Brief trip report

[ZeeBabar]

I did a two night trip thru Southern Indiana for the first time and got pleasantly surprised. First was the Casino Aztar in Evansville. Nice casino, nice people, well lit, few of the smokers and losers that one found surrounded by in downtown St. Louis or, downtown Las Vegas. Mostly six deck games much more deeply dealt than I expected. I suppose part of it is that they are hand shuffled and dealers dont seem to want to shuffle too often. The ones I saw and played were mostly red chip tables, $10 -$200 only. Little heat that I could see. Won $200,

After that I drove to the town made famous with the greatest white basketball player of our time, about 95 miles away. Scenic drive by the river. I would bet its beautiful later in the Spring when the leaves are out. I expected a small casino but it was a moderate sized one, clean and well lit. Again, good folks all around. Games were 6 deck and deeply dealt. Won about $350.

On to the Horse Shoe casino in Elizabeth, Indiana, about 62 miles away. It was typically like other Horseshoe casinos elsewhere. ASM's, bad penetration (cut off 2 decks) but I was still able to win $300 and then I slept at a cheap motel in New Albany, IN.

Next morning, I drove to Florence, IN and to the most beautiful casino of the trip. The Belterra. Quite big and quite lovely. They had higher minimums ($10 - $3000) and DD on both, the main floor ($25 min) and HL ($50 min). All hand shuffled. They told me they had ASM's but quit those some time back. Played some $25 min. DD games. While the casino was crowded on the main floor, the $25 DD was at one end and I was able to play either heads up or with one other player. The regular dealer dealt for 40 minutes, gave about 65%-70% pen. The relief dealer dealt for 20 minutes and cut off a deck. They had a very unusual and time wasting procedure at every dealer change. First, they quit as soon as another dealer came, which was frustrating when the count was positive and relieving when count was negative. The new dealer would then take the DD, count out 5 rows of 10 cards each plus 2 cards on the 6th row. Gather up these, then do the same with the remaining deck. After this, they hand shuffled and dealt. I won $#500 and left.

I drove ab out 20 miles over to a town called the Rising Sun and to a casino of the same name. Smaller but a very pretty casino. 6 decks, hand shuffled, only one deck or less cut off. $10=$200 max. Played for a while, won about $200.

I went back the 20 miles to Belterra Casino, played some more DD and won $100. However, the cashier's window had long lines so I took gthe chips and went looking for a motel (Belterra rooms were over $230 on the weekend) and the only nearby motel, a cheap one, still cost $120. I stayed there overnight.

I had visited 5 casinos, played 6 sessions and won about $1500 from when I started off from the St. Louis area. The plan was to drive on to the Cincinnati area, play a couple of casinos there and then hit all the above casinos on the way back. However, I had $100 in chips from the night before, so I stopped by the Belterra to cash in. I saw the DD table empty and decided to play instead. Big mistake. I went down and stayed down, played close to 4 hours, sometimes heads up, sometimes with another player. The game was great, about 65% cut off. However, it was my worst day in 5 years. Max bets went bad, dealer either got a 20 or 21, it seemed every time. Once, with my $200 max bet and 20 with a dealer up card of 4, dealer has an Ace under, hits it with a 6. I lost all the money I had won the previous two days plus $400.

A wonderful trip had gone bad. I was upset, so I got back in my car abandoned the rest of the trip (which had stops in Cincinnati and back at all the casinos on the way) and drove home. After getting home I cursed myself for abandoning the planned trip after losing just $400 of the trip bank roll ($10k) I started out with. I also think I should have not played as longs as I did (4+ hours) in one session. I think that maybe the pit or dealer would remember me there but I wont be going to Indiana for at least a few months.

In any case, Indiana is an under rated state for BJ. Casinos were not close by in the same town but the drive was beautiful. I know I made mistakes, especially the way I reacted to the long losing session (lost about $2k), the loss of confidence and abandoning the trip. I have done that a few times when I have taken driving trips.

Well, the next couple would be to Oklahoma and later thru Iowa.

[Stealth]

This is a perfect example of why you should not be giving people advice.

You can't even take your own advice to do the right thing!

What is it in this post that you might think is helpful to anyone?

[Dbs6582]

This is a perfect example of why you should not be giving people advice.

You can't even take your own advice to do the right thing!

What is it in this post that you might think is helpful to anyone?

As entertainment? I enjoyed reading it. I like the way Zee writes and his honesty. I think people can learn from his real life experiences too. I don’t take his posts so much as adivce, as this is what happened to him on his trip.

[albee]

Zee, been there! Take today as an example. Stopped at a store that has a fair game. My intention was to play for a bit, then take a break and play again after lunch. I started with good luck and doubled my buy in within an hour. I stuck to my plan of doubling buy-in, cash out. Later that day I was about to go back and ''press' my luck a little more, then said no......come back another day to make more $$$. I have returned to play so many times and had my ass kicked, not doing it anymore. Greed is like pigs....you get slaughtered. Play the game you're comfortable playing and have no reservations on just getting up and leaving when you're ahead.......

[ZeeBabar]

This is a perfect example of why you should not be giving people advice.

You can't even take your own advice to do the right thing!

What is it in this post that you might think is helpful to anyone?

Stealth, just like Tiger Woods might find my struggles of no interest to him, you may find my struggles as useless. However, I post my struggles for the average person. I relate to the struggles of others and when I hear others share their travails, it feels good to know I am not alone.

