I ended my year a little early today. I had a real nice year. My blackjack results were in the same upper 5 figure range that I have been experiencing for several years now, just barely topping my previous high of 2010. I did achieve this figure with fewer rounds for a higher win rate. One big difference is that I did not endure the long 6 month losing periods that I had experienced in both 2010 and 2011. As a matter of fact, I had 11 winning months and one very small losing month. Based on that fact, you might think, I would have had a much bigger year, but also absent were any kind of huge upswings that I enjoyed in recent years. I basically just experienced a nice slow incline, rather than the roller-coaster of past years. I think I like this model better. No stress.
In addition to my BJ winnings, I had substantial winnings from two other areas of my AP play that significantly bumped up my total income. A good portion of this other income was from prizes won from drawings and contests as a result of calculated machine play. The goal of this machine play was about generating mail offers that made the predetermined amount of play +EV and worthwhile. These indirect or hidden results that I had not anticipated, turned out to be far superior than anything I imagined. I just didn't see that coming. But, I wonder how sustainable these methods are going to be. VP expert Bob Dancer says that such drawings and contests are part of your expected value. I just view them as bonus earnings. I certainly don't expect to win a car every year.
I did experience more heat than ever before. A total of 13 backoffs, which is very high for me, probably pretty close to my 8 year total prior to this year. But, in breaking them down, 5 occurred with a second non-BJ game that I played this year, and my 8 BJ related backoffs occurred from only 3 properties, 2 particular sweaty stores here in Vegas and 1 in Pennsylvania. So overall, I am not too concerned with the increased backoffs as far as blackjack goes and the second game I played is quickly being phased out by electronic versions of the game anyway.
Christmas week is pretty crowded anyway and not the best conditions for me, but more important my younger brother is coming to town tomorrow for 10 days and I am looking forward to spending time with him and a couple friends and doing some things in and around Vegas and just taking an end of year break from the tables and casinos (except for meals).
Hope everyone else is wrapping up a good year and has an even better holiday season spent with family and friends.
Bookmarks