Need some advice

[MWRIGHT13146]

I have been trying to find tables that I can play by myself. I do very well playing by myself and playing two hands. The problem I'm having is that shortly after I sit down someone else does. This means that I can't bet the minimum on both hand I have to play double the minimum. I usually play at $15 minimum tables so I'd have to up my bets to $30. I play in $10 increments 0-$10, 1-$20, 2-$30, etc. My max bet is $60.
I can sit down at a $25 minimum table and request to play alone without anyone else sitting down.
My question is should I sit at the $25 dollar table and just play $25 at 1-3 and then anything higher than 4 play $50. Or should I just stay at the $15 and play one hand when someone sits down?
Thanks in advance!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Exoter175]

I have been trying to find tables that I can play by myself. I do very well playing by myself and playing two hands. The problem I'm having is that shortly after I sit down someone else does. This means that I can't bet the minimum on both hand I have to play double the minimum. I usually play at $15 minimum tables so I'd have to up my bets to $30. I play in $10 increments 0-$10, 1-$20, 2-$30, etc. My max bet is $60.
I can sit down at a $25 minimum table and request to play alone without anyone else sitting down.
My question is should I sit at the $25 dollar table and just play $25 at 1-3 and then anything higher than 4 play $50. Or should I just stay at the $15 and play one hand when someone sits down?
Thanks in advance!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Its just the natural landscape of the game, and some kind of "ploppy code" that once a player sits down, its safe for all others to join them. Its funny, you'll have a completely open table with nobody playing on it, but the second you join in, boom, two others players out of nowhere, as if they are afraid to play the dealer heads up.

That being said, I'm assuming you're doing a playall, in which case them being there will help you more than hinder you, simply by eating a bulk majority of the cards as you wait for an elevated count. Caveat, is that it'll also eat up cards in a fairly positive count, meaning you'll get fewer hands at higher true counts. Their actions, however, won't really affect yours, and at the end of the day, you're just going to have to fight through it. Players will always come and go, no way to control that.

That being said, I hadn't heard of a game that allows you to play both spots at minimum bet without other players at the table, that would certainly be an advantageous thing to do if playing both hands, especially from a quasi-grifters-gambit approach. Perhaps playing at odd hours will help out? I certainly wouldn't lower your bet spread to play a higher denomination game, not unless the rules and number of decks are widely more preferential.

[Three]

At every casino I play there is a growing list of people that refuse to play at my table. Eventually this solves the problem. The art of controlling a table includes figuring out what will drive another player off when you want the other player to leave. It is an art of reading people because there is a wide range of things that piss them off enough. I was at a casino that had this same issue. I played higher limit and one hand until it got good and then went to 2 hands. Some players hate when you change hands. I was at a table with one such player and another guy. Things were getting really good so I went to 2 hands. The first got got really pisssed saying why would you do that we were all winning. You messed up the cards despite the fact that we all did really well that round also. He decided he would punish me by sitting out the rest of the shoe so he could nmess me up. He eventually got the other guy to do the same leaving me to play 2 hands heads up in a monster heads up. He rejoined at the beginning of the next shoe. When I did it again he just left the table and I asked the other guy if he was going to leave as well. He said I will just watch you play. The crazy stuff you do is more entertaining to watch than actually playing. So he sat out that shoe as well. The guy that left will never play at my table again.

It is funny when I started playing this place the issue you are talking about was insanely bad. I considered not playing there and found it difficult to win despite insanely good pen. Now Ploppies watch me play and tell others trying to push through the observers that they should wait for the next shoe. Dealers ask others to wait for me if I am betting big and support whatever argument I make to get them to wait. Of course I tip them well for this very valuable service. Most of those that jump in are real assholes and the dealers hate having them at the table to begin with. They really appreciated my ability to get the pains in the ass types for them to go to a different table so they were happy to help. When they saw it generated tips of course they told all the other dealers to do the same since they all share tips and trade info on how to get each player to tip better. It is a lot harder to train dealers at a keep your own times place because they will never share the info. They know you tip because you like having them as a dealer. they try to figure out what you like and give it to you. I find at the share tips place when 1 dealer figures out better pen gets good tips they all start giving me better pen except for the rare dealer that actually likes the casino. The all pretty much loath their casino employers. They see they have 2 employers, the casino and the tippers. Since doing what the tippers want gets them bonuses but doing what the casino wants gets them nothing you know who they prefer to please if they can.

[Stevie Wonder]

"inappropriate" soft hand doubles are my weapon of choice for clearing a table of those who believe in the voodoo.

[RCJH]

Are you playing 6 deck or DD? I'm only asking because a 1-4 spread isn't going to beat a 6 deck game.

And the casino will let you play two spots at minimum, if you're alone? That's awesome. Maybe play at different times, then, when it isn't crowded.

If you can't avoid the ploppies joining you, try this. Start with 2x30, until you lose one bet. Then drop a hand, and play minimum until the count warrants it. (This "saves your spot" in ploppie-speak.) Once you hit your count, go back to two hands, and ramp accordingly. If the count goes sour, use those ploppies to eat your cards while you take a phone call and continue to backcount the table.

On a shoe, I actually like to have at least one ploppie at the table so I don't have to play all. Where I play, most casinos leave the cards in the shoe when the table empties, so I need someone to play through them.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[terry0222]

You can use CVCX to figure all this out for yourself. Wonderful tool. You can develop various scenarios, change them, determine risk of ruin, EV, etc.

[pilotzone]

That's almost what I do! Except i change my shorts everyday and look for an empty table.

Moses, if you waited for a month or so to change your shorts, you could keep those empty tables empty for longer.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Frank Galvin]

Yes. Sit down at the $25 table. There is some kind of a mental barrier that slows traffic considerably. Perhaps it's subliminal about the 1 changing to a 2.

