Tried counting for the first time

[billcarson]

I was fortunate to be able to accompany my wife on a quick Las Vegas trip last weekend (free room and airfare) and decided to try counting for the first time in a live environment. I have been practicing with the KO count with the verite software for the last few months, and you can look up my previous posts for some additional background info. I played 10 sessions total ranging from 7 minutes to 2 hours per session. I played a very conservative (rated) spread of 1-6 on shoe games at various properties $25min tables with wonging in and out. However, their was one exception, a casino on the strip which had lower minimums and great games I played closer to a 1-10 spread with $10 or $15 min.

The biggest issue for me was finding games that were lower minimums with good rules. At 25 min, my bankroll would not be able to sustain a necessary spread without a very high ROR in the long run. $25 seemed to be the standard for good shoe games on the strip, and in the evening at two of the casinos those tables jumped up to $50 min. I did not encounter any heat as far as I could tell. My sessions ranged from losing 400 to winning 300. My net total for the trip was a loss of 800. A significant portion of that was a single hand with 3 splits and a double down with max bet out and lost all 3 to a dealer 5 card 21.

I will say that overall, compared to my normal gambling trips in Las Vegas for a weekend, my losses were much smaller than I am accustomed to. So, in a sense I feel like it was a success. I did find on a couple occasions I lost the count mid shoe and would play basic strategy until the end, or take a bathroom break and then camp around the corner of some slot machines until I noticed the shoe was over and come back in. I look forward to continuing to practice and hone my skills. I'm not delusional and have no desire to supplement my income thru card counting professionally. I'm grateful that I will be able to play similarly on future trips and even the odds against casino and maybe even be on the positive side of variance from time to time. Thanks everyone who has contributed to my previous posts.

[Freightman]

Tuco
Remember that the spread is your friend. 1-6 spread wonging out is fine. As for that big single hand loss, that’s the way it goes sometimes - you may have just as easily won. For now, as long as you can handle it, don’t worry about mak8ng money - exposure under actual battle conditions will help season you, which is important for the long haul.

Good luck in your counting endeavours.

[CountinCanadian]

I'm not delusional and have no desire to supplement my income thru card counting

Why exactly would that make one delusional?

[stopgambling]

i think he is trying to be modest . Winning is good , if you can put a few more dollars in your pocket all the better . if someone can win a high amount , kudos to them . Even if one is only to win a few nice dinners it is also nice .

[COBeardown95]

IThe biggest issue for me was finding games that were lower minimums with good rules.

I'd stay off the strip to get good rules with lower minimums. That part of town sucks in tourists with their 6-5 games, poor rules and high limits.

It's only a short ride downtown if you're down for that.

[jimmybond007]

Not delusional at all to make money. Just take it in steps. I started out playing with the intention of "breaking even and enjoying my time at the table." That did not last long when I started to win over time.
Sounds like you had low variance. Playing 25$ units you can easily ( and should expect)to win and lose thousands in short order. Something to prepare for and think about going forward. Off strip DD games are going to be a better suit for lower bankrolls.