Frustrated: When does it become "long term?"

[Parker]

> Are you sure? :-)

> What you meant to write was, "As the count
> increases, if the dealer shows a card below 7, he is
> more likely to break," right? :-)

Of course. The dealer will actually be less likely to break with a "non-stiff" upcard showing when the count is high. That's obvious . . . isn't it?

My main point was that whether the player hits or stands, or where the player is sitting, will have no influence on the likelihood of the dealer breaking.

> Stop taking those shortcuts! :-)

The reader is expected to read what I'm thinking, not merely what I have written. :-)

[SpiderMan]

> You need ls or a pitch game to cut down the swings.

Swings in pitch games are more severe than shoes, especially if you skip your bets.

[Little Ben]

Understood :-) The fact that he was mocking traditional methods of counting made me believe he was on to something at first. I must admit, I was jealous.

I've seen the light and after a brief experimentation with the Aussie style; i've decided to forget it.

Cheers.

Little Ben

[Frustrated]

Sorry for taking so long to post again. Thanks for the replies. I have determined that I am simply the unluckiest guy in the world. I went to the casinos three times sice I posted that message, and lost all three times again. Last night, the dealer must have gotten twenty blackjacks. I got three.

I don't think you guys can help me at this point. I mean, how is wonging out more often going to prevent the dealer from getting twenty every hand that the count is high? How is adding additional index plays going to help me win a double down of 11 vs. 5 with my max bet out? Those are what has been killing me. Also, please don't suggest that I play with fewer decks. They simply aren't available in my area.

I just hope my luck changes sometime soon. The math is just not working for me.

[Wolverine]

Frustrated,
I can feel your pain, because I've been there, done that. In a horrible game of "oneupmanship," I will even tell you that it was ONE particular casino that this "frustration" was occuring in! I would win everywhere I went except this one place! 20 after 20, dealer blackjacks, losing doubles, etc... I've seen what you are describing!

Anyway, I vowed to avoid the joint and I've been doing just fine ever since. The store had my number, that simple. No rhyme, no reason. They just kicked my butt every time. My advice: it will get better, IF you are truly applying the mathematics correctly. If one casino is kicking your butt, leave! Don't play there.

Do you have computer simulation software like CVCX? To truly test your skills, your betting system, etc... you really need to run through the CVCX software. It will help you get better. Worth every penny. Norm is about to come out with the "next" version (4.0 I believe) so waiting to buy that version may be prudent unless Norm is going to "upgrade" you when 4.0 comes out, from your recent 3.x purchase.

2005 was a losing year for me too. However, in keeping track of my stats, I learned things and could see some of the positive things that happened to me this year playing blackjack. CVCX helped me refine my game. If you don't want to get CVCX, or have it already, maybe taking time to seek out a mentor would be helpful.

Hope my post was helpful. I can truly say I have been in your shoes, and I didn't like them either, but I vowed to learn, adapt, and overcome! You can do it too. Good luck.

[Designated Driver]

How can I find a blackjack mentor? I am going to be in Vegas for a bit and would be very interested in getting a more experienced(professional) players perspective on the game, my playing/ideas, etc. And of course I would just like to talk to and learn from somebody who is knowledgable about blackjack in person.

Please respond if you have any thoughts or know of anybody.

Thanks,
Desi. D.

> Do you have computer simulation software like CVCX? To
> truly test your skills, your betting system, etc...
> you really need to run through the CVCX software. It
> will help you get better. Worth every penny. Norm is
> about to come out with the "next" version
> (4.0 I believe) so waiting to buy that version may be
> prudent unless Norm is going to "upgrade"
> you when 4.0 comes out, from your recent 3.x purchase.

> 2005 was a losing year for me too. However, in keeping
> track of my stats, I learned things and could see some
> of the positive things that happened to me this year
> playing blackjack. CVCX helped me refine my game. If
> you don't want to get CVCX, or have it already, maybe
> taking time to seek out a mentor would be helpful.