My last and best advice for playing BJ in Vegas...

this Memorial Day weekend:

Spread 10:1 or much greater spreads on ALL decent BJ games on Memorial Day weekend. Have the bankroll to back up your play.

Blackjack games are deteriorating rapidly in this rotting town.

If you get backed off, no sweat, IF you leave quickly and quietly. "Do not stay where you play" when using this aggressive strategy. Take a cab to your next destination when kicked out. Also, do NOT park where you play! Remain anonymous if possible.

AB

10-1 spread on ALL games: If you are talking 6 deck shoe games, 10-1 isn't all that aggressive. Especially if you are playing all. Also betting levels, which you didn't mention, certainly come in to play. A $10-$100 spread won't even be noticed most places, while a $500-$5000 will. So just saying 10-1 is kind of vague.

I assume you "blackjack games deteriorating rapidly" comment is related to the Mirage recent change from S17 to H17 on games on the main floor? This trend has been going on for several years, unfortunately. I don't know how rapid this change has been. The extra .21% house edge is less than that for a counter and can easily be made up with better penetration, and it has been my experience for many months now that the S17 games had significantly worse penetration that H17 games, as the house seemed to be protecting these games with lousy penetration. So while this isn't good news, for me personally, I don't know how horrible a developement this is. Now the 6-5 games are something to get riled up about. lol

I also want to add that playing on a crowded weekend isn't the greatest of idea unless you play at a $500 to several thousand spread or more and need the extra cover of other big players.

A couple weeks ago, I attempted to take advantage of the big crowds in town for a big boxing match. I took that opportunity to double my max bet. Heads up games and games with 1 or even 2 other players were non existant and wonging much more difficult. After roughly 9 hours of play, I figure I got in about half the hands I would have normally played during a 9 hour stretch, because of the crowded conditions. At my level of play, green to mid black, I don't need that addition cover of a few whales and it just significantly slows down my game. I'll play when it's not crowded and get in double the hands. lol

I am playing a strategy to spread from $5 to $100. The $100 spread would be be approximately less than 1% of the time. In your oppinion, would this get much heat. I really don't think so especially if I am only on the table for about 2 hours and going to the next casino. Your thoughts?

Your 20-1 spread will only be tolerated for short sessions at a shoe game; and will certainly get you 86'd if tried with green chips.

With RED chips, you are playing too long � unless you have played those two hours without ever betting more than $60.

Once you have played at the $100 bet level, at the conclusion of that shoe, win or lose, you leave the premises.

Understand ?

First of all I agree with Flash that 2 hours is too long. Most players keep their sessions to an hour or less. I do considerably less. But a good rule of thumb is too leave at the shuffle after placing top wagers, as Flash suggested.

I also have a strong belief that there are certain trigger points or thresholds that when crossed draw significantly more heat. $100, $500, and $1000 are some. I am not saying you won't draw heat if you stay below these triggers, but you draw significantly more when you hit them. A $400 or $450 top wager draws significantly less heat than $500. For a red chip player the same holds true for $100. And probably even more so because of the 'checks play' call. So if you are going to have your top wager be in the $100 range I would stay below $100, like $80 or $90.

and playing with a large spread is a GREAT idea on a Holiday weekend,
IF YOU HAVE THE BANKROLL to do it (like I said in the original post). Also said: 10:1 or greater spreads, not just 10:1

I do agree with your "triggers" post, at least in principle. Again, on holiday weekends, there are many "shot-takers", especially on Sunday and Monday, so huge Hail Mary spreads at the end of a vacationer's trip is a great idea, if he knows advantage play.

Not speaking to Las Vegas residents who play regularly at local casinos. Talking to visiting AP's who really don't care if they are barred or not. But still want to avoid violent behavior by brainless security guards, LIKE I SAID

AB

bring a much larger bankroll, or just don't play BJ this weekend, try poker instead.

AB

Even if I am not betting at the top level more than maybe twice every 100 hands, the heat would still be there? What about placing a red chip on top of the $100 black chip?

I've tweeked a system that still involves card counting that has yielded considerable gains (approx. 3.4% with $100 top level bet) beyond standard TC betting. If there is a way in which my top level bet can be $150, I've calculated the advanted at 4.84%. This is a stagering winning percentage. It allows for more frequent wins at the top level. Also I've found a way to reduce the fluctuation. Sure there are swings but nothing like before. The whole premise is winning a higher percentage of hands at the higher