First Trip this Saturday (31st): Nervous but EXCITED!

All,

I have been card counting now for a whole three (3) weeks. Yes, I'm one of the guys who read "Bringing down the House" and said, I should try this.

After reading Thorpe's 'Beat the Dealer' version I and II along with 'Knockout Blacjack' where I'm using a modified IRC of 10, Key at 26, Insurance at 33 and Pivot at 34, I'm very comfortable.

I purchased Casino Verite Lite three weeks ago and i'm enjoying it. I'm able to count using the FASTEST speed (there are 5 types for dealer, betting, payout, etc). I recommend this product even for the non-counter.

I'm going up to Lake Tahoe this Saturday (31st) to try the KO Strategy and Basic Strategy. Am I nervous? Yes. This is only a tryout. My true test will come in November when I come back to Tahoe with a bigger bankroll. This trip is to get a feel for the Casino and scout the atmosphere. Hey, if I get too nervous at least I have the Basic Strategy behind me which is better than what I had before. Not sure about hitting on dealers 2's and 3's when I have a 12 but I'll give it a shot.

To conclude, Casino Verite is a great product.

Thanks,

Tim

One of the first things a new counter has to get used to is the squawking and squalling of "educated" players and dealers who blame you for messing up the cards. I've learned to have a lot of fun with this, especially when I can turn it around on them. Follow the math, ignore the superstitions and unsolicited advice.

Tim, it's good that you have put some preparation into this. Casino Verite is an excellent tool. Whenever I plan on taking on a new game, I study it first with CV. I recommend you do more reading, but in the meantime, review K-O chapter 8, in particular the section on Stanford Wong and back counting on page 132. I think you will need to Wong out in the game you describe playing. One last thing, the K-O book suggests a 1-10 spread for a 6 deck game, I'd suggest 1-12 (or greater). Happy hunting!

Sentry

...I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed with this plan of attack. I am assuming you are going with a small bankroll and are planning to attack the 6D shoes (from your description of the KO points you've been using).

Well, here's the thing about Tahoe's low limit shoe games. They can suck. If you look hard enough you should be able to find some H17 DAS RSA games with 75% pen. If you don't, you'll be sitting there wondering how come you never get anywhere close to your key count - OH YEAH, they're only dealing 70%! Just keep your eyes open.

I guess it has been a while since I've attacked the shoes there. If you live in SF, then your best bet will be to sharpen your game up for the single (especially) and double deck games in Reno & Tahoe that are close to you. KO is a good place to start, especially since you are just learning. And for God's sake forget that mumbo-jumbo crap about not hitting 12 vs a 2 in a neutral deck. Next you're going to be telling us it makes more sense to stand on 16vs7 than 16vs10.

My advice for the long term.

1. Keep that bankroll buried away for a little while.
2. Get basic strategy down cold. KO is a good count to get burned into your mind. Only learn KO Preferred. Don't waste time learning the full indices just yet.
3. Join Green Chip. (No I don't work for Stanford.) I don't know how many times over this has paid for itself.
4. Gear yourself up and learn AOII. This is the count system you'll need to properly get after the SD & DD games in your region.

The rest you'll figure out on the green chip boards.

Good luck and remember - whatever happens this weekend (win or lose) has absolutely no bearing on your playing skills whatsoever. Anything can happen in a few days.

Lek Tol

Anubis

......if so, practice counting pitch games before you go. Certainly spend time practicing counting by turning over 2 card pairs. Newer counters, or counters who only played games dealt face-up, often get out of sorts when confronted for the 1st time by a pitch game.

As for not being sure when to hit 12s vs dealer's 2 or 3? These are some of the most common decisions that will confront you. I'd say you're not close to being ready, but can appreciate the anxiousness to get out there and play after studying and practicing, etc.

Until you are absolutely comfortable with using your knowledge in the casino setting; until you know your basic strategy deviation numbers cold, keep it as small as you possibly can.

Good luck

When you sit at the table for the first time trying to count, don't be surprised if you find yourself getting overwhelmed.

If that happens, just revert to basic strategy and minimum flat-betting until you get acclimated. Then you can count in spurts until you start keeping up. When that happens, start counting for real. A slow dealer at a near full table makes a good kiddee pool, too.

Knock 'em dead.

Thanks.

I'm going to stand behind atable and count for 15 minutes and act stupid.

Tim

it easier if you can enjoy a cold one or a cocktail which also works just jim dandy for cover. Good luck. You'll do just fine and give us a report!

I like to scope out all the games before I place my 1st bet.

Look around check all the table limits out, watch dealer shuffles and how good penetration is, this can vary dealer to dealer. Count a shoe or two down and get a feel for the dealers pace and see if you can keep up. Wong in if the shoe your practising on goes good.

Play 3rd base if your having trouble keeping up, try and slow the game down a bit but don't drag every hand out.

Is this the dealers 1st day on the job? or is he/she a 4 year vetern that prides them self in dealing fast? Biggest problem I find with fast dealers is they open and close insurance in less then a second I am reaching for my chips and there already checking. Every time this has happend to me, for customer service they let me place the insurance bet I was going to make even tho the natural is fliped. They keep me happy and at the table take the $20.00+ lose on my winning insurance bet and the dealer is told to slow it down. Win Win for me.

Take Breaks, don't sit at a table for longer then an hour 45min perfered. Wining or losing, if your winning you don't want to stick around and have them remember you. If your losing look at why your losing, losing count? messing it up? not betting properly? Tiping to much? making basic errors? too many distractions, noisy slots, servers, attractive women ect. There's lots going on on the floor and its easy to lose count when your still learning.

Good Luck

If your losing look at why your losing, losing count?

If you're doing things correctly, do not dwell on that question. You will frequently have losing sessions/trips.

I am talking about a beginner, counting for the 1st time. I remember when I started, some one would ask me where I was from or how I was doing and I would lose my count.

Biggest problem I find with fast dealers is they open and close insurance in less then a second I am reaching for my chips and they're already checking.

As soon as you see the Ace come up, grab some chips and get them out there on the insurance line. It doesn't have to be the correct amount, but should be no less than the correct amount. If you "insure for more," the dealer should correct it. To be safe, point out that the insurance bet is not for the correct amount, so if the bet loses, the dealer doesn't grab the extra amount by mistake. The idea is to get SOME chips out there in time for it to be clear that you intend to make the insurance bet.

If the dealer is so fast that you can't get chips out there in time, say "WAIT" and put your hand up in a "stop" signal as soon as the Ace appears. With the hand signal, in the event there is a dispute that has to be resolved by a surveillance tape review, your intention will be clear.

He once played with himself in an Atlantic city casino. haha sorry couldn't resist.

.....Myself - not himself