand
2. Not withstanding rookie jitters, you made very mature player judgements regarding flux, comps (rejecting the players card, and hustling that final meal), and the power of bankroll to keep you playing.
3. You might get matched up and end with a new wife.

Someone who's gone to the effort you have - got to have something going foepr you. Would love to hear more.

[Fred]

Part 2:

Day 6: I am a mathematician, so things like EV and Variance is my daily bread and butter. I am also kind of an introvert. However at the tables I go ape-wild (for cover). I am super friendly with the staff, whish everone a happy day, and franticly cheer with everyone when things go our way. The downside is that I sometimes lose the count when bantering with the others. Oh, not while we are playing but when the dealer is collecting the cards and dealing the next round. I admire the pros who have the routine to park that number in the back of their mind while holding conversation. At the EC I play with 2 ladies who must be over 70 years old. I banter with them the whole time. One leans to her friend and says: "He's cute!". Good Karma brings me 330 $ while I was spreading 5-50 on DD, sometimes with 2 hands for 45 minutes.
At the Golden Nugget the pen varies. I banter with the female dealer. She teases me pretending I busted my hand when she takes a peek for BJ. I hint her to cut deeper for good luck. Not sure if she got the hint or not but the pen is higher now. I tell her she seems to know how to deal and thank her with a token every now and then (I bet a dollar for her). An female Asian player tells me to shut up because it brings bad luck. I steal some moves from her, how ploppies behave so that I can seem more like one (like quickly patting the table and shouting "come on" when your double-down card is turned over). When the TC reaches -13 (on a level 2 count) I wong out to the bathroom. When I come back just after the shuffle I ask how it has been going and if I missed any hot action. Everyone at the table got slaughtered. The Chinese woman points to me with a high, accusing voice: "You knew what was coming!" Inside I'm laughing "Damn you're right. I knew!" but I cannot tell her that so I make a sad face and say: "M'am, I can feel your pain." Later, when a couple wants to plop down at my empty table I welcome them but at the same time give them a fair warning before it is too late: "By the way I split tens!". Woman slightly outraged: "No, you are not!". Then my dealer quickly jumps in with: "Oh yes, he does!" Stunned the couple gets away as quickly as possible. The dealer said that even though I had never split tens in front of her. Amazing! Other dealers don't get the hint and cut off 0.8 decks. I think some don't know or don't want. I leave with +320 $. This is the first time that my total is in the black!
Day 7: Playing DD at a station casino with a notch set at 75 % pen. Excellent! I try never to play over the shift change but have to realize that here the shift changes at 11:00 and not at noon. Strangely the pit boss changes at 11:55. I'll make a note in my Excel where I meticulously keep track of playing times, pens, shifts, spreads etc. I don't want to be recognized because I am limiting myself to a few quality casinos with good pen. I play with some older guys. When we bust the dealer I demand: "Hey, gimme' knuckles!". Old guy: "Give me KNOCKERS? - I haven't heard that for ages!" He has the time of his life and can't stop laughing. Usually I take a bathroom break at TC -5 to -10, or I leave the table to check messages on my mobile. So good that everyone is addicted to his mobile nowadays so I think I blend in easily. At another table I introduce myself: How is it going? An older woman greets me back with "It's hump day!". Does she proposition me? No, the players explain the surprised me that "hump" day is an expression for Wednesday in the US. After 90 minutes I leave up 530 $. Not a surprise but still: Wow!
I head to the posh new SLS. The casino is somewhat empty but everything looks shiny and new. I like that. Pen varies a bit and again some dealers seem to get my hints and some not. I am quickly down 550 $ but keep on buying in. I play over another shift change and things turn around. I have to take a lot of insurances, especially when I bet my max of 100 $. While I make my loss back a female PB eyes me. I ask her for some advice, like 12 vs 2. Usually it is something like "the book says...", I follow her tip and applaud her when it works. It doesn't matter what she says because the count is borderline. After 90 minsutes and a lot of heads-up play I leave with +6 $. What a rollercoaster... but I'll be back.
Day 8: My friend had heard about counting but thinks that nowadays it is not possible anymore due to the use of multiple decks. He loves BJ and has lost "too much" money over the years. Still when I mention BS he has no clue. He doesn't know I am a counter. I use his players card to earn him some points for a bit of play in the morning, SD and DD. After 75 minuts I am up 75 $. My total gain is now over 900 $. Great! Things start falling into place. But big surprise is to come...
