Hit my annual goal a bit early

[ZeeBabar]

Just totaled up to see if I had won $15k after expenses. As of today, I have won $22,565 in 287 hours of actual time at tables with $6385 in expenses for a bit over $16k. Following my last posting about this and Freightman's suggestions that I cut my expenses down, I have had some success cutting back (means fewer too short trips). 5 winning months (highest is $8800), 3 losing months (biggest loss month was $5700) and one where I won only $215 (with 43 hours and $900 nin expenses that made it a losing month as well).

Last year, I had taken the family overseas at Christmas. This year, I have a wedding to attend in Dallas, so I will increase my BR to $70k and I just ordered a guitar (and Addidas sneakers) for my son.

Thanks to Dr. Wong, BJ21, BJ21 archives, Norm and his wonderful forum where under the nastiness, I found enough good stuff for this enjoyable way to spend my retirement playing BJ recreationaly and sharing my stories (T3, I will remind people every so often not to take my postings as advice).

Now to see if I can get to $20k by the end of December.

[Freightman]

Zee
Just to be clear, I said that your expenses were too high in relation to your revenue. Your numbers above show an expense equating to 28% - too high. A bad run will decimate you.

I also specified that your flying trips (based on the numbers at that time) created a higher expense, that you needed to increase your effective spread to compensate.

Of course, there’s more, but I think you get the drift.

[ZeeBabar]

Zee
Just to be clear, I said that your expenses were too high in relation to your revenue. Your numbers above show an expense equating to 28% - too high. A bad run will decimate you.

I also specified that your flying trips (based on the numbers at that time) created a higher expense, that you needed to increase your effective spread to compensate.

Of course, there’s more, but I think you get the drift.

I get it, thanks. I have a difficult time increasing my spread primarily because I hated the couple of times I was backed off or flat bet or had counter measures taken. I hate a pit guy glaring at me. My issue that I want people to like me. I have stayed with a max bet under $200 (most often under $175). I finally spent more time playing red chip 6 deck with some success because there is little heat there and spreading 1 x $10 to 2 x $90.

[Dbs6582]

I get it, thanks. I have a difficult time increasing my spread primarily because I hated the couple of times I was backed off or flat bet or had counter measures taken. I hate a pit guy glaring at me. My issue that I want people to like me. I have stayed with a max bet under $200 (most often under $175). I finally spent more time playing red chip 6 deck with some success because there is little heat there and spreading 1 x $10 to 2 x $90.

Congratulations Zee! That’s a great milestone. Thanks for sharing.

My goal is to be able to do what you’ve been able to do. You have a more aggressive spread than I have and you’ve made more money than I have. I’m also concerned about heat and being backed off. This is why I don’t spread too much. I agree, once I start putting some big bets out there it gets the pit staring at me, which I don’t like. My goal is to get along, have a good time and make some money. I’m not trying to “bring down the house.” Lol. It doesn’t look like you are either. I want the “house” to keep standing so I can keep coming back.

While I know you don’t try to give advice, I take your posts very seriously and try to follow much of what you do. Thanks!

[Freightman]

Congratulations Zee! That’s a great milestone. Thanks for sharing.

My goal is to be able to do what you’ve been able to do. You have a more aggressive spread than I have and you’ve made more money than I have. I’m also concerned about heat and being backed off. This is why I don’t spread too much. I agree, once I start putting some big bets out there it gets the pit staring at me, which I don’t like. My goal is to get along, have a good time and make some money. I’m not trying to “bring down the house.” Lol. It doesn’t look like you are either. I want the “house” to keep standing so I can keep coming back.

While I know you don’t try to give advice, I take your posts very seriously and try to follow much of what you do. Thanks!

Think im going to puke.

[ZeeBabar]

DBS, thanks. Please note that my first priority is not maximizing EV, it's just passing time without losing $$$. As T3 and others have pointed out, a lot of my decisions are incorrect from a money making point. I am perfectly okay with a day at the casino without making money. I often insure for less, double for less, don't double A,8, depart even on a positive shoe and other such incorrect plays.

My first priority is to have a pleasant day and preserve it. So, for example, today, I cashed in for $200. When I had $500 in front of me, I put $250 aside (now assured I will not lose today) and played with the other $250. Now, at TC+4, I bet my $175 max bet and lost. TC is now +5 but I only bet the other $75 (not touch the $250 set aside. If I lost that bet, I would go home leaving a positive shoe but pleased that I spent 2 hours, came home a winner). Luckily, I won the $75 bet, bet $150 on last hand and luckily won that too. It's wrong but I play for fun, the winning is a bonus. Don't follow me.

