blending in while scouting

**DatabaseGuy** · 10-08-2016, 01:18 AM

As for identifying best conditions, you just walk around until you see a good table.

The best table obviously is a shoe game, one deck or less in the discard tray, only one or two players, great pen, you've just witnessed a lot of low cards and one of the two players is leaving because he thinks the shoe is bad (sign that the count is actually high).

A bit less appealing but still good: bored dealer, lazy night, the PB is a dealer, empty discard tray, all cards layed out in two arcs.

The worst is lots of clueless ploppies who will slow the game to a crawl, smokers, stressed out dealer and PBs actively looking for counters.

**ZeeBabar** · 10-08-2016, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by DatabaseGuy

As for identifying best conditions, you just walk around until you see a good table.

The best table obviously is a shoe game, one deck or less in the discard tray, only one or two players, great pen, you've just witnessed a lot of low cards and one of the two players is leaving because he thinks the shoe is bad (sign that the count is actually high).

A bit less appealing but still good: bored dealer, lazy night, the PB is a dealer, empty discard tray, all cards layed out in two arcs.

The worst is lots of clueless ploppies who will slow the game to a crawl, smokers, stressed out dealer and PBs actively looking for counters.

i don't see how the second is less appealing than the first. If you can get in heads up play starting a new deck as opposed to not knowing the count...

**BoSox** · 10-08-2016, 06:26 AM

Fenix, I recommend you try to find the slowest times to play in a casino. Meaning the less people playing "more hands per hour" the better. You are looking to find out how the casino handles these slow periods. Do they play the crowd, by only opening enough tables to keep them full, or will they have idle dealers "think wonging opportunities" waiting for the crowd to arrive? Find out what happens when playing heads up and you wong out, if the dealer reshuffles or leaves the cards as is, for a period of time. See if you can get a reshuffle by asking. Find out if dealers have some discretion on the placement of the cut card or is the house policy strictly enforced. If house policy on cuts is lax, take notes in private on dealers you like and the shift they work. Remember to always blend in on wagers,and you must learn what are the casino betting tolerance levels, NOT YOUR LEVELS THEIRS.

Finding good conditions also has its drawbacks. Slow times in casinos requires more caution as the Pit and the Eye have less people to watch, casinos tolerance levels, as well as your level of play has a big role in this. Do not camp out when its slow take brakes, and blend in when you are playing, do not try to win every dollar in the casino at once you want to be able to return don't you.

**Bubbles** · 10-08-2016, 07:29 AM

What to look for in a store was not what I was asking. Thank you for taking the time to give extra advice though.

I seem to do things quite differently than others. I like to get the major stuff laid out first. I first find the store in my GPS and drive to it. Then, after I figure out parking, I like to find the tables that I am willing to play so I know where they are within the casino. This doesn't mean they are playable in that moment, maybe they're full or not opened yet, just that they exist in that location within that casino. Apparently while figuring this portion out there is something about me that makes the pit watch me very intensely. I was asking about ideas on avoiding this specific bit. At this point, I either say to hell with it and just sit at a table and play with the pit breathing down my neck, or I leave and come back another time depending on what I feel I can get away with. For all future trips (or the current one if I stay), I just quickly look to see how many ploppies are at each playable table. I make note of the time for future reference to how busy it is. If I know of any particular dealers I like, I look to see where they are too. I then decide if it's worth sitting, or if I'd rather do something else for the next hour. As for betting, I just look around me and see what everyone's bet looks like. I make sure my bets look similar in size and colour. I like to make sure someone is betting a bit more than me too if possible. I know better than to camp. Most of the latter part of this post isn't stuff I give much conscious thought. It's all common sense.

**mofungoo** · 10-08-2016, 08:13 AM

A good way to scout and not seem suspicious is to be there with a member of the opposite sex and casually stroll around the casino with them. Act like you are explaining the game to them while you observe. No red flags raised at all.

**ZeeBabar** · 10-08-2016, 12:23 PM

Felix says "At this point, I either say to hell with it and just sit at a table and play with the pit breathing down my neck". When this happens, flat bet the minimum,stand on a 15 against a 7-10 or some such and they will go away.

**Bubbles** · 10-08-2016, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by moses

The only red flag that is raised is when the pit says "every time I see you" there is a new lady. Not words a date wants to hear. Trust me. Lol

Hahaha. Yeah, if I heard that on a date I wouldn't be too happy.

You're right though. I have met up with a friend and walked around the casino with them showing them the whole place, high limit and all. No one batted an eye and I easily could have been scouting. In fact, I did use it as an opportunity to see if anything had changed in the high limit area and counted a couple of shoes while there. No one batted an eye.

I really like the idea of a date looking excursion through the pits. It would allow way more things to be initially observed without looking like a lost, creepy vulture. I'll try picking a guy up at the bar and see if he'll show me around the casino, especially all the tables, when I goto new places.

**Bubbles** · 10-08-2016, 05:26 PM

Would they get mad about me borrowing their customer, or would the guy get mad about not getting lucky?

**DatabaseGuy** · 10-08-2016, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by ZeeBabar

i don't see how the second is less appealing than the first. If you can get in heads up play starting a new deck as opposed to not knowing the count...

Beecause in the first case you're joining a table with dwck with a great count.

In the second case you're joining a table with a deck which may have a great count or not.

**ZeeBabar** · 10-08-2016, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by DatabaseGuy

Beecause in the first case you're joining a table with dwck with a great count.

In the second case you're joining a table with a deck which may have a great count or not.

you are assuming the first had a great count. There is nothing in the OP to suggest it, just random conclusions.

**Bodarc** · 10-09-2016, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by Fenix

Whenever I walk into a new store, it seems like there is a bright neon sign above my head flashing, "counter, counter, this one's a counter."

Fenix, I think you are being very paranoid for no reason. Don't worry about trying to camouflage your scouting. First of all you're a female and men are going to look at you. It's in their genes. That doesn't mean they suspect you of being a card counter. Being female is money in the bank for you. Take advantage of it.

All you have to do is walk into a casino, stand around and watch a table for a bit. Or, you can sit down at a table and watch for a few minutes. Just say you're killing time and just want to sit a few minutes, or your ankle is sore, or your back hurts or you want to smoke a cigarette or you want something to drink. There are a million reasons why you might want to sit at a table. I do it constantly.

So stop being paranoid and get on with your scouting. If a pit boss is watching you, it's because you have a nice looking tush or something. He definitely isn't suspecting you of being a card counter.

**BoSox** · 10-09-2016, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by Fenix

Whenever I walk into a new store, it seems like there is a bright neon sign above my head flashing, "counter, counter, this one's a counter." Or whatever the sign says that makes them watch me intently. I believe it is due to how I appear when I'm lost and looking for a table.

Fenix, I figured this all out, when you are walking around scouting a new store you have to stop and put away the two decks of cards that you are cutting in each hand, like the picture aside of your name. Besides my humor just listen to the good advice Bodarc said in the above post.