Before coming to LV I had contacted a boxing gym so that I can stay in shape during the trip. In the afternoon I train with them for the first time. They are all super-friendly and the trainer even offers me a ride home since I don't have a car here. He asks me what I am doing here. I tell him I am here for gambling and enjoying LV. He works in a casino outside LV. We talk about our favourite games - I can't believe it: He is a pit boss at table games! I never intended to visit his casino because the pen in CBJN was said to be abysmal. I have to make a quick decision: Should I tell him that the only reason I am here is to count cards? I decide to play stupid: I don't know him well and he knows my name and might rat me out to his PB friends in other casinos. Somehow the conversation turns to counting:
Me (confident): I have seen that movie... 21 - but that was a movie, reality is totally different!
Him: Yes, counting is not easy but it can be done.
Me (incredulous): Yes, but if it was possible everyone would do it...
Him: Well, it is definitely possible but we are also watching out.
And he explains me: When they suspect a patron my trainer will be called and back count. But he won't stand right there next to the suspect. Instead he will be a bit apart not to raise any suspicion. Then when he is sure he has an AP in front of him he won't toss him out right away. No! First he will "harass" him, i.e. get him into conversation to see if the can throw him off the count. Only if that doesn't help they'll 86 him.
Unbelievable... my trainer - and he his a counter-catcher. NO!!!
Day 9: Binons: SD and DD. I am opening: How is it going? Dealer: Great, it's hump day. Me: It's Friday, I thought hump day is on Wednesday? Her: Yes, today is my Wednesday! The pen is extremely dealer dependent. Once the count goes up to +20 and only to 2 of 8 Aces have come out yet. I lose every friggin' hand. Damn. I leave with -200 $ after 30 minutes.
Day 10: No BJ today. My friend takes me and some other friends to the shooting range. I have never shot pistol before and my friend is so impressed by my beginner skills (luck) that he says: If tomorrow the Zombie Apocalpyse breaks loose I want to have you and that girl on my side!
I take my host and his other guest to the casino where we use the meal-comp I got a few days ago.
Day 11: I take the route to Henderson for a change. Google Maps and the built-in bus schedule is my savior. Half way there I stop for a casino where the pen is lousy with on a DD shoe game. I hint at a young African dealer to go deeper. He now starts holding the cards in his hand when he cuts. And deep he cuts! 75 % gets him praises and a token from time to time. He asks me: "Are you on the tour?" He must know exactly what I'm up to and I feel I found a partner in crime. When the count goes very negative I want to wong out to the restroom. Too late... the woman next to me leaves first and I'm the only person left. I'm staying angrily - when I come back the deck might be exactly where it is now and I would have time with my good dealer.
Dealer: Do you want me to shuffle?
Me: Yeah, why not!
Dealer: Yes, I should shuffle. This woman might just come back and want a fresh deck.
And he shuffles the minus deck away!
All is great and still I leave the casino 340 $ poorer after 100 minutes with a 5-60 spread.
Next: Sunset Station. The 6:5 SD tables are full of drunk ploppies. Soon they'll be picked clean. They invite me to play with them but I got juicier things: 2D with Surrender and DAS. House edge only 0.2 %. It doesn't get better than that in LV. 70 % pen, spread 5-75. No heat. Wonging out when the TC reaches -5 to -10. I just can't get it up (the profits I mean). After almost 3 h I am leaving with -100 $.
Day 12: Back at the decried, notoriously sweaty SLS. Even though I came at an earlier time I recognize the same PB as last week. Note: She must have a different shift plan. Hoping I am not found out I sit down in the almost empty casino. Brand-new tables, 75 % pen - I spread 15-90 $. As usual I never more than double or halve my bet between to consecutive hands. 30 minutes in I am down 300 $ and get up to roam around a bit for cover when the PB walks to me:
PB: Sorry Sir, you can't play Blackjack anymore unless you show us an ID.
Me: I don't have any ID with me. [Nice try!]
PB: Without ID we can't let you play any more Blackjack... Do you want to cash in your chips?
Normally the books say get out ASAP but I was sure they already made a nice head shot so she precedes me to the cashier. Big mistake! After changing I turn towards the exit when a guy in a lumberjack shirt and a name tag zooms in on me.
Lumberjack: Hello Sir, have you got an ID?
Me: Nah.
Lumberjack: Then show me!
Me: I don't have any ID with me.
Lumberjack: I am sorry but in this case we have to tresspass you.
Me: What? I have been losing money...
Lumberjack: Sorry Sir, orders from the eye-in-the-sky...
And he reads me down the tresspass paragraph from a little yellow piece of paper in his hand while we are approaching the door.
I am passing through the glass doors and see outside in the glaring sun 3 security guards in grey-black suits waiting in line on their bicycles. What?! 3 security guards for a small stakes counter. Are they serious? I shuffle back to the strip with my tail between my legs. Glancing over my shoulder I see one guard circling just a few meters behind me. How far do these guys want to follow me? 100 meters further on sidewalk of the strip I realize I lost my tail when I left the premises. Puh!
So for the price of 300 $ I got a headshot, 86'ed, tresspassed and followed by security guards.
Not sure what did me in after just half an hour play. Maybe they recognized my face, maybe they were too bored and back counted. Whatever...
I hope the SLS will rot!
My total profit is now back at 0. I feel like "Go back to start... do not pass go... do not collect $$". Ahh...

