An entertainign story from last night, power of ace side count.

[hypercube]

I obviously made a lot of mistakes here and I am posting this for entertainment and to suggest how you should not make these same mistakes where your ego has you behaving like an invincible card counter.

Double Deck game more than 1 deck dealt.. no aces dealt, im Hiopt2 w/ace side count, also side counting 8/9 for practice.

I sit down at 15min table at casino i don't normally play at (because always 0.50 antes), no one knows me. I say hi to everyone and inform them I am the best first baseman they have ever played with.

Count is -10, +5 surplus aces, depleted 8/9

Guy on third base has half table max out with 11 versus dealer 4.

I tell him be "careful with that double, no aces are out"
He tells me, "shut up idiot i've only been playing for 20 years"
I said, "no problem man, just saying a 12 really sucks"
Dealer draws a bunch of small cards to 18.
He gets the Ace on the double, storms off the table, the other two players just stare at me, i have no reaction.

Running Count changes to even, now only 1 ace out, still 4/5 surplus aces, last hand of shoe, TC adjusted for aces now +9
I look at the other two players with slight nod, they put out half table max bets. I put out my normal 7units
I get an ACE, next player face, next player 2 aces, splits them both for 21, dealer busts.
I get stared at again followed by fists bumps.

I realize this is not my normal character helping ploppies, dealer and pitboss noticing, drawing attention, appearing like a pro, and so i leave. Back to my normal dumb act asking the dealer for help and appearance of sloppy play.

[Fringe]

That's pretty ballsy man. I made a similar risky move last night, tracking aces. Playing heads up nearing the end of a healthy Ace rich slug and I knew there had to be at least 3 or 4 more coming out in the next few hands. Along come a happy couple who sit down to my left. That's fine I think, how much harm could it do? Next hand. Two blackjacks to my left. Hand after that, split aces to my left. "I was waiting for those" I say laughingly. They don't speak English so I repeat in spanish. Now dealer and bewildered couple are looking at me strange. I cash out a 50 unit win and hightail it out.


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[hypercube]

That's pretty ballsy man. I made a similar risky move last night, tracking aces. Playing heads up nearing the end of a healthy Ace rich slug and I knew there had to be at least 3 or 4 more coming out in the next few hands. Along come a happy couple who sit down to my left. That's fine I think, how much harm could it do? Next hand. Two blackjacks to my left. Hand after that, split aces to my left. "I was waiting for those" I say laughingly. They don't speak English so I repeat in spanish. Now dealer and bewildered couple are looking at me strange. I cash out a 50 unit win and hightail it out.


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Yup had the same happen several times right when shoe gets rich in aces and tens, some places allowing mid shoe entry in DD, very frustrating, they sit down and catch those aces you were ready for.

[Fringe]

Yup had the same happen several times right when shoe gets rich in aces and tens, some places allowing mid shoe entry in DD, very frustrating, they sit down and catch those aces you were ready for.

Can only laugh at a point, you know?

[Bigdaddy]

Good story and reminder that when you use HO2/ASC, you need to remember to make the playing-count adjustment for surplus/deficit aces on the 9, 10 and 11 double down situations. In your story, the ace-adjusted playing count for doubling 11 was < -20. My HO2 index tables say double 11 v. 4 if TC >= -18. So the correct move was indeed not to double. Good advice for that ploppy - way better than he deserved....

[RCJH]

I tell him be "careful with that double, no aces are out"
He tells me, "shut up idiot i've only been playing for 20 years"
I said, "no problem man, just saying a 12 really sucks"
Dealer draws a bunch of small cards to 18.
He gets the Ace on the double, storms off the table, the other two players just stare at me, i have no reaction.

Running Count changes to even, now only 1 ace out, still 4/5 surplus aces, last hand of shoe, TC adjusted for aces now +9
I look at the other two players with slight nod, they put out half table max bets. I put out my normal 7units
I get an ACE, next player face, next player 2 aces, splits them both for 21, dealer busts.
I get stared at again followed by fists bumps.

I realize this is not my normal character helping ploppies, dealer and pitboss noticing, drawing attention, appearing like a pro, and so i leave. Back to my normal dumb act asking the dealer for help and appearance of sloppy play.

Welcome to the Forum.

Now the bad stuff. I play in ante-land, and what you did was dumb. Do not be fooled into thinking it wasn't noticed. EVERYONE there plays blackjack, and every dealer in every casino is either related to or knows ever other dealer, dual rate, floorperson, and pit boss. Burn one store, burn the state. Also, the best games are in the casinos with the most active database participants. There are members here who will vouch for that.

Second, if you spread from 1-7 you will be noticed on double deck, green or red chips. At a $15 table that's $105. If you want to max at $105, do something to disguise your spread. On that game, I spread 1-3, green chip, occasionally 1-4. I realize it lowers my EV, but being backed off equals no EV.

Third, it's okay to fist bump and clap and yell "table win" there. It's expected, because the ploppies do see it as a "player vs dealer" game. It is NOT okay to even HINT you know your table mates should bet more. Giving them a "slight nod" was downright stupid. The minute they think you're team playing, or coaching someone, you're done.

There was once a guy at my table who raised when I did, exactly the same amount. He gave me a knowing look and a wink. I couldn't leave quick enough. Your JOB is to be inconspicuous. Sometimes that means being gregarious, other times it means being quiet. You want to blend in with your surroundings, so you act like those around you. You never want to be the ringleader.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

Hypercube, et al ...