This AP stuff is not easy for us mortals.

[RCJH]

This AP stuff is not easy for us mortals.

You're missing the point(s).

What you do is not AP. You are an overly emotional card counter. Haven't you learned it's all one session? But, you give advice AS IF you are an AP. Stealth is 100% correct. You are in no position to give advice. An AP would have:
1. Not camped a DD game for four hours.
2. Not abandoned a trip after losing $400. That's two--only two--max bets down, and you tuck tail and run.
3. Not posted a trip report within 48 hours of getting home.
4. Not shared specifics about a game ON AN OPEN PUBLIC FORUM that they liked. This is why other APs won't tell you anything--you blab.

[stopgambling]

I read it as a story of other counters . just don't name the stores and use exact dates . i read it as entertainment.

[Dbs6582]

You're missing the point(s).

What you do is not AP. You are an overly emotional card counter. Haven't you learned it's all one session? But, you give advice AS IF you are an AP. Stealth is 100% correct. You are in no position to give advice. An AP would have:
1. Not camped a DD game for four hours.
2. Not abandoned a trip after losing $400. That's two--only two--max bets down, and you tuck tail and run.
3. Not posted a trip report within 48 hours of getting home.
4. Not shared specifics about a game ON AN OPEN PUBLIC FORUM that they liked. This is why other APs won't tell you anything--you blab.

You’re missing the point RCJH. Show me one place in Zee’s post where he “gives advice”. Hint. You won’t be able to do it.

This was Zee’s trip report, nothing more or nothing less. Why do you have to attack a post for being what it is? He never claimed what he did was right. In fact, he implied people shouldn’t follow his example, which I would think you'd think is good advice.

I understand why some would rather Zee not share specifics about a casino or game, but I liked it and didn’t think there was anything in his post that would get anybody in trouble that played in the area. If a casinos person is lurking, it lets them know APs lose playing the game, even a great DD game.

I travel to Indiana occasionally and now I’m more enticed to go to one of these casinos during one of my visits. Thanks Zee for all the detailed information.

[ummagumma]

This is a perfect example of why you should not be giving people advice.

You can't even take your own advice to do the right thing!

What is it in this post that you might think is helpful to anyone?

I always make sure I read both your and zee's posts. They're both valuable in different ways. This post of zee's was useful, not just as entertainment but with good info about some casinos and also as a life lesson. Seeing that other's do exactly what you've done in the past is a great way to confirm the ways you must change. And lessons like that are as valuable as the maths imo...

[21forme]

You're missing the point(s).

What you do is not AP. You are an overly emotional card counter. Haven't you learned it's all one session? But, you give advice AS IF you are an AP. Stealth is 100% correct. You are in no position to give advice. An AP would have:
1. Not camped a DD game for four hours.
2. Not abandoned a trip after losing $400. That's two--only two--max bets down, and you tuck tail and run.
3. Not posted a trip report within 48 hours of getting home.
4. Not shared specifics about a game ON AN OPEN PUBLIC FORUM that they liked. This is why other APs won't tell you anything--you blab.

Another outstanding summation.

Zee, since your "retirement from play" post several weeks ago, you're back doing a rinse and repeat. The "average person" does not participate on this forum. This is an AP forum. Seems the only thing you're finally getting right is playing unrated, as you mentioned staying in non-casino hotels.

[ZeeBabar]

You're missing the point(s).

What you do is not AP. You are an overly emotional card counter. Haven't you learned it's all one session? But, you give advice AS IF you are an AP. Stealth is 100% correct. You are in no position to give advice. An AP would have:
1. Not camped a DD game for four hours.
2. Not abandoned a trip after losing $400. That's two--only two--max bets down, and you tuck tail and run.
3. Not posted a trip report within 48 hours of getting home.
4. Not shared specifics about a game ON AN OPEN PUBLIC FORUM that they liked. This is why other APs won't tell you anything--you blab.

Could you please point out to me where, in my post, is any advice? Since when does "sharing" become advice? I would have thought that some folks might find it interesting that there are playable games in Southern Indiana.

[ZeeBabar]

Another outstanding summation.

Zee, since your "retirement from play" post several weeks ago, you're back doing a rinse and repeat. The "average person" does not participate on this forum. This is an AP forum. Seems the only thing you're finally getting right is playing unrated, as you mentioned staying in non-casino hotels.

21forme, why did it take so long for you to point out to me that the "general Discussion" page on this forum is for AP's only, that no AP wannabe's, newbies, etc., are welcome here? Perhaps you can check with Norm and point it out to him?

I posted a simple report with mistakes I made and here are 3 accomplished AP's (you, Stealth and RCJH) who never needed to even read my thread, taking the time to take shots at me. Why?

[21forme]

Zee, I've taken plenty of shots at you in the past, but this isn't one of them.

I never said AP newbie/wannabes aren't welcome. However, they should provide a semblance of learning and progression in skills over time. Just look at Don's recent response to a newbie in another recent thread. He asks a question without giving the necessary info, Don responds telling him what info he needs to provide, and he keeps justifying his lack of info, still not providing it. This is the kind of person doomed to failure in this endeavor.

This is not a forum for ploppy voodoo. Norm has pointed that out plenty of times and has moved plenty of threads, including yours, to the voodoo forum.
If you want to emulate a relatively new AP who "gets it," start paying attention to RCJH.