Am I done as a card counter?

[Beesbe]

Long story short, I tried blackjack for the first time this last December in Vegas. I'm not a gambler, never really interested in Casinos, but blackjack really piqued my curiosity as it didn't feel like pure gambling, but more like a game of skill where you can win doing the right plays.

So 2 months after, I went through 5 different books, devoured information on internet, learned the Hi-Lo count and practiced for days with online software.

I decided to jump into Casinos in the SoCal area (Barona, Harrah's and Sycuan so far). Got used to the fast paced environment and distractions in a Casino. I thought I was doing pretty good keeping up conversations with players and dealers and also playing my hands correctly while keeping the true count.

I went to Barona this weekend and tried green chips in the DD games. I think I played for way too long (6 hours), jumping into different tables. I always flat bet one unit until the count was positive, then I played 2 hands of 2 units each. The night was going good, I was up 1k, but I got greedy.

During the last hour I started to play 3 hands of 5 units each, while flat betting one when the count wasn't positive. 20 minutes later I was tapped in the shoulder, pulled back of the table and kindly asked to leave because "your game is too good for us" (them). They asked me to cash out and allowed me to come back to play slots only, but not table games.

Before going back home, I made a stop in Sycuan and I got barred off after 2 hours playing there. I was 6 units down and only playing 2 hands of 2 units when the count was positive. I didn't quite understood why they did it. Maybe Barona send my picture to Casinos in the area?

Omw back home I thought I was done as a card counter (after only 2 months into the game). I totally didn't expect this as I thought only players betting really high get banned from casinos, and my bets never been too crazy.

I'm seeking some advice from the more experience counters here about what to do now.

What I've done wrong? Was playing two/three hands the reason I got heat even if my bets weren't too crazy? Is this the end for me as a blackjack player?
Will be my picture maybe circulating around? Should I wait a few months before setting foot in a casino?

I really enjoy the game, and I'm not in a rush to make money. I'd like to keep playing but right now I don't know how should I approach the game. I don't want to get barred from any single casino around my area.

I'd really appreciate any advice on this and thank you for reading.

[Freightman]

Some general thoughts in no particular order.
What is your unit size - I'm willing to bet fairly small.
I'm not an expert on SO CAL, but I think both of those stores are database contributors.
If I saw a counter go 3 hands, when warranted , and only betting 5 units a square, I would let him play to his hearts content. A squandered opportunity.
The house should have let you win your variance, let you come back and lose it in a bad run. His incorporates assumptions by me referring to how your post is constructed, and referring to a probable shoestring bankroll.

It's also possible that the house didn't care, and didn't want you to use them as a training ground.
It also depends on your comportment - was your head and lips moving with the flow of cards, or were you a tough act to follow.

Lots of places to play blackjack. If you get an opportunity for an experienced player to audit your game and give you constructive advice, take it.

[RS]

Going from 1 to 2 hands in DD is a giveaway. Don't do it.

They most likely sent your picture and info to casinos in the area.

Don't worry, in several months the casinos will forget all about it (the other casinos). Lay low for a while, you're fine.

[jimmybond007]

Too long of a session and spreading to two hands on double deck. You are more easily picked off at double deck and when you were seen spreading to two spots you might as well have put a card counter sign on your forehead.

Opening a shoe with two hands and dropping to one hand in negative shoes is a better approach. In general with 2d you are going to be playing all more so than 6d games. It may be a good idea to learn more negative indices to help you slog through the negative counts and reduce your losses. I would not get too carried away with wonging in 2d games. It's easy enough to catch your bet spread in 2d as it is... Don't make it easier for them to catch you.

[Beesbe]

Thx for the advice everyone,

So my mistakes were playing way too long and going from one to two/three hands in a DD game.

For what you guys suggest I should stay low for a while at least in casinos in SoCal. What would be a reasonable span of time? Are we talking about couple months or 6-8 months?
I was thinking of going to Vegas this weekend. Would this be a risky move now?

If I approach DD decks again, will I be safe just spreading bets in a single hand with a positive count and never play more than two hands?

[Three]

In other words, I might go two hands a total of 5 times over the course of 100 hands. It could be slightly more or less.

Our approaches are as different as night and day. Of course you play single deck and I play shoe games. They are attacked totally differently. I don't spread to 2 hands when the count is good. I do play 2 hands most of the time.

[mcallister3200]

Ffs it was a pretty straightforward question that has virtually zero relation to simple/complex approach. Is there ever a thread on this forum that doesn't get hi-jacked into that topic by the 5th post?

[Beesbe]

Thx again everyone for your input,

If you guys could suggest me what to do from now on that'd be great.

For example, how long should I stay out of casinos in SoCal. I was barred in two casinos in San Diego, but does that means I should stay out also from Harrah's and Pala allocated in Temecula?
If so, what would be a reasonable time to stay low?

What about going to Vegas? Should it be ok for me to play there now?
If I ever play DD again, should I never play 2 or 3 hands? It'd be safe to just spread my single bet to 3 or 4 units? (betting green chips).

I'm sorry for so many questions and thank you in advance.

[EV1]

Thx again everyone for your input,

If you guys could suggest me what to do from now on that'd be great.

For example, how long should I stay out of casinos in SoCal. I was barred in two casinos in San Diego, but does that means I should stay out also from Harrah's and Pala allocated in Temecula?
If so, what would be a reasonable time to stay low?

What about going to Vegas? Should it be ok for me to play there now?
If I ever play DD again, should I never play 2 or 3 hands? It'd be safe to just spread my single bet to 3 or 4 units? (betting green chips).

I'm sorry for so many questions and thank you in advance.

There are plenty of casino's in SoCal. Pechanga and Morongo come to mind and have good tables. L A county as well. Try those using the advice mentioned in previous posts.

[Three]

In terms of "how" many hand to play and when? Buy CV DAta and run this SIMs. The results may be eye opening and a contrast to the advice you might receive on the forum.

What works best in the sims can often get you bounced quick in the casino. There are two halves of maximizing play. One the simulator tells you. The other is governed by casino tolerance which varies by casino and the game you play.

[RobinHood21]

Even though Barona offers the best games in the country it is quite possibly the biggest mistake to play there for long sessions. Barona has the biggest and strongest army against AP's. All dealers must pass a BS test before becoming a dealer. Their procedures that are in place are unlike any other casinos, which have built in measures to catch CC's. Floor supervisors must be able to count down a deck in less than 30 seconds. Surveillance is top of the line in the industry. Etc. And of course they have Max Rubin as a personal consultant. Whom also helps train the employees.
Barona doesn't however trade or share info with any other local casinos. Sycuan on the other hand shares with VV, Viejas, GA, harrahs, pechanga and pala. If you get clipped at any of these you should stay away for a few months as your pic will be sent. The pics are often sent in black and white, rarely in full color and rarely in high quality. A few months should be okay. Keep your sessions short.


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[Advantage]

Losing local options doesn't mean it is the end of the road. Consider traveling a bit to different areas. There are a lot of casinos out there.

G

[cc12b]

Even though Barona offers the best games in the country
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Well, you said that publicly so please share their rules, pen and anything that backup your claim.
Thanks