4 Year Zen: Meeting

[4 Year Zen]

I have been looking at this site for around 3 years now. My question to the members of this site is, "has anyone ever met in person to discuss blackjack over this site?" I have been playing using the Zen for around 3 years as well. I have many questions, although not all concern counting and technical betting. My concerns center around my behavior in the casino. I moved to Las Vegas a month ago, and am afraid of being spotted in the same casinos over and over again. I would really like to meet someone to discuss this over lunch/whatever. I DO NOT wish to meet anyone and pat each other on the back in celebration over our "underground" brotherhood. If you're not interested in meeting, suggestions as to how I should meet someone i.e. trust, assured it is not casino personnel, assurance that they indeed play at least semi-professionally, etc. Any suggestions? Can this be done?

[BigFish1]

> I have been looking at this site for around
> 3 years now. My question to the members of
> this site is, "has anyone ever met in
> person to discuss blackjack over this
> site?" I have been playing using the
> Zen for around 3 years as well. I have many
> questions, although not all concern counting
> and technical betting. My concerns center
> around my behavior in the casino. I moved to
> Las Vegas a month ago, and am afraid of
> being spotted in the same casinos over and
> over again.

Think like a ploppy. Being a regular, they will greet you with open arms.

I would really like to meet
> someone to discuss this over lunch/whatever.
> I DO NOT wish to meet anyone and pat each
> other on the back in celebration over our
> "underground" brotherhood. If
> you're not interested in meeting,
> suggestions as to how I should meet someone
> i.e. trust, assured it is not casino
> personnel, assurance that they indeed play
> at least semi-professionally, etc. Any
> suggestions? Can this be done?

As far as meeting other players, start with email and take it from there. Be patient, as the better, more serious players take longer to meet in general.

I am really BigFish, but I forgot my password and am forced to post as BigFish1

[Parker]

> Think like a ploppy. Being a regular, they
> will greet you with open arms.

Very true. Watch how the other players (not counters) act, and act like them. I have an advantage here, in that I played for many years before I learned to count cards.

> As far as meeting other players, start with
> email and take it from there. Be patient, as
> the better, more serious players take longer
> to meet in general.

Patience is indeed the key. Most advantage players enjoy socializing and comparing notes, but of course nobody wants to hook up with a casino spy. Continue to post and let us get to know you a bit.

> I am really BigFish, but I forgot my
> password and am forced to post as BigFish1

I can fix that for you if you like, but I'll need an e-mail address.

[The Mayor]

One of my favorite parts about going to Vegas is that every trip tends to bring a meeting with one or two new "friends" -- bragging is never the thing, though there always is some comparing notes, but mainly I think we are a rare breed, part of some lost tribe. For me there is a sense of meeting that oh-so-rare brain that really enjoys firing off the same synapses as my own.

But truthfully, it is a difficult veil to penetrate, you need to be known, your names needs to be passed around a bit, if you meet one soon it is a lot easier to meet many more. Trust is so vitally important.

Looking forward to meeting you one of these times,

--Mayor

[4 Year Zen]

I believe that my ambiguous approach stems from being a "tourist" (flying to Vegas twice/three times a year) and now being a "local". I agree with the "open arms" remark, but the blood is pumping three times as fast at the cage when checking out. Yes, I try to play different shifts, and yes, try to play different pits. I think I also fall victim to the TLC Vegas specials on cameras identifying "undesirables". On a different note, today I purchased BJ Attack. Wow. I know I'm a little late, but moving to The Meadows takes months of preparation, and the full time student thing... Thanks for the replies, and I look forward to easing back into regularity here.

[Don Schlesinger]

> On a different note, today I purchased BJ Attack. Wow. I know I'm a little late, but moving to The Meadows takes months of preparation, and
the full time student thing.

You know what they say: Better late than never! :-)

Enjoy!

Don

[Parker]

> I believe that my ambiguous approach stems
> from being a "tourist" (flying to
> Vegas twice/three times a year) and now
> being a "local". I agree with the
> "open arms" remark, but the blood
> is pumping three times as fast at the cage
> when checking out. Yes, I try to play
> different shifts, and yes, try to play
> different pits. I think I also fall victim
> to the TLC Vegas specials on cameras
> identifying "undesirables".

Perhaps your main problem is that you just need to get more comfortable in the casino environment. Relax. Remember, you're supposed to be there to have fun.

Don't be paranioid around pit critters. I think this is one of the biggest mistakes made by neophyte counters. The ploppy does not fear the pitboss. After all, he (or she) is the Bestower of Comps, and is someone to be courted, not avoided.

If I catch a PC looking at me, I do not quickly look away and avoid eye contact. Rather, I look right at him, give him my best Eddie Murphy type grin, together with a "Hey, how ya doin'?" - and hit him up for a comp.

You might consider dropping to red chip level play, just until you become more comfortable in the casino environment. At that level, you will be "below the radar," that is, ignored at all but the worst sweatshops.

You'll probably also do better after you have actually been backed off a time or two, and realize that it is No Big Deal. Most backoffs are of the polite variety. Sure, there are horror stories, but most of these involve high stakes pros who have previously been backed off repeatedly.

> On a
> different note, today I purchased BJ Attack.
> Wow. I know I'm a little late, but moving to
> The Meadows takes months of preparation, and
> the full time student thing... Thanks for
> the replies, and I look forward to easing
> back into regularity here.

Indeed - this one is a must-have. I have over 30 books in my blackjack "library," but thre are only four publications that I take with me on every "road trip," and this is one of them.

[drumz1]

>I would like to know - ...what are the other three books you take with you, and in what priority do you rank them?
Thanks.

Regards,
drumz1

[Parker]

> I would like to know - ...what are the other
> three books you take with you, and in what
> priority do you rank them?

Sure.

1. The aforementioned Blackjack Attack.

2. The latest issue of Current Blackjack News.

3. The Unbalanced Zen II by George C.

4. American Casino Guide by Steve Bourie.

I only carry American Casino Guide to trips other than Las Vegas, since I am pretty familiar with LV - I know where all the casinos are. Also, I always carry a laptop and most of the information in the book can be obtained at their excellent website, www.americancasinoguide.com.

I have been using the UBZII count for long enough that I probably could get away without carrying the book, but I find George C.'s sage advice to be comforting when on the road. Besides, it doesn't take up much space.

I suppose I could despense with CBJN as well, since I can access TrackJack (and CBJN, for that matter) online.

Which would leave me with only . . . .

Being familiar with Don's computer expertise, I do not expect to see Blackjack Attack Online any time soon. :-)

Although now that I think about it, "Don's Domain" is pretty close.

[Don Schlesinger]

> Which would leave me with only . . . .

> Being familiar with Don's computer
> expertise, I do not expect to see Blackjack
> Attack Online any time soon. :-)

Safest bet you'll ever make. 100% EV! :-)

> Although now that I think about it,
> "Don's Domain" is pretty close.

We try. And may soon try harder.

Don

[drumz1]

My PC was in the repair shop getting a program I downloaded pulled out of it, as I was too dumb to do it myself, and when I got it back, I couldn't help but notice that all of Clark Cante's posts were gone.

I'd like to thank you for that, also. :-)

Regards,
drumz1

[BlackCloud]

Geeze I thought these guys knew it all.

> Safest bet you'll ever make. 100% EV! :-)

> We try. And may soon try harder.

> Don