[Dog Hand]

ZeeBabar,

If you have a free day in Dallas, you might take a drive (or one of the numerous casino buses) 170 miles east on Interstate 20 to the Shreveport - Bossier City area in northwest Louisiana. Several casinos there have $25 min. DD games with rules better than those of your "home" casinos.

Hope this helps!

Dog Hand

[Midwest Player]

Zee, its not over until its over. However, it appears you are far enough ahead that you don't have to worry about having a losing year.

I once thought I was far enough ahead that I wouldn't have a losing year. Back in 2006 in the middle of Oct after 195 hours of play I found myself a little more than $2,200 ahead for the year. Then all hell broke lose. I had a couple of back to back 4 figure losing sessions. For a red chip player a 4 figure loss is quite devastating. I would actually lose on 6 of the last 9 times I played that year. However on Dec 22nd I was still $91 in the black for the year. I would play two more days that year and lose on both. I finished the year almost $1,300 in the red.

Now this year is not going the best for me. I sure hope I'm far enough ahead not to have a losing year, but I learned my lesson long ago that its not over until its over. I only see myself playing a few more times this year and reaching my goal is fading as each day goes by. My goal is still possible, but it looks more and more unlikely. After 217 hours of play this year I'm only at 70% of goal.

[BoSox]

My first priority is to have a pleasant day and preserve it. So, for example, today, I cashed in for $200. When I had $500 in front of me, I put $250 aside (now assured I will not lose today) and played with the other $250. Now, at TC+4, I bet my $175 max bet and lost. TC is now +5 but I only bet the other $75 (not touch the $250 set aside. If I lost that bet, I would go home leaving a positive shoe but pleased that I spent 2 hours, came home a winner). Luckily, I won the $75 bet, bet $150 on last hand and luckily won that too. It's wrong but I play for fun, the winning is a bonus. Don't follow me.

ZeeBabar, after four years of learning about the game of blackjack this is what you have become? At least a perfect basic strategy player would periodically split/double multi-able times. You are a disgrace. Do yourself a favor and find a new hobby.

[ummagumma]

Nice one ZBB. The honesty is refreshing too.

I haven't been on a trip for a while now as good games in Europe are few and far between. Any European player that wants to prove otherwise most welcome !

[21forme]

ZeeBabar, after four years of learning about the game of blackjack this is what you have become? At least a perfect basic strategy player would periodically split/double multi-able times. You are a disgrace. Do yourself a favor and find a new hobby.

I disagree, Bosox. IMO, Zee's post above is the best post he's ever made.

He explains his motivations and why he does what he does. This is the antithesis of his usual dogmatic posts saying "OSN doesn't matter, playing rated doesn't matter, books don't matter, etc."

He should include this "disclaimer" in every future post he makes, so everyone is reminded of why he plays as he does (which will lessen the ridicule he gets), and that the style shouldn't be emulated by anyone who considers him/herself an AP.

[Dbs6582]

Don't follow me.

Zee, thanks for the follow up post. I don’t follow everything you do. I always double for full amount and split when I’m sopposed to, even when it’s painfull like splitting 8s vs 10 with my big bet. Sometimes I won’t hit 12 vs 5 or 6 in slightly negative counts when I probably should since I’m not in the mood to deal with the wrath of the ploppies. Lol. But for the most part I make the right play.

As far as how you play at the end on a winning trip, I do this too, even before I read your posts. I agree it’s nice driving home a winner. I know we should think in the long run, but peace of mind by having a winning trip is worth it to back off on my big bet at the end of a trip to ensure the overall trip is a winner. It’s refreshing to see other players do this same thing. While we should play like robots, we are human and it’s a good feeling to end a trip as a winner.

I also play rated most the time. I’ve tried playing unrated, but for the most part I play rated. It reduces heat and I like all the comps that come with playing rated. With this said, I fully understand why the pros play unrated. They are playing at very different stakes than I am.

[CountinCanadian]

Think im going to puke.

I honestly thought he was mocking him. When he said "I want the "house" to keep standing so I can keep coming back." I thought it was an obvious joke. Guess not...