Heed all advice from RCJH, a very very sharp A.P.
I vouch for RCJH. Re-read the post and absorb it.
BTW, RCJH is so good that playing with a real tight
("polite") spread is the "way to go" out your way!

[ZenMaster_Flash]

hypercube,

Were you drinking or smoking dope while playing?
You "outed" yourself! You actually told everyone
that you were tracking Aces. Pull back your egoism
as reflected by your showing that you are a skilled
player. Do NOT return to that casino for a very long
time. When you said "Back to my normal dumb act"
that will be an "epic fail" as the dealers and floorpersons
have LONG memories as they have little else to do and
your face and name will be known to surveillance and
Pit Bosses everywhere. Seeing TWO starkly different
personalities will be considered virtual proof that you
are a skilled player and need to be 86'd
You are smart and everyone else is dumb is what you
are thinking. You MUST respect your opponent in war
and in games that involve money.

Admittedly, you are a newbie. Heed my advice youngster.

[hypercube]

hypercube,

Were you drinking or smoking dope while playing?
You "outed" yourself! You actually told everyone
that you were tracking Aces. Pull back your egoism
as reflected by your showing that you are a skilled
player. Do NOT return to that casino for a very long
time. When you said "Back to my normal dumb act"
that will be an "epic fail" as the dealers and floorpersons
have LONG memories as they have little else to do and
your face and name will be known to surveillance and
Pit Bosses everywhere. Seeing TWO starkly different
personalities will be considered virtual proof that you
are a skilled player and need to be 86'd
You are smart and everyone else is dumb is what you
are thinking. You MUST respect your opponent in war
and in games that involve money.

Admittedly, you are a newbie. Heed my advice youngster.

Your right!, This is the other half of why i posted this because I know i messed up, and as an example for everyone to not make the same mistakes. Watch out for your own ego, that I find is the most challenging thing, stick to and trust your system, and do not talk too much, this was a place i don't care about for longevity so I was not my normal covered play. This is bad idea and rookie mistake.

[hypercube]

Welcome to the Forum.

Now the bad stuff. I play in ante-land, and what you did was dumb. Do not be fooled into thinking it wasn't noticed. EVERYONE there plays blackjack, and every dealer in every casino is either related to or knows ever other dealer, dual rate, floorperson, and pit boss. Burn one store, burn the state. Also, the best games are in the casinos with the most active database participants. There are members here who will vouch for that.

Second, if you spread from 1-7 you will be noticed on double deck, green or red chips. At a $15 table that's $105. If you want to max at $105, do something to disguise your spread. On that game, I spread 1-3, green chip, occasionally 1-4. I realize it lowers my EV, but being backed off equals no EV.

Third, it's okay to fist bump and clap and yell "table win" there. It's expected, because the ploppies do see it as a "player vs dealer" game. It is NOT okay to even HINT you know your table mates should bet more. Giving them a "slight nod" was downright stupid. The minute they think you're team playing, or coaching someone, you're done.

There was once a guy at my table who raised when I did, exactly the same amount. He gave me a knowing look and a wink. I couldn't leave quick enough. Your JOB is to be inconspicuous. Sometimes that means being gregarious, other times it means being quiet. You want to blend in with your surroundings, so you act like those around you. You never want to be the ringleader.

Absolutely correct and agree with everything you said, this is why I posted this to share my rookie mistake and to get admonished for this behavior so I will hopefully learn to not do this again. I am not at the casino to impress anyone, just to make a decent profit without rising attention.

[RCJH]

This was a place i don't care about for longevity so I was not my normal covered play. This is bad idea and rookie mistake.

I understand. When I started playing there were times I wanted to "shoot my mouth off" as well, especially when people commented on my play. I didn't though. I had the ability to maintain my comportment. You have to have that, or everything else is for naught.

Also, you MUST understand that every casino in ante-land is linked. I don't care if you're NE or SW. Ante-land has more casinos per capita than any other state, and everyone either plays, or works for a casino, or has a family member there. Think WHO owns the casinos, and you'll understand. You don't care about THIS store, but maybe you want to be welcomed in the cousin's home next week.

The upside is this is is a great area to grow a bankroll. Good, low stakes games. Here's what I did. Go to one casino, cash out with a modest (less than 500 or 1000) win. Use the table max as your guide. If the table max is 200, do you really want to cash out $3K? It's okay, because you can then drive 20 minutes or less to the next casino and repeat. Do that for a few casinos. Take a break, eat, then reverse your path home on the next shift. If you've shown your max bet, leave after that, win or lose. There are more casinos.

Be likeable. Toke occasionally. Be kind to the regulars. If they hate you, they will BO you. I have witnessed two BOs there, where I am sure they weren't counting, just being an ass. Don't be that guy.

[hypercube]

Yes, this is good advice, and this is how i play. I am always friendly, i dont stare at cards or act serious. I toke at a fair rate $2-3 per 20 min session per dealer, and another $5 if i win a couple hundred. I also randomly tip in player control and double and split it until its around 6-10 and toke that. The reason why i posted this story was to raise awareness to myself and anyone else that this can happen. I have a rotation of 5 casinos in NE OK, and I want to be careful to stay within comfort levels of all those establishments.

[RCJH]

If you did this on double deck in Northeast Oklahoma, you're already toast. If I were you, I'd sick to the shoe in those locations.