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Thread: Comp Counting

  1. #1
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    Comp Counting

    Hello everyone. Not sure if what I am doing is actually defined as comp counting or just being a degenerate, but over the past 8-12 months I have been playing blackjack only in a completely casual way. Why? I have had generous comps completely cut off from a couple properties and been backed off from a couple others, even at the meager stakes I used to count at. I have a Caesars property 5 minutes from my residence, but I never go there because I don't like the depressing crowd and having to pay for drinks. Instead, I travel to Atlantic City and/or Vegas every couple months for weekend blackjack trips. When playing, I naturally seek out the best rules available at my level, which has settled in at either $25 or $50 tables. I enjoy the game, chatting with the dealers and other customers, guzzling free drinks, and just relaxing at the tables. I find myself still counting often and sometimes doing a 1-2 spread or making a clear index play when the deck is noticeably heavy or light (12 v 4,5,6 or 16 v 10) and otherwise adhere to perfect BS. I graduated from college in the last few years and my current employment leaves me with a good amount of disposable income that I have mostly just been saving.

    Right now I am consistently receiving all nights free except Saturday at Borgata in AC with $100 matchplay good every couple days. Additionally, express comps accrue relatively quickly and I generally use those to cover food for an entirely free trip. I am very happy with these comps.

    In Vegas I play at the same level but spread my play between the higher MGM properties like Grand, Bellagio, Mandalay, Aria. I rarely will get either a Friday or Saturday free at Grand or Mandalay, and never at Aria or Bellagio (though they do offer very good discounts).

    Does anyone have tips on how best to comp count and/or suggestions on how to get that bump up to consistent free weekend rooms in Vegas at any of these 4 MGM properties? I usually start off the top when sitting down with a slightly higher bet to get added to the computer at a greater level.

    With a $10,000 bankroll is it crazy to play $100/hand? Is it even worth considering for the slightly better rules and potential comp advantages?

    Just kind of curious as to feedback on this type of play. Lack of patience, heavy drinking in casinos, and fear of being blacklisted in MGM database is what has kept me from counting as of late.

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    The 1-2 spread with $100 min on 10k bankroll, will eventually eat your bankroll.

  3. #3
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    The rough sim that I viewed showed roughly a breakeven game (actually + some change each hour) when the dealer stands on s17 and surrender is allowed on 6 decks when base bet is doubled at true count of 1 using only I18 with HiLo; is this incorrect?

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    Yes.
    And RoR is only 93.3%

    ScreenShot12291.jpg

  5. #5


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    Quote Originally Posted by Philippe B View Post
    Yes.
    And RoR is only 93.3%

    ScreenShot12291.jpg
    And SCORE is 0.29! Sigh.

    Bonne Annee !

    Don

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    Do what you enjoy, just know what you're getting into ahead of time. Looking at the sim above, that doesn't seem like something I'd personally be interested in. But everyone's different. If you're fine with most likely losing that $10k while getting free/cheap vacations, free drinks, and everything else -- then go ahead.

    IMO, you'd probably be significantly better off with doing a $50-$150 spread (or $50-$200) and wonging out in poor counts, while getting similar comps, and have virtually no chance of getting backed off (correct me if I'm wrong?). Not that this would be a "good game" by any stretch of the imagination, but it'd be less of a "complete dumpster fire sh**-eating game".
    "Everyone wants to be rich, but nobody wants to work for it." -Ryan Howard [The Office]

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    Quote Originally Posted by RS View Post

    IMO, you'd probably be significantly better off with doing a $50-$150 spread (or $50-$200) and wonging out in poor counts, while getting similar comps, and have virtually no chance of getting backed off (correct me if I'm wrong?). Not that this would be a "good game" by any stretch of the imagination, but it'd be less of a "complete dumpster fire sh**-eating game".
    Certainly my biggest concern is a MGM property backoff or skilled player label while playing rated.
    $50-$200, even though hardly a positive game, combined with perfect BS makes me very nervous that their advanced surveillance will catch on during a multiple hour session...

  8. #8


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    Quote Originally Posted by FalseCount View Post
    Certainly my biggest concern is a MGM property backoff or skilled player label while playing rated.
    $50-$200, even though hardly a positive game, combined with perfect BS makes me very nervous that their advanced surveillance will catch on during a multiple hour session...
    I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that if you are green chipping, coupled with playing rated, at an MGM property, you are already on their radar. Don't play +1hr sessions per shift if you can do so. Also, why would you want to comp hustle blackjack when you can actually make money using your skills at better games?

    I mostly hear from veteran counters that green action at any sweat-shop is a no-go. I imagine this applies here, no?

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    Quote Originally Posted by RS View Post
    you'd probably be significantly better off with doing a $50-$150 spread (or $50-$200) and wonging out in poor counts, while getting similar comps, and have virtually no chance of getting backed off (correct me if I'm wrong?).
    There are very sharp places where you would be backed off with one of the spreads you mention. I'd do it but just be careful because if they are really sharp they could get you.

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    Last year I was at an MGM property and was "flat bet" the instant
    that I went from a bet of $25 to a bet of $50. It took < 20 minutes.


  11. #11


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    Quote Originally Posted by ZenMaster_Flash View Post

    Last year I was at an MGM property and was "flat bet" the instant
    that I went from a bet of $25 to a bet of $50. It took < 20 minutes.

    I was playing rated and had camped out at an MGM property in Las vegas for a couple of hours when they decided to flat bet me. It was my mistake because I had a broken toe, walking was painful and I had a flight out of Las Vegas in a few hours. Rather than drive to another property, walk the long walk from parking lot to casino, I talked myself into playing some 3 hours. I thought I would keep my spread polite (1-4) and hang in there. I was losing.

    In any case, the decision to flat bet me at one MGM property did not carry over to another as I was comped a room at their bigger property and allowed to play there. Though, it convinced me that playing rated will not work in Las Vegas.

  12. #12


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    Quote Originally Posted by ZenMaster_Flash View Post

    Last year I was at an MGM property and was "flat bet" the instant
    that I went from a bet of $25 to a bet of $50. It took < 20 minutes.


    Yes, you must know that the flat bet had nothing to do with you raising the bet from 25 to 50. It just happened to occur at the same time once they recognized your name and/or face.

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    If you just want comped rooms you can play green chips 25-100 for 4 hr a day and that is all you need. You can also just play Video poker for comps.

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