Part 3 ...to follow if you like...

[Ryemo]

Wow! SLS; what a sweaty dump! I can't believe they trespassed you for such small stakes! Great story so far! Let's hear part 3!

[Baberuth]

Question. If Fred isn't in Vegas very often, does it matter whether he plays anon or gives ID? Would he have got 86ed if he gave a card and played the same way or was he targeted when he refused?
Anyway Fred, don't sweat the trespass. there are many casinos with decent rules in Vegas and for your first casino adventure you sure are getting an education. It sounds like you had fun and made it an adventurous memory.
Part 3 yes

[Freightman]

Nice report - entertaining

[Marlene]

Now you know why SLS was empty. Just a matter of time before Chapter 11.

[Romes]

Great trip report thus far Fred. I must also agree with Freight... I'm really impressed with your understanding and handling of a lot of these situations, given you'd never even played inside a casino until this trip. Being a mathematician definitely helps I'm sure, but you also picked up on a huge part of the game, your persona and how you're much more outgoing/etc at the tables! This will help a lot. Old pro's always said it'd be easier to teach an actor to count than a mathematician, but I think you've found the best of both worlds =).

I can't believe you spread even $5-$50 at EC; I got backed off there a couple years ago spreading $5-$40.

Only thing I'm curious, from an educational standpoint... Do you know what your hourly EV is at some of these games? $5-$50 with decent rules (2D DAS -> .43%) is only earning about $8.83/hour (assuming 100 hands per hour). Also, I'm curious if you're planning on playing in Vegas like once per year, or ? The difference is for bankroll purposes. "Trip Bankrolls" usually only need to be about 25 big bets. Thus if your big bet is $100, your trip bankroll would only need to be about $2500. Though, you are staying apparently for at least a few weeks, so 50 big bets ($5k) might be a bit better. With $20k did you want to play the smaller games for experience? Of course, SIMS rule for bankroll and RoR, but from the old generic "100 big bets" rule 20k could get you a big bet of $200 as a real full time bankroll. I'm just curious because you seem to have pretty small spreads other than at the $5 tables. $25-$100 (1-4) and $15-$90 (1-6) don't generate that much EV, unless you're playing at a minimum $25 and $50 min tables. You could play $50 min with a 1-4 spread at the same game mentioned previously and expect $27.48/hour (assuming 100 hands). It's quite fun to realize you have a lot more options than previously thought when you start playing with the limits/spreads/etc. I bet that $50 min game would even have better rules =).

Anyways, that was just some opening discussion and food for thought. I'm loving the report and am seriously impressed with how green you are to counting yet how knowledgeable you seem to be about it. I've helped "mentor" dozens and dozens of counters and you seem to be way ahead of the game for where your experience is at. Keep up the fantastic work! Now... about that Part 3?!?!

[Bigdaddy]

The downside is that I sometimes lose the count when bantering with the others. Oh, not while we are playing but when the dealer is collecting the cards and dealing the next round. I admire the pros who have the routine to park that number in the back of their mind while holding conversation.

Great story - thanks. One suggestion re: your above issue - practice visualizing the count - seeing it as a number in your mind's eye as opposed to memorizing and repeating in your head, etc. Your ability to retain the count while yucking it up will be much better...

[ZenMaster_Flash]

"2D with Surrender and DAS"

Really? At Sunset Station of all places ?

Good for you to understand that the dealers, Pit Critters, Pit Bosses,
and Surveillance Personnel all have DIFFERING (overlapping) shifts.

That is standard everywhere ~ in the U.S.A. at least.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

"Would he have got 86ed if he gave a card and played the same way or was he targeted when he refused?"

Only a Card Counter does not have I.D.
No tourist would fail to carry his I.D.
They know that ! Doh' !
He counted cards transparently.
As SLS does not have a sister
property that is a good thing, BUT
nowadays it seems that we all are
put into O.S.N. and/or Griffen !

[Freightman]

N

Only a Card Counter does not have I.D.
No tourist would fail to carry his I.D.
They know that ! Doh' !
He counted cards transparently.
As SLS does not have a sister
property that is a good thing, BUT
nowadays it seems that we all are
put into O.S.N. and/or Griffen !

A good way to handle - pretty much verbatim
Tap - suit asks me me to step away from table
Me - turning around in my chair, not getting up - what can I do for you
Suit - can I see some ID
Me - is there a problem
Suit - no, no problem
Me - then you don't need to see it..

Agree or disagree,I like to keep it at the table, in full view of the ploppies. If the suit has any brains, they will not escalate.