Backoff Rates

Given that part of the assessment of our overall success at blackjack is the extent to which we avoid backoffs and barrings...

what is the typical experience of card counters in terms of the number of backofs or barrings per a given amount of playing time?

What would be the measure of success? Must it be zero? If we shoot for absolute zero, we may have to sacrifice too much in terms of win rate and expectation (due to cover). On the other hand, getting backed off too often can have a snowball effect that can be disastrous. On the other other hand, the proliferation of casinos in the US provides more opportunities to play, perhaps reducing the negative effect of backoffs (assuming the information isn't shared to widely).

So, for example, someone learns to count and proceeds to play 10 3-day weekends of 25 hours each for a total of 250 hours, during one of which he gets the boot.

1 backoff in 250 hours of play for a backoff rate of .4% Good or bad? Anyone have some stats to share?

There is no correct answer to your question because too many variables exist in the real world. To mention a few It depends on conditons,casinos,bet variations,exposure,your act, experience etc. There is no fixed answer.

I have never been actually barred from casino property but have had to deal with counter measures. Much of this depends on the casinos you're gambling at, avoiding the sweaty ones is a good idea.

of cover you are willing to use. Do sims and make sure you are not giving away the farm. If you get backed off anyway, so be it. But you'll find some properties that will take your action, act, and cover for enough time to more than compensate you for those that don't.

I agree that there is no way to tell whether a record given a certain number of hours is good or bad. If somebody gets heat at a great game, then picks up and leaves to never return, you could hardly say that was good. Another counter may get several trips out of the place and get backed off. Generally the best opportunities do not last very long and must be exploited when you have the chance. For example, a casino is cutting less than a deck but you take several months off because somebody gave you a dirty look. You go back four months later and find two deck cuts. This happens all the time. Don't be so careful that you forget to make money.

You could however answer the question of average experience among card counters, assuming you could gather enough honest answers to be statistically valid.

It is impossible to come up with anytbing "typical," because there are too many variables.

Obviously, betting level is a major factor. Someone whose max bet is $20 may be able to play heat-free indefinitely with little or no cover merely by avoiding known burn joints. Black chip players will be under close scrutiny in all but the largest casinos.

Tolerance varies widely, both by casino and region. Action that doesn't rate a second glance at one casino may result in an immediate boot next door. What flies in Las Vegas may crash & burn in Reno.

Playing style is also a major factor. Some players use an agressive style, and accept frequent back-offs as part of the game. Others are more concerned with longevity and adjust their play accordingly.