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Thread: Session Length and playing 2 Hands

  1. #1
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    Session Length and playing 2 Hands

    First I would love to play longer sessions, but I have been doing fine with short sessions 20-40 minutes and sometimes 60 minutes, but not often. I see some of those I respect here play longer as mentioned in their posts. I see some saying they remained after being down and hours later recouped. If this is too much info, please feel free to delete. Counting for hours gives the store a lot of time to “make” you, let alone all the AP plays that would happen during this span. There are other posters who swear by short sessions and I also have a lot of respect for them.
    I understand there are different stores, pits, shifts etc., but I don’t see how your cover works for hours. I have read 6 or more hours of play.
    Now playing 2 hands can also send a flare and how about 2 hands off and on for hours. I have been tap free for several years with short sessions, but would love longer play. I also think 2 hands one on one would help, but going back and forth at a table with others playing has to be dangerous. To me, cover is keeping the “call” to the eye from happening. Again if this inquisitive post is asking for too much info here, I understand. I am jealous that others can play long sessions and 2 hands while I am afraid to.

    Babe

  2. #2
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    Part of it has to do with one's individual circumstances. If you have many playable games in close proximity it is easier to adopt a hit-and-run short session style. If you have only 1 or 2 casinos nearby, you probably are going to have to come up with a different approach.

    One thing about those folks that play marathon sessions. If you get down big in a session and dig yourself out several hours later and end up about even, I know that feels good. Almost feels like a win. But the truth is you haven't done yourself any favors. You have missed an opportunity to book a big or moderate win at that location and that can have great value. You will eventually dig yourself out. It doesn't have to be that same session at that same casino at that same table. It is actually beneficial for the long term if it isn't!

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    My 2 cents on playing 2 hands: the EV gain is so big, that you just have to do it. I can maybe see not spreading to 2 hands in a pitch game, but if you're playing shoes, it's just something you have to do.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Gamblor's Avatar
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    Cover on top of cover on top of cover. On top of cover.

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    Thank you Gamblor. I understand.
    Thank you Moo and KJ.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gamblor View Post
    Cover on top of cover on top of cover. On top of cover.
    It's like what Churchill said about blackjack in October, 1939. "I cannot forecast to you the action of an AP. It is a cover riddle wrapped in a camo mystery inside a cover enigma."

    Or something like that.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Aslan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kewljason View Post
    Part of it has to do with one's individual circumstances. If you have many playable games in close proximity it is easier to adopt a hit-and-run short session style. If you have only 1 or 2 casinos nearby, you probably are going to have to come up with a different approach.

    One thing about those folks that play marathon sessions. If you get down big in a session and dig yourself out several hours later and end up about even, I know that feels good. Almost feels like a win. But the truth is you haven't done yourself any favors. You have missed an opportunity to book a big or moderate win at that location and that can have great value. You will eventually dig yourself out. It doesn't have to be that same session at that same casino at that same table. It is actually beneficial for the long term if it isn't!
    Very astute observation. You don't have to get your money back at the same casino that you had a losing session at. We always say it is one continuous session-- well the same goes for casinos... it is all the same casino (one continuous casino) so long as you keep roughly within the same rules and pen... losing at some casinos, as you will surely do because of negative variance, is your best insurance that you can return there with open arms...

    Aslan 11/1/90 - 6/15/10 Stormy 1/22/95 - 8/23/10... “Life’s most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

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    Senior Member Aslan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by moo321 View Post
    My 2 cents on playing 2 hands: the EV gain is so big, that you just have to do it. I can maybe see not spreading to 2 hands in a pitch game, but if you're playing shoes, it's just something you have to do.
    If your bankroll can afford it, playing two hands all the time is not a bad way to go. Repeatedly spreading to two hands at plus counts will create a ton of heat unless you're playing hit and run. YMMV

    Aslan 11/1/90 - 6/15/10 Stormy 1/22/95 - 8/23/10... “Life’s most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

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    Playing for several hours at one casino is possible.
    If you intend on playing alot in just a few casions there are several items you should adjust in your game. They are: adjust your E.V.; if you try to maximize your hourly rate you'll minimize your hourly life. eg. do you want to make $70 an hour for a long time or $100 an hour for a short time? Keep the number of squares you play constant, either always play two or just play one. Rathole like crazy, this is huge. Don't look like a counter, instead of hawking every card relax and chat with the pit or dealer, be friendly. This is especially true if your are in a "play all" situation and the count is negative. Does it really matter if the TC is -6 or -7, you have the minimum bet out.
    There are two parts of AP, first is the math part, most AP learn this part very well, the second is the casino awarness part and alot of AP's don't understand this part. How you act and are perceived by the casino is much more important than some index that you will rarely see.
    Of course if you have an abundance of casinos and tables to play, blast away.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Aslan's Avatar
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    Sage advice.

    Aslan 11/1/90 - 6/15/10 Stormy 1/22/95 - 8/23/10... “Life’s most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

  11. #11


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    Every casino has a pain threshold. If you can sense it, and stay below it, you can play for a very long time. Unfortunately, most pain thresholds are too low to allow on to make a living. See bigplayer 2011 post of the month in bj21.

  12. #12
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    There are games where math and positive variance will bring you to a sizable score and remaining at the table will press your life expectancy. A great cover can't help consistent wins if the store bans winners just for winning.
    It sounds like playing 2 hands is best doing it consistently and not varying it with the count. I have seen many non CC play 2 hands all the time or ploppies vary without a problem. The pain threshold covenut mentions has a wide range, but being able to play for several hours, to me, is really tough unless your win is moderate.

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