In general, people dont like to do anything alone. Eat, go to a movie, or watch a game. So playing blackjack alone is huge on an inexperienced players mind. I leave or stretch and say im resting. The busier the casino bigger the problem you are going to have with stop and go traffic.

A lady and her daughter came up and sat on each side of me. I got up to leave and she begged me to stay. Why? I ask. So we wont lose our money so fast.

I am so disappointed in your lack of creativity and cunning.....

I am so sure you could have made their money last a good long time on some "advantage plays".

[RCJH]

Yes. Sit down at the $25 table. There is some kind of a mental barrier that slows traffic considerably. Perhaps it's subliminal about the 1 changing to a 2.

Moses, it would be foolish to try to play a 6 deck game with a two unit spread. The OP asked if he should play at the uncrowded $25 table and use a two unit spread. Not a winning suggestion.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[MWRIGHT13146]

Are you playing 6 deck or DD? I'm only asking because a 1-4 spread isn't going to beat a 6 deck game.

And the casino will let you play two spots at minimum, if you're alone? That's awesome. Maybe play at different times, then, when it isn't crowded.

If you can't avoid the ploppies joining you, try this. Start with 2x30, until you lose one bet. Then drop a hand, and play minimum until the count warrants it. (This "saves your spot" in ploppie-speak.) Once you hit your count, go back to two hands, and ramp accordingly. If the count goes sour, use those ploppies to eat your cards while you take a phone call and continue to backcount the table.

On a shoe, I actually like to have at least one ploppie at the table so I don't have to play all. Where I play, most casinos leave the cards in the shoe when the table empties, so I need someone to play through them.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Playing 6 decks and I understand what you are saying about a 1-4 spread but right now my bankroll isn't to big. Any suggestions on a spread?

Yes they allow you to play minimum if you are alone!!
I like your idea of starting at 2x30 then dropping to 1.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[BoSox]

I have been trying to find tables that I can play by myself. I do very well playing by myself and playing two hands. The problem I'm having is that shortly after I sit down someone else does. This means that I can't bet the minimum on both hand I have to play double the minimum. I usually play at $15 minimum tables so I'd have to up my bets to $30. I play in $10 increments 0-$10, 1-$20, 2-$30, etc. My max bet is $60.
I can sit down at a $25 minimum table and request to play alone without anyone else sitting down.
My question is should I sit at the $25 dollar table and just play $25 at 1-3 and then anything higher than 4 play $50. Or should I just stay at the $15 and play one hand when someone sits down?
Thanks in advance!!

Further down in post #14 you wrote:


"Playing 6 decks and I understand what you are saying about a 1-4 spread but right now my bankroll isn't to big. Any suggestions on a spread?

Yes they allow you to play minimum if you are alone!!
I like your idea of starting at 2x30 then dropping to 1. "


Since you are looking for suggestions on spreads, and whether or not to play the quarter tables, I figured I offer my two cents worth. First you have a bankroll problem that you failed to mention in your first post. Instead of trying to find a quarter table to play alone, you should be looking for a lower table such as a $10 table or even lower if you can find one. Pertaining to spreads, stick with playing one hand, as you are not spreading enough units currently for the pit, or the eye to worry about. Remember, your best spread number is zero, meaning SIT OUT HANDS, and use the WONGING approach, especially leaving tables in negative counts. When your bankroll grows then consider playing two hands when you will be using bigger spreads, and use two hands only when you are making large bets in high counts. Caution when doing this as it does get noticed, at higher stakes, and taking a break is in order when either the TC tanks, or the shoe ends.

[BoSox]

I would like to add, when playing heads up, stick to playing one hand,at all times, unless you are trying to use some cover, by infrequently changing the flow.

[Three]

Playing 6 decks and I understand what you are saying about a 1-4 spread but right now my bankroll isn't to big. Any suggestions on a spread?

Since you can't increase your top bet you have 2 options. First is to play the lowest minimum table limit to increase your spread from your lowest bet to your highest bet. Second is to play as few rounds with a disadvantage as possible.

I like your idea of starting at 2x30 then dropping to 1.

This is usually not advised with a small BR. I took the risk of playing 2 hands most of the time but I don't think my BR issues were as severe as yours. It worked out for me but growing a big BR from a small BR comes down to luck more than anything. You just try to not make things harder for you.

Generally people say count doesn't matter but a strong count would make a small spread much more effective. It would also make results more certain by lowering n0. I wouldn't switch counts unless you counting skills are solid already. I can't remember what count you said you use if you said at all. I wouldn't mention it but if it is a level 1 count stepping up to a level 2 will make a small spread much more profitable and allow you to bet more at the same RoR making it possible to have a higher top bet and thus a higher spread. I would seek times with the lowest table minimums and the least crowding. Often these are the same times. Scouting is really important for giving yourself the best chance at not busting your BR. You want to look for what the rhythm's are of the players and the games. Some casinos have no apparent player pattern while others the crowding and quite uncrowded times are as consistent as a clock. The casino will also have a rhythm for opening and closing tables and for changing table limits. They are trying to make sure the casino has tables open when the casino has a lot more players looking to play so they have a spot to play. This will cause a dead time with fewer tables open that will gradually get crowded. Then the casino will open up more tables and possibly more pits so things don't get too crowded. This will cause less crowded tables for a while. You will find some tables tend to take longer to draw customers than others so they stay uncrowded for a longer window. This is an important distinction when choosing between 2 empty tables. You want one that will still be empty when you get the monster count. You also want to scout dealers for speed, how many cards they cut off and how error prone they are. One error in your favor per hour can give you an advantage if you are flat betting. That will be huge if you are playing an anemic spread. If you can afford it playing two hands will help a lot. Playing better rules and especially fewer deck games will help a lot.