How good is your act?

It seems that all serious counters are concerned about their act for the sake of playing longevity. But at the same time, it seems that a counter playing at the $25 or higher tables is bound to be caught eventually (and maybe barred) regardless of how good his act is. How true is the latter statement? Is it possible to play at the same casino forever without being recognized as a card counter?

Can you hold a conversation with the dealer or PC while counting and playing perfectly? In my experience, I say the minimal amount if anyone strikes up a conversation because I'm afraid of losing the count. One time, the dealer said something to me, and in response I almost blurted out "Negative one," which was the count at the time. But I think talking and counting is not as difficult as I think it is.

Can you wong in/out when playing shoe games without making it obvious that you are wonging? I realize that if you walk over to newly shuffled shoes, look at the table, and then jump in when the TC hits +2, you're making it pretty obvious. But if you walk back and forth among the tables, and quickly glance at the table when the cards are out so that you don't look like you're interested in that game, isn't that annoying to do for hours at a time?

I can't imagine a casino that would let you play indefinitely without eventually backing you off, unless you are not playing a positive ev game. Most casinos, and all that I am aware of, will back you off once your max bets get high enough to get their attention. That's part of the game. BTW, I agree that wonging is boring for the player and annoying for everyone else, but where shoe games prevail, wonging is also a part of the game. One way to make it more palatable is to play with a partner, who shares the count-down process. PV

Suppose your max bet is high enough to get their attention. How long can you last with the best possible act?

BTW, are you able to talk and count at the same time?

...what bet is considered big enough to "get their attention."

From the context of your statement it sounded like "their" meant "the Casino's" as in, you're running up against the maximum bet that the Casino (not just this pit) is comfortable with.

Or did "their" mean "the pit folk in whatever pit I happen to be playing?"

Car Geek

you will need to develop the ability to determine what gets the attention of the pit. Learn to watch the pc's reaction to various bets at other tables; find out what it takes to get someone to come to your table and ask for your player's card, if you don't turn it in when you buy in; what bet size does it take for a critter to come to you and ask if you want a meal, or a room; what triggers a phone call to survey; etc. Do dealers call out "green action", or only "black"? Little things that are happening in the pit can signal when you are staarting to get in trouble. However, from your other comments, I would suggest that you worry about other aspects of the game for now, and work on an act when it starts to become necessary. Some casinos will back you off just for spreading your bets, but others will wait until it looks like you are playing a positive game. These are not the same thing. PV

By "their", I meant the pit boss in the pit you're in.

If you're betting that amount and you have their attention, how effective is the best act?