Johnny Blaize: Vegas banter from a neophyte

[Johnny Blaize]

I was at Vegas during the prior weekdays. I expected it to be less urban and vast; it's a large, populated city. I thought I could cover every place, but it is a lot more time consuming than I thought - good for me. I look forward to returning soon.

I was also a bit surprised how "low rolling" the majority of the places are. I couldn't believe that some places actually call out "green action". This is not to sound pretentious, but I was hoping for a higher $/hr. After seeing many hours in the Newport at Foxwoods Connecticut, you can imagine my initial paranoia. The West seems to abandon the "the better the game, the higher the min" ubiquitous rule in the damn forsaken East - 2 deck games with $5 mins no mid shoe prime hours. If you could put that in Atlantic City, it'll probably be a $200 min. Also, there are no game rules on the signs. I don't feel comfortable asking, "Yeah, you guys have S17,DAS,BJ 3:2, and no 2 card doubling restrictions? Don't worry though, I can't play for shit." I stuck out like a sore thumb. I got the boot at one place in 15 minutes. Where are my ploppy friends accommodating my play with heavy black?
I tapered down my action to light green for the next place. It was a bit better, but still I got the boot - but at least I made it for 45 minutes! I was spreading 1 - 8 at a good 2 deck. I managed to throw down a max bet at least 5 times without realizing that the dealing ended, only to retract it to my minimum and feeling like an ass in the process. When I grew a little bit smarter, I felt the mind games with the dealer - are you going to deal me another round? What are you going to bet? You first, no you, games. I knew he knew. I called it a session and cashed out. It was a bit over a grand. Now, again, I don't want to sound pretentious here, but I can't believe the scrutiny over this. There's a telephone call to the pit verifying where I played. They want my name written down. What the %$&^*???? I cash out, and then I see security coming up to me. "The casino doesn't want you to play here anymore."

I leave. By now I'm scared to throw down $50. For the remainder of the day I decide just observe, learn, and spot the times where higher action is welcomed. Also, just being outside in the nice weather is a welcoming change. The atmosphere is jovial, and despite me - playing. It's certainly a contrast to the dead coldness of AC. The Boulevard, however, could use a bit more pornography pamphlets.
Let me cut this rambling short. Maybe, it's just situational variance. I managed to get a few games at higher places, but I felt like there was imminent heat. I don't bring attention to myself, at least I don't think I do. Any tips on longevity from you fellas would be much appreciated.
Good cards to all.

[methodman]

Welcome to Vegas,its not what it used to be.
Play min, then wait for the unreal time then go for the max bet,do this once then leave for the next
casino. An overly agressive strategy that works,if you got the rocks.

[Parker]

There are over 100 casinos offering live blackjack in Las Vegas. Back east, there is a supply & demand situation - there are more big action bettors than there are available tables, so the small bettor gets shut out.

In Las Vegas, with over 2000 blackjack tables, they cannot afford to ignore the small bettor. So, it is possible to find a good, uncrowded $5 game, even on Saturday night, if one knows where to look.

Naturally, a casino that welcomes $5 bettors is going to be less tolerant of counters. Take a table full of nickel bettors, give them free drinks, pay the dealer, pit critter, and CW, and the profit margin is already razor thin. If a couple of those players are sharp counters, the profit margin is reduced to nothing.

Heat runs the whole spectrum in Las Vegas. You did not mention specific casinos (probably a wise move on your part), but there are some notorious sweatshops and it sounds like you found a few of them. Other places are more tolerant.

Generally speaking, downtown is more "low roller-ish" and sweatier than the strip.

Las Vegas is run by the bean counters these days. With the shaky economy and current nastiness in the world, business is down. Pit critters may feel that they can show their bosses that they are protecting the bottom line by tossing a lot of counters.

There are not many really good double deck games in Las Vegas right now. The pit knows that this is the preferred game of counters, so they offer lousy pen and watch these games closely. It requires a 1-8 spread to beat a game with 55% pen, and this sort of spread will quickly get unwanted attention. The aspiring advantage player may be further ahead to look for shoes with good rules and pen.

As for knowing those rules, this is where a subscription to TrackJack quickly pays for itself. One can quickly find the rules at any casino in Las Vegas (or elsewhere, for that matter). Better yet, the advanced search features can be used to put together a list of casinos with exactly the desired conditions and rules.

[bond trader]

DON'T:

1. Reduce your max bet because it seems sweaty. Either play at your desired spread or leave and go somewhere else where you can.

2. Pull back your large bet after the dealer calls shuffle and replace it with a minimum bet. It's a dead giveaway. So you leave a $100 bet out there off the top. Your EV is about -40 cents. Big deal.

3. Stay at one table for more than 2 or 3 min-to-max bet cycles (for DD and shoes). Better to leave before they're on to you, and let them move on to watching someone else. Come back the next shift.

4. Sweat the heat. Often times you will get a PC standing next to you simply because you are betting more on one hand of BJ than he takes home that entire shift. Often times they are trying to get a reaction out of you....are you starting to look nervous? Did you start flat-betting? Will he immediately color up an leave? Be a ploppy. The pit boss is watching you play, cool! Talk to him, better yet, ask for a comp, that'll get him off your back.

DO:

1. Get a players card if they badger you for one, or use a friend's card. If you are a ploppy gambler, why wouldn't you want to be rated for comps?

2. Stick to the plan you simmed. A little (evaluated beforehand) cover is fine, bet bigger off the top of the deck, but don't go overboard on cover plays because the pit is watching.

3. Subscribe to TrackJack or CBJN. You'll know all the rules at each place, and have a decent idea which places are not worth the time to stop into.

4. Act like a ploppy. Ham it up with other players, the dealer, and PC. Drink beer (half a beer won't kill you). Don't feel like you need to say something when changing your bet, taking insurance, or anything. No gambler verbally justifies things they do, neither should you. Just do it, and don't outsweat the pit.

Welcome to Las Vegas! It can be quite hot, but it's a dry heat.

BT