Question:
On page 106-7 of his book, "Blackjack for Blood," Brice Carlson recommend that -- for maximum longevity -- a pro counter should only play for one or two 45 minutes sessions on a shift, and then only come back to play after THREE MONTHS (!) have passed.
What do you guys think?
This just seems like such a small amount of time.
I mean, if I am losing bigtime -- then why not stay longer?
Thanks!
JB
> On page 106-7 of his book, "Blackjack
> for Blood," Brice Carlson recommend
> that -- for maximum longevity -- a pro
> counter should only play for one or two 45
> minutes sessions on a shift, and then only
> come back to play after THREE MONTHS (!)
> have passed.
It's really a function of how many casinos with decent games are available to you and how big you play. And realize, too, that in some casinos a red chip player is a big player while in others a green chip player does not even get noticed. That said, if you think that you are 'under the radar' in a given casino, you can play significantly more than two 45 minute sessions per shift per three months. I think Mr. Carlson's advice is aimed at high stakes players and, in their case, it is correct. It is easy to wear out your welcome spreading black (or bigger!) chips and playing a winning counting game. That said, if you live and play primarily in a place with very few casinos, then you're probably going to have to push the limit when it comes to overall playing hours. If that is the case, you're going to have to work on your act, disguising of winnings and overall camouflage to attain any degree of longevity.
> I mean, if I am losing bigtime -- then why
> not stay longer?
I used to think like this until the day I got backed off after a monster losing session.
If you want to optimize the amount of time of actual positive EV play you get in, then it would behoove you to do a lot of preliminary scouting. In doing so you can develop a long list of good games, shift by shift, and plan a month's worth of playing at a time. You could plan a lot more than that too, but conditions change so frequently and with such volatility that attempting to do so can be futile. Then you just stick to your schedule, log the hours of positive EV PT and, with luck, watch your bankroll rise.
> I think 98% nailed your answer. So much depends, in my opinion, on what options you have with respect to good games and the casino tolerance for your betting level. One thing I will emphasize that 98% mentioned---now days losing buys you virtually nothing at knowledgeable casinos. If you are watched at these places they will do a good job evaluating your game---whether you win or lose an individual session is meaningless to them. If they watch and decide you having a winning game, then your days are over at their place.
JohnnyB, 45min session limit is really good advice. After a while it feels natural and when 45 minutes are up, you're internal clock is saying it's time to go.
The only thing I would do differently is I would come back for another 45 minute session on another shift.
Regards
AltoBajo
Excellent advice from 98% & Double21. I would add that so much depends on where you're playing. Vegas has far more heat than casinos in outlying areas in other states. There are almost zero counters who'll visit a far-flung .53 DD game with .9 pen on some indian reservation so there is little radar to be under and, at most, maybe a little countermeasure with pen.
You find the most heat where the most counters are. There are a few games I play in Vegas where the rules aren't as good and I get high tolerance as a result.. simply because all the counters are running around with their copy of CBJN focusing on everything else.
It's also important to know the ramifications of a backoff. If you're backed off in PoDunk NM. and weren't ever planning on going back this decade, who cares. Conversely, if you're in Vegas 9 to 12 weeks a year, be very vigilent and flexable because it takes very few backoffs to get your mug on flyers and databases all over town.
Spok
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