Seattle Blackjack Trip - New Counter

[BoSox]

I believe, like me, he doesn't back count and wong in but wong out is on 6 deck shoes (not DD) and then, since he is winning, he also probably takes strategic breaks.

Zee, so you only make strategic breaks when you are winning? Again like most of your answers you are only half right, what about when you are losing? Does it matter to the casino that you just won or lost 5 of your max bets in a row? No it does not, but it does matter when you make them.

Zee, you're correct. I pick my spots when to wong at the casinos where I play rated. I play mostly DD S17 and some casinos in my area allow wonging in and out on DD. If it's crowded and people are getting in and out, I'll do the same. Again, the operative word is cautious. I try to maximize EV but I'm also aware of the environment around me and what I can get away.

If you play in the fashion of the above quote then why did you first respond with this below quote?

"Now if you play rated you need to be a little more cautious in how you play. I don't backcount and I don't Wong at the casinos where I play rated."

I try to maximize EV but I'm also aware of the environment around me and what I can get away.

Do you mean:

I try to maximize EV but I'm also aware of the environment around me and when I can get away?

Or, do you mean:

I try to maximize EV but I'm also aware of the environment around me and with what I can get away doing?

[Dbs6582]

Zee, so you only make strategic breaks when you are winning? Again that is only half right, what about when you are losing? Does it matter to the casino that you just won or lost 5 of your max bets in a row? No it does not, but it does matter when you make them.




If you play in the fashion of the above quote then why did you first respond with this below quote?

"Now if you play rated you need to be a little more cautious in how you play. I don't backcount and I don't Wong at the casinos where I play rated."




Do you mean:

I try to maximize EV but I'm also aware of the environment around me and when I can get away?

Or, do you mean:

I try to maximize EV but I'm also aware of the environment around me and with what I can get away?

You caught me. I didn't describe my play exactly correctly. I didn't realize every sentence would be scrutinized so closely. I didn't want to get into a long thread describing every nuisance on how I play so I made a general statement. I should have chosen my words better. The bottom line is I use more caution at the casinos I play rated but I do wong out occasionally. The same with spreading to two hands when the count justifies it. I do this sometimes and sometimes I don't depending on playing conditions. One thing I'll never do at a casino I play rated is stand around backcounting. I have done this at casinos where I play unrated.

[BoSox]

You caught me. I didn't describe my play exactly correctly. I didn't realize every sentence would be scrutinized so closely. I didn't want to get into a long thread describing every nuisance on how I play so I made a general statement.

Fair enough, sorry for the over scrutiny.

The bottom line is I use more caution at the casinos I play rated but I do wong out occasionally. The same with spreading to two hands when the count justifies it. I do this sometimes and sometimes I don't depending on playing conditions.

I would like to add my own personal tip:

When you are behind and in an apparent losing session I strongly feel that is the time to quit for the day. Especially if you have already shown your top bets enough times. A losing session does not buy you more time to play that day, contrary to what many others think. In fact it is the most opportune time to throw you out, and if you really think about it, it makes perfect sense, as the last thing they want to see is you grinding out of a defeat, and then throw you out.

The same with spreading to two hands when the count justifies it. I do this sometimes and sometimes I don't depending on playing conditions.

I recommend you take that even a step further, by only using it sparingly when making your near max or max bets.

[BlackjackFeign]

Do you happen to be friends with some poker dealers in the Seattle area? I think I may know who you are.

[Dbs6582]

I would like to add my own personal tip:

When you are behind and in an apparent losing session I strongly feel that is the time to quit for the day. Especially if you have already shown your top bets enough times. A losing session does not buy you more time to play that day, contrary to what many others think. In fact it is the most opportune time to throw you out, and if you really think about it, it makes perfect sense, as the last thing they want to see is you grinding out of a defeat, and then throw you out.

Good advice! There are some bj books that also talk about this approach (meaning leave when you're behind sometimes) and I've started heeding it. I used to camp out until I got a head or I got tired and left. I know this wasn't a good idea but I thought I'd have cover since I was losing. I've learn that's not the case. Now I will leave acting dejected (sometimes I really am upset - it's never fun losing) after I've lost some big bets and I'm down a couple 100. I walk out of the casino and head to another local one. I will still sometimes come back but I'll wait till another shift.

Since I've been doing this, the local casinos have been seeing me more as a loser, which is always a good thing.

Btw, I'm a big ratholer. But I only do it with green chips and I make sure the dealer, pit boss and eye in sky don't know I'm doing it. It helps me book bigger loses and smaller wins. I don't over do it since I know they keep a rough track of greens.

That brings up another question. How many pros rathole? What are your thoughts on ratholing?