I don't use a players card at the local casino (50 minutes away) because I dont want them keeping track of my play. I have very good luck playing BJ. I feel I'm pretty good. Not long ago I bought in for $65 and cashed out 2k. That was prob my biggest cash out. I should have walked away with more, but...live and learn. I walk out with $300 up 80% of the time just playing an hour and half 2 hours. I don't understand why people use a players card. To get a free room? That's only $150. I need to learn more about how much to progress my bets. I'm all over the board. I'll play a $50 hand then a $150 hand if I'm feeling it. I'd love to play with someone who I can learn from. I know when to hit and not hit, but I've found playing by the book doesn't always work. Obviously. Im more of a feel Player. I may sound like an idiot from what I said, but it's the truth.
Progressions don't increase/decrease the house edge one iota. Casinos *love* betting system players.
"I walk out with $300 up 80% of the time just playing an hour and half 2 hours"
Sorry but that statement is just not believable. Card counters don't have positive sessions 80% of the time, not even close, and you're
playing at a negative advantage if you're not counting.
After a while, you don't even consciously count all the cards out there, your mind will tell you the count on the table just by
a quick scan... For example, When I see a face card and a bust card, my mind doesn't even count those, because (at least
with the high/lo system) they cancel out. A BJ or two tens is -2, A face and a bust that gets hit with a face is -1
etc... So it's surprising how fast one gets with a little
practice. I know some dealers/pit wouldn't think for a second that I'm counting, because I'm carrying on a conversation
with the dealer and players, and just barely glancing at the cards.
The next step, is then to memorize the strategy decisions that change with the count.
There is a famous chart called the "Illustrious 18" which is the top 18 strategy adjustments that counters should employ,
i.e. that make the biggest +EV difference in the game.
The way the chart reads, is that you'd do the first action if the index is that number of less, otherwise you do the second action.
So for 16 vs. 10, if the count is 0 or less, you hit, if it's 1 or higher you stand.
(this is for hi/lo system, you'll have to google to find the chart for other counting systems)
Have player cards but they are for tournaments and giveaways only not to play, It's not a casino, just a small stand alone poker room that has a couple of BJ tables and when I need to get off of poker and take a break to eat or bad run.
I may hit the BJ table, they don't know or pay attention much. I have won 1-300 a few times and they have limits to what you can bet.
The rules are not all that good but it's practice.
Counting does not guarantee a win all the time.
When I go to the casino it's still for fun but would like to make a few hundred to a thousand if possible. I do not bet big cash or fluctuate from 20 and then up to 2-300. Keep it low key, do it for a little fun and get some money to pay for the night out.
It was a challenge to me so I taught myself how to count over a year practicing all the time on the computer.
Never did it to make a killing, don't need the problems associated with counting at casinos.
If I get on a hot streak and they try to change dealers, close my table, etc I just take my winnings and cash out...
That has happened a couple of times...I am talking over 20 years now.
I do not go to the casino more than a couple of times a year with friends and it's for a night out and fun...
Unless you have worked in a casino or are a regular, you probably don't know the rotations of the dealers. 99 percent of the time a dealer is changed it's simply because of the rotation, shift change, sick dealer, incompetent dealer or that given dealer is needed on another table. Customers automatically assume that winning and then a dealer change occurring means it was setup. They are wrong 99 percent of the time. 99 percent might even be an understatement. I worked in a casino for 6 years both as a dealer and supervisor and I can count on one hand the number of times a dealer was changed as an attempt to change the cards. Kidman says it happens all the time at his casino, but it didn't at mine.
It happens at mine alot with one pit manager, but its also not until you do a player update when a guest is up $3-5k+. Most pits are just like ok, let me know if they get to 10
Its the $5-10 blackjack table with $500 on the layout among 3 players who are always like, they are bringing in the cooler etc at a dealer change
