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  1. #1
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    Buy-in optics

    I’ve been reading with interest the archives on session bankroll. Based on what I’ve learnt, I’ve been buying in waaayyyy too light for correct play, but I view current live play as practicing keeping track of a live count in real conditions (improving!), betting discipline, etc. So it’s fine for now.

    But when it’s time to start in earnest, the general advice is 30-50 max bets per session. Buy-ins I’m seeing at the tables I’m playing at are typically 1-3 max bets or say 10-30x table minimum. Some people come in and buy in 4 min bets. I may as well bring a bugle with me if I’m going to buy in 10 max bets which would be 2x table max bet limit. So:

    1. What percentage of your session BR do you typically buy in at?
    2. Are table limits a function of that decision?
    3. What are the mechanics of even bringing out your cash (I’m thinking my money clip is a bad idea and I should use a typical folding wallet)? “Dealer, hold this elastic band while I peel off a grand...” doesn’t seem right.

    Thanks




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  2. #2


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    Don't confuse buy-in with session bankroll. You don't need to buy in with everything you've brought. If you're red chipping, then buy in for $100-$200. If you're green chipping, then a $300 initial buy-in is ok. If you have the right act, it can look very good to be going into your pocket for more money if you lose your initial buy-in.

    To answer your questions:
    1. It's not a percentage of the session BR. It's an amount that fits with the colour of chips you are (mostly) playing
    2. No, unless it affects the colour you're playing
    3. You want to look like you're chasing the loss. Make it look like you don't really want to buy more chips but you're going to anyway.

  3. #3


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    Quote Originally Posted by Gronbog View Post
    Don't confuse buy-in with session bankroll. You don't need to buy in with everything you've brought. If you're red chipping, then buy in for $100-$200. If you're green chipping, then a $300 initial buy-in is ok. If you have the right act, it can look very good to be going into your pocket for more money if you lose your initial buy-in.

    To answer your questions:
    1. It's not a percentage of the session BR. It's an amount that fits with the colour of chips you are (mostly) playing
    2. No, unless it affects the colour you're playing
    3. You want to look like you're chasing the loss. Make it look like you don't really want to buy more chips but you're going to anyway.
    In the places that I frequent, I buy in for $500. They know I have dough, so no sense hiding the fact, and it fits in with my bets. There's a place that I don't play often - has the same rules as above, which depending on dealer, has deck pens of 1.5 to 2.5. At this place, I buy in for $300. Allows me to get in and out quick if I get a winner (sarcastic) of a dealer. I don't know in advance, as there is NMSE and a covered shoe.

    There is another location where I can normally play heads up at $25 min. If the critter with the broom is there, I go to the $10 table (better cut as well), and buy in for $300 - high I should for a $10 table, but again, they know I have it.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Freightman View Post
    At this place, I buy in for $300. Allows me to get in and out quick if I get a winner (sarcastic) of a dealer.
    Good point. Keeping the number of chips in front of you small makes it easier to leave the table (for whatever reason) without colouring up and without drawing attention.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gronbog View Post
    Don't confuse buy-in with session bankroll. You don't need to buy in with everything you've brought. If you're red chipping, then buy in for $100-$200. If you're green chipping, then a $300 initial buy-in is ok. If you have the right act, it can look very good to be going into your pocket for more money if you lose your initial buy-in.

    To answer your questions:
    1. It's not a percentage of the session BR. It's an amount that fits with the colour of chips you are (mostly) playing
    2. No, unless it affects the colour you're playing
    3. You want to look like you're chasing the loss. Make it look like you don't really want to buy more chips but you're going to anyway.
    Excellent!

  6. #6
    Senior Member Bubbles's Avatar
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    A good rule of thumb is to not buy in for more than 20x table minimum.

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  7. #7


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    20 x base bet for me

  8. #8


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    If you can, keep a chip inventory. This cuts down on buy ins.

  9. #9
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    Thanks - that’s all valuable advice.


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    I use a player's card so the buy in amount isn't a relevant matter. But the max bet and session win certainly are!

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Member Name Hidden View Post
    I use a player's card so the buy in amount isn't a relevant matter. But the max bet and session win certainly are!
    This is my local, isolated store. Having been a few times having no card meant you really look out of place without a card. I’m not scruffy enough to cultivate a “uni-bomber off the grid persona” - too small a town. I will heed the ‘play anonymous’ when I have the chance to play elsewhere... the floor did confirm for me, as you note, that time played and average bet is the only thing they consider. But, I think the other advice that going into your pocket for “chase” money or chips is good cover and a huge buy-in would cause undue curiosity at least and unwanted attention at worst.

    Do you care to elaborate on your thoughts about max bets and session wins, perhaps as a function of table limits, perceived choke points or what other criteria you use? Bearing in mind local play as opposed to hit and run play.




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  12. #12


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    Quote Originally Posted by Red Green View Post
    This is my local, isolated store. Having been a few times having no card meant you really look out of place without a card. I’m not scruffy enough to cultivate a “uni-bomber off the grid persona” - too small a town. I will heed the ‘play anonymous’ when I have the chance to play elsewhere... the floor did confirm for me, as you note, that time played and average bet is the only thing they consider. But, I think the other advice that going into your pocket for “chase” money or chips is good cover and a huge buy-in would cause undue curiosity at least and unwanted attention at worst.

    Do you care to elaborate on your thoughts about max bets and session wins, perhaps as a function of table limits, perceived choke points or what other criteria you use? Bearing in mind local play as opposed to hit and run play.




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    I think it depends on the individual. As I said to 1 games manager - your goal us to lighten my wallet. My goal is to beat the crap out of you. Though we have opposing goals, there's nothing that says we can't have pleasant interaction during the joust.

    I think house choke points will expand or contract depending on the individual. High class intelligent pleasant individuals, such as myself, who project a high net worth, who treats dealers and critters with kindness and respect (usually) get a extra slack. This 1 particular smallish store, I apologized to the GM, after taking them to the cleaners. On another occasion, having lost a bit, a significant win for the house, the critters thanked me as always for my play, made sure my to go coffee cup was filled. Certainly, I'm cognizant that the game will end sometime, but meanwhile.......

    On the other hand, low class proclaimed slash and burn guys, like English Pig Dog, agonizing over every over bet, cursing every loss, oblivious to the concept of tip, blaming dealers and otherwise being a royal pain in the ass, have significantly lower slack levels, as in none, and will soon enough, face the fate of Haman. Biblical reference since English Pig Dog seems to get off on these things.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Freightman View Post
    I think it depends on the individual. As I said to 1 games manager - your goal us to lighten my wallet. My goal is to beat the crap out of you. Though we have opposing goals, there's nothing that says we can't have pleasant interaction during the joust.

    I think house choke points will expand or contract depending on the individual. High class intelligent pleasant individuals, such as myself, who project a high net worth, who treats dealers and critters with kindness and respect (usually) get a extra slack. This 1 particular smallish store, I apologized to the GM, after taking them to the cleaners. On another occasion, having lost a bit, a significant win for the house, the critters thanked me as always for my play, made sure my to go coffee cup was filled. Certainly, I'm cognizant that the game will end sometime, but meanwhile.......

    On the other hand, low class proclaimed slash and burn guys, like English Pig Dog, agonizing over every over bet, cursing every loss, oblivious to the concept of tip, blaming dealers and otherwise being a royal pain in the ass, have significantly lower slack levels, as in none, and will soon enough, face the fate of Haman. Biblical reference since English Pig Dog seems to get off on these things.
    I’m more Mordechai than Haman.


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