I am a novice in the art of card counting, and have only been trying it once, during a week stay in LV last june, where I logged about 60 hours, and won twice my expected win. I am however, used to the casino enviroment, and have played basic strategy for years. The past 3 years I have been playing poker part time with a regular day job a side.
I have tried to compensate my lack of experience in card counting by reading a lot, not only the well-known litterature, but also on forums, such as this one. Now, I read a lot about how conditions in the US keep getting worse year by year, but still, it seems to me that theres no other place on earth that grants a better positive EV. I am from Europe, and the csm's have taken control over most of the stores. Also, in my country casino is illegal. To me, going pro means that I have to stay for a longer period of time (something like 3 months) in the US, preferable LV to make it worthwhile the effort. Also, my bank is on the smaller side (about $15k), but as I witnessed during my last trip in LV, it was a lot of stores that offered $10-$15 min games with decent rules and pen.
There was many interesting things I observed during my stay in LV. For instance my "wet dream" was to get backed off, because I thought that was a great indicator I would master the game. That never happened, I never got the tap. However, what I noticed after overstaying (I was too inexperienced to know that I should get out early), was that the dealers placed the cutting-card further away, and in a specific shoe, the dealer managed to hide it completely from me! Both times I left, and I kind of felt the mutual agreement from the dealer, that "its enough now".
I use Schlesinger's betting-system, maxing with 6x2, which is known to be a conservative betspread avoiding too much heat, but also for bankroll reasons, as I already had a pretty high RoR on this trip. I even split tens three times at a true 5, with my max bet out there, and nobody really seemed to care. I also took insurance with my maxbet, and doubled my 10, on two separate occasions, when the floor was watching. I overstayed there too. Obviously, this could never go on. But for a week it did.
I also met other APs at the tables, and, once again, I have to blame my inexperience for staying. I was just so fascinated that we both raised our bets simultaneously when the count went up. I was also curious to see what kind of progressions the other AP's were using. And then it hit me. All the foreigners, were greedy savages. I played one shoe next to an asian who spread 1-30, with maxing on 2 spots. Moreover, some were wonging in and out of a DD, they left me with the negative counts, and jumped in when it got rich. Again, I was too inexperienced to handle it.
The best AP i ever saw in action was an american, playing a well-cut DD, spreading 1-4, calm guy, who cracked a joke now and then. I disturbed his game, unintentionally. I interfered his workplace, jumping in, and simultaneously raised bets. He left after a couple of very eventful, but revealing, games. I didnt mean to do that, I didnt know he was an AP. This has all been reflections that I now have made a few months after the trip. Next time, if I realise Im sitting next to another AP, I will be the one who leave.
Im very greatful for all information thats available on this forum, its really useful for me to read great minds' different experiences, as Im seriously contemplating the next step. Some stories are inspiring, other's are intimidating, but I have made up my mind anyway, and will go for it. After all, the worst thing that can happen is that I lose my bankroll. Then I will probably go back to my home country and start all over again.
I guess Im generally looking for opinions on whether my 1000 units can withstand a period of 3 months professional playing. Im thinking playing $15 min 8D, 0.5-1.5 pen, but also raising the stakes at the DD with 0.5-0.7 pen, to $25-$50 min, spreading 1-4. Your opinion will be greatly appreciated.
I have tried to compensate my lack of experience in card counting by reading a lot, not only the well-known litterature, but also on forums, such as this one. Now, I read a lot about how conditions in the US keep getting worse year by year, but still, it seems to me that theres no other place on earth that grants a better positive EV. I am from Europe, and the csm's have taken control over most of the stores. Also, in my country casino is illegal. To me, going pro means that I have to stay for a longer period of time (something like 3 months) in the US, preferable LV to make it worthwhile the effort. Also, my bank is on the smaller side (about $15k), but as I witnessed during my last trip in LV, it was a lot of stores that offered $10-$15 min games with decent rules and pen.
There was many interesting things I observed during my stay in LV. For instance my "wet dream" was to get backed off, because I thought that was a great indicator I would master the game. That never happened, I never got the tap. However, what I noticed after overstaying (I was too inexperienced to know that I should get out early), was that the dealers placed the cutting-card further away, and in a specific shoe, the dealer managed to hide it completely from me! Both times I left, and I kind of felt the mutual agreement from the dealer, that "its enough now".
I use Schlesinger's betting-system, maxing with 6x2, which is known to be a conservative betspread avoiding too much heat, but also for bankroll reasons, as I already had a pretty high RoR on this trip. I even split tens three times at a true 5, with my max bet out there, and nobody really seemed to care. I also took insurance with my maxbet, and doubled my 10, on two separate occasions, when the floor was watching. I overstayed there too. Obviously, this could never go on. But for a week it did.
I also met other APs at the tables, and, once again, I have to blame my inexperience for staying. I was just so fascinated that we both raised our bets simultaneously when the count went up. I was also curious to see what kind of progressions the other AP's were using. And then it hit me. All the foreigners, were greedy savages. I played one shoe next to an asian who spread 1-30, with maxing on 2 spots. Moreover, some were wonging in and out of a DD, they left me with the negative counts, and jumped in when it got rich. Again, I was too inexperienced to handle it.
The best AP i ever saw in action was an american, playing a well-cut DD, spreading 1-4, calm guy, who cracked a joke now and then. I disturbed his game, unintentionally. I interfered his workplace, jumping in, and simultaneously raised bets. He left after a couple of very eventful, but revealing, games. I didnt mean to do that, I didnt know he was an AP. This has all been reflections that I now have made a few months after the trip. Next time, if I realise Im sitting next to another AP, I will be the one who leave.
Im very greatful for all information thats available on this forum, its really useful for me to read great minds' different experiences, as Im seriously contemplating the next step. Some stories are inspiring, other's are intimidating, but I have made up my mind anyway, and will go for it. After all, the worst thing that can happen is that I lose my bankroll. Then I will probably go back to my home country and start all over again.
I guess Im generally looking for opinions on whether my 1000 units can withstand a period of 3 months professional playing. Im thinking playing $15 min 8D, 0.5-1.5 pen, but also raising the stakes at the DD with 0.5-0.7 pen, to $25-$50 min, spreading 1-4. Your opinion will be greatly appreciated.
