Larger Advantages and seeking a mentor

[FalseCount]

I want to start this thread by providing a little background on myself.

I first entered a casino at age 18, playing a $5 H17 6 deck CSM game on a cruise ship. Before I played I studied basic strategy for a few days but didn't have the soft hands or splits memorized perfectly and certainly made mistakes.

I am now 21 years old, have visited many casinos, both domestically and abroad. Basic strategy for each rule and deck variation is second nature and counting using Hi Lo is simple to perform while carrying on a conversation. I have had bets pushed back once, at Treasure Island in Las Vegas. I do not attribute my lack of back offs to superior play or cover ability, but rather realistically to an insufficient spread.

In my 3 years of casino experience, I have arrived at a point where I presently consider myself an extreme amateur in terms of advantage play, but an extreme professional when compared to your everyday civilian. I have recently come to the realization that while I finish at university and continue to be limited by my bankroll, counting is not an overall positive endeavor for me. It is time consuming, risky, and extremely limited by game conditions (6 deck H17 games just don't present significant player edges frequently enough).

That said, I DO see re-implementing counting into my repertoire within a couple years. In the meantime, I will continue to visit casinos. In my many visits thus far, I have kept my eyes open. Anybody who says it is impossible to play with an edge at an 8 deck, 6:5, H17 game is only partially correct. There are potential advantages, LARGE ones, in nearly every game. There is money hanging there waiting to be taken, it is only a matter of who can get it first. Following from this is the possibility of a narrow-minded counter sitting down at the nonexistent dream table of 1 deck, S17, RSA, LS, with no doubling restrictions and 5 cards cut off, and missing a greater edge available at the circus table next to him that deals 4 of 8 decks.

I would like to talk to somebody who has experience using these methods extensively, and whether or not they are feasible for long term gains.

If you are interested in helping me, I would be very grateful. Beyond just this inquiry, I would love to have a long term mentor to contact year after year as I continue expanding my play. I graduate from a top national Business school in the Spring. I have a job opportunity in Santa Monica, but have not determined with any reasonable level of certainty where I will reside long term.

Please post your email if you have feedback or are interested in exchanging communication!

[Stealth]

Not sure I understand what methods your are referring to. I certainly am interested in knowing about the LARGE GAINS in a 6:5 8 deck game.

If you are alluding to hole carding then, then yes, there are people on this forum who have that experience.

[ZeeBabar]

"That said, I DO see re-implementing counting into my repertoire within a couple years. In the meantime, I will continue to visit casinos. In my many visits thus far, I have kept my eyes open. Anybody who says it is impossible to play with an edge at an 8 deck, 6:5, H17 game is only partially correct. There are potential advantages, LARGE ones, in nearly every game. There is money hanging there waiting to be taken, it is only a matter of who can get it first. Following from this is the possibility of a narrow-minded counter sitting down at the nonexistent dream table of 1 deck, S17, RSA, LS, with no doubling restrictions and 5 cards cut off, and missing a greater edge available at the circus table next to him that deals 4 of 8 decks."

Been playing for a couple of years and read these forums but yet to come across any card counter or AP claiming they play 8deck 6:5 games or 8 deck games eith half or 4 deck cut off.

[Freightman]

U

Been playing for a couple of years and read these forums but yet to come across any card counter or AP claiming they play 8deck 6:5 games or 8 deck games eith half or 4 deck cut off. [/COLOR]

Pretty good reason for that.

[FalseCount]

Perhaps I was not clear. The 8 deck illustration is intentionally an extreme case. Even the most inexperienced can tell you that it is foolish to attempt to count such a game. My point is that it is equally foolish to completely dismiss a table and the greater possibilities that can lie therein. Anybody who disagrees does not have the insight I am seeking via more private exchange, and that is fine.

[stopgambling]

do not need to eloborate any further . anybody that looks for opportunities can see where you are going. ap in the making.

[RS]

Perhaps I was not clear. The 8 deck illustration is intentionally an extreme case. Even the most inexperienced can tell you that it is foolish to attempt to count such a game. My point is that it is equally foolish to completely dismiss a table and the greater possibilities that can lie therein. Anybody who disagrees does not have the insight I am seeking via more private exchange, and that is fine.

Agreed. There was a BJ game I played, don't know what the HE is, nor would I care. I estimated around a 3-4% HE. About as bad as it gets (hey, at least you could split!). Game wasn't vulnerable to counting. But it was still vurnerable. Got an edge in the 17-20% range, I'm guessing. I could'a done all the math, simmed the game, etc...but what's the point? To figure out the edge? Who cares!

[Bodarc]

In my 3 years of casino experience, I have arrived at a point where I presently consider myself an extreme amateur in terms of advantage play, but an extreme professional when compared to your everyday civilian.

FalseCount, if you had been reading anything at all in 3 years, you should have a better grip on things than you seem to. Having a mentor will not help you if you are not motivated to learn on your own.

counting is not an overall positive endeavor for me. It is time consuming, risky, and extremely limited by game conditions (6 deck H17 games just don't present significant player edges frequently enough).

You can make money playing 6D H17 games and you can also find better games if you scout. The best of the poor games is the one you want to play.

That said, I DO see re-implementing counting into my repertoire within a couple years. In the meantime, I will continue to visit casinos.

With the 3 years you have spent plus the 2 years you expect to spend, that makes 5 years of seemingly wasted time. If you are going to continue to visit casinos, you should read, study and practice with software. You can learn an awful lot with a little digging, reading and practice.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

FalseCount,

I will rise to the occasion.

post an email addy, and I will contact you.

[Bigdaddy]

[QUOTE=Stealth;179463]Not sure I understand what methods your are referring to. I certainly am interested in knowing about the LARGE GAINS in a 6:5 8 deck game./QUOTE]

This has peaked my interest - I suppose wonging in to a massive count could still be advantageous in a 6:5 game?

[RS]

Not sure I understand what methods your are referring to. I certainly am interested in knowing about the LARGE GAINS in a 6:5 8 deck game.

This has peaked my interest - I suppose wonging in to a massive count could still be advantageous in a 6:5 game?

That is likely not the case.

[FalseCount]

FalseCount,

I will rise to the occasion.

post an email addy, and I will contact you.

I have spoken with you before but would very much like to continue. I am not a devoted player, but I very often have questions and need an experienced mind to pick. Email contact: [email protected]


@bodarc: In the least aggressive way I ask that you carefully re-read what I have posted thus far. I never said that money cannot be made in a 6 deck h17 game. I do not need lectured on scouting, if there is one thing I am very much a proponent of, it is scouting.
Do you mind explaining how I wasted these last 3 years? You know nothing of the places I have visited, the information I have gleaned, nor the wins/losses I have experienced. Blackjack is a hobby of mine, one I have yet to really take seriously, but I try to attack it with as much knowledge and preparation as possible. I think it is important to know what you don't know, and I don't know a lot.

[Bodarc]

fair enough