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  1. #1


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    When they mess with you

    I love a challenge. So when the PB or table Mgr shows up and starts talking to me to try to disturb my count, I see it as an opportunity to dispel any doubt I could be a counter.

    I'll make eye contact with the interlocutor, talk back, turn around to take a mental snapshot of the cards dealt, then turn back quickly and keep on chatting, while keeping on with the mental arithmetic.

    So... I had no issue talking with a veteran PB. Who then proceded to tell me a long nonsensical joke with a totally unfunny punchline. I pretended this was somewhat funny and kept on playing. At that point I was losing. I did come back and made a little bit of money. The experience was actually very entertaining.

    Is this type of technique to mess up with you common? Or is it just because he's a veteran PB who has seen it all? Anyone has a similar story to share?

    And this is where I'd like to thank Norm for CVBJ and the drills companion. I would not be a solid counter without practicing almost daily with these two pieces of software.

  2. #2


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    Yes, this is extremely common. Normal non-crazy PBs will prefer this to summarily backing you off or giving you a half-shoe; it's also an indication they know what you're doing, but don't consider you a threat. Unless you have nowhere else to play or are playing at an extremely low level, you should consider spending a lot less time at this store.

    You seem to be proud of yourself. While it is good to practice socializing and counting at the same time for camo purposes, being entertained by heat and being completely transparent to the floor is -EV. As much as he was trying to mess you up, he was doing you a favor by letting you know you've been detected.
    Last edited by Boz; 06-09-2016 at 02:36 AM.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Bodarc's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DatabaseGuy View Post
    I love a challenge. So when the PB or table Mgr shows up and starts talking to me to try to disturb my count,
    Unless they are busy, some PB's get bored and just want to talk. I have one PB that is a "back to the nature" guy. He can talk for days about his wood burning stove, his garden and how he does things the "Old" way. He's no more trying to disturb my play than the cocktail waitress is. He's just bored and can't stop. I raise bets right under his nose and he pays no attention and hasn't for six months because he's too interested in his current project and what time he's going to get off.
    Play within your bankroll, pick your games with care and learn everything you can about the game. The winning will come. It has to. It's in the cards. -- Bryce Carlson

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    Yes I admit pride in mastering a skill, but it's only due to practice and great tools. It's like learning a complex piece of music. No biggie here.

    I don't see any negative EV in talking to the PB if I don't lose the count and pass the test. I used to lose the count easily. Being able to keep on with the act even under stress while not losing the count is important.

    I usually play low and high stakes at this shop. Based on my nickname you can guess this is not how I make my living. This is a hobby and a life hack. Beating the system and getting away with it is probably what motivates us all, at least at first.

  5. #5


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    If it's a DD game and the PB really wants to chat it up, I see it as an opportunity to make friends and demonstrate that I have no interest in what cards are being played. So 'll forget about the count and engage him totally. Just go to min bet and start over on the next shuffle....

    A shoe game is different. The opportunity cost is higher if well into a decent shoe...

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    In none of the cases below are we referring to Pit Bosses.

    If they are Pit Bosses, it is time to "get out of Dodge."

    These suits are just what we refer to as 'Pit Critters"

    They are "floor persons", professionally: "Game Supervisors."

    Frequently they are chatting us up because they are very bored.

    Sometimes they are indeed willfully distracting us to see if we get annoyed.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Jabberwocky's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ZenMaster_Flash View Post

    In none of the cases below are we referring to Pit Bosses.

    If they are Pit Bosses, it is time to "get out of Dodge."

    These suits are just what we refer to as 'Pit Critters"

    They are "floor persons", professionally: "Game Supervisors."

    Frequently they are chatting us up because they are very bored.

    Sometimes they are indeed willfully distracting us to see if we get annoyed.



    Best trick is to have earbuds plugged into your head listening to music. They'll never bother you.

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    I had a Floor trying to ask about me. I was non engaging. I had been losing. When he asked why I was nonsocial I snapped at him that I had been getting my ass kicked and was losing big time and had been all weekend. He left me alone and I got a big comp when I was done. I guess he got the message that the odds of having a pleasant conversation with me were about 0 unless I started winning. I actually was doing quite well for the weekend but didn't want to chit chat and took advantage of the negative session swing to shut him down.

  9. #9
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    Like the cell phone at the table rule many casinos won't let you use earbuds.

  10. #10


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    Besides the chit chats, I've had a dealer switched on me, replaced by one of the fastest dealers I ever played against. While two suits were watching. I made a bit of money and tipped her, told her it was fun, just that I wished she had dealt a bit slower at times and then I cashed and left. I played there several times again, never got into trouble. I dont know what game they play. I suspect EITS is as much a revolving door as the floor.

    I dont know what to think. Why sending a message and then not following up with an 86?
    Last edited by DatabaseGuy; 06-09-2016 at 10:59 PM.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by DatabaseGuy View Post
    I've had a dealer switched on me, replaced by one of the fastest dealers I ever played against.
    Cool a pay raise.
    Quote Originally Posted by DatabaseGuy View Post
    While two suits were watching.
    This should not be a problem since you should be able to keep up without thinking. You know my count is one of the most complicated and I have no problem keeping up and making snap decisions that are accurate. If they are too fast for you use natural looking stall tactics. If you need a list PM me.

  12. #12


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    An amateur counter with a small spread at a large store isn't considered an AP immediately, he's just someone trying to enhance his game or 'better than basic.' Most PBs don't look forward to 86ing people and would prefer the person took a hint. Maybe you're not a threat...yet. It's not much of a mystery.

    You're also probably reading too much into things. The 'fastest' dealer didn't get dragged out of bed to stop you from winning. The dealer was working the BJ pit that day and had to deal somewhere. You could have went to another table and she wouldn't have followed.
    Last edited by Boz; 06-09-2016 at 11:34 PM.

  13. #13


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    Quote Originally Posted by Boz View Post
    You're also probably reading too much into things. The 'fastest' dealer didn't get dragged out of bed to stop you from winning. The dealer was working the BJ pit that day and had to deal somewhere. You could have went to another table and she wouldn't have followed.
    They brought her in and the other dealer had just started her turn at my table. The PB talked to her in her ear and she looked a bit surprised. The new dealer was obviously trying hard to make me lose my count. I took it as a challenge. This was not the first time I was hitting them. I keep my sessions short and I leave when I won or lost enough.

    I am pretty sure their purpose was to send me a message and I did what I always do when they send me a message: leave.

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