Keeping your cool

[Dizzy]

I am fairly new to counting and have had mixed success playing at the tables. I can probably attribute most of my losing sessions from going on tilt after playing very disciplined for a few hours, finally getting into a good count (TC +6 or more), and then losing a number of 8+ unit bets in a row to the dealer. Something inside me snaps, and I start betting very aggressively in any count more than +2 to try and win some money back (way over betting). I know this is a recipe for disaster and question whether I have the self control to become an AP.

So my question to anyone here who considers themselves a successful AP'r, is your self discipline something you always possessed or was it learned? If learned, what do you think about to keep yourself from going over the edge?

Thanks for your input. After reading this forum I realize I have much to learn about AP.

[22 Dreams]

One reason I've never had this problem is because I've played a ton of hands on CVBJ and feel like I've seen it all, both good and bad. Those streaks are inevitable. You have to understand and respect the math of a game that generally only allows you to play at a 1-1.5% advantage.

[blueefficacy]

That is one of the more challenging aspects of AP, and to this day I find sometimes a break is the best course of action if i get murdered.

[Jet]

The bottom line is if you want to be an AP, you will put on the effort. By effort I mean the learning the math. If you know and understand the math then swings become less traumatic. No matter what count you get to, there is always a chance to lose. You must understand this to succeed.

There is also the other discussion of AP is not for everyone. If you are using it as an excuse to gamble...then your losses will be more than you think. Like tthree said, pick which side you are on. Then if you still have the desire to be an AP, put in the effort that is required.

[shadroch]

The more you play, the more patient you will become, but if you have a raging temper and go on tilts, you may not have the right stuff.

[Dizzy]

Thanks all for the opinions. I don't think I'm currently made of the stuff necessary to be an effective AP. I still get so mad when the ploppies are winning all their big bets at tremendous minus counts, and when the count finally goes positive I get destroyed. I'll keep reading and practicing, but I think for now I'll call it quits. Focusing on the math is a good idea. It probably helps to approach the game more analytically and less emotionally.

[splitaces]

Thanks all for the opinions. I don't think I'm currently made of the stuff necessary to be an effective AP. I still get so mad when the ploppies are winning all their big bets at tremendous minus counts, and when the count finally goes positive I get destroyed. I'll keep reading and practicing, but I think for now I'll call it quits. Focusing on the math is a good idea. It probably helps to approach the game more analytically and less emotionally.

The mantra I have used for many years is... "This is one long playing session (not many), trust the math..." Keep putting the correct bets out and making the right index decisions. It works. Don't sweat the short term.

If you play long enough (even on sims), you will see it all...


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[hitthat16]

^ You're right about seeing it all even on sims. Sometimes I can't believe the losing streaks ill go through on sims.. It takes discipline to stick it out even on there. The math will take care of you and the money will come is all I have to tell myself.

[Most Interesting Man]

Yep. If you were to crack open the sims your situation has probably been already played out. So if you're happy with sim results then plug away as planned. Hopefully that type of reassurance will help you keep your cool.

[Matt21]

Hi Dizzy, sorry to hear that you are having a rough start. This is something you will need to sort out immediately, as you will not succeed as an advantage players if you start deviating from your pre-planned strategy (for whatever reason).

In my case my self-discipline was something that was already there when I started playing. However what helped was that I had a lot of positive variance for the first 50-100 hours of my play, so I assumed that I had found the holy grail.

Although I regularly used to "lose my cool" and have violent angry outbursts at the table when I was losing a lot, I never deviated from the way that I was meant to play i.e. following the pre-designed bet ramp. Casino gaming has the beauty that your edge can be pre-calculated and you can have complete faith in the numbers (assuming that you count and spread correctly), this is not something that exists in other endavours such as running a normal business or trading in the financial markets. Maybe knowing that you can rely on the EV numbers, will help you keep your cool.

[Ouchez]

Thanks all for the opinions. I don't think I'm currently made of the stuff necessary to be an effective AP. I still get so mad when the ploppies are winning all their big bets at tremendous minus counts, and when the count finally goes positive I get destroyed. I'll keep reading and practicing, but I think for now I'll call it quits. Focusing on the math is a good idea. It probably helps to approach the game more analytically and less emotionally.

You have made a mistake in your approach, but coming from your own mouth I would agree, call it quits.

Best,
Ouchez

[bebe]

Great info Tthree ,sucks when you get heads up play and the table starts to fill up before half shoe is delt there are 5-6 players.

[ZenKinG]

Getting angry usually is a result of a low bankroll problem and not wanting to lose anymore of that small bankroll, at least this is the case for me.. If i had a big BR, I cant see myself ever getting mad.. Nonetheless, although i get mad with my small BR, I still have never over bet because I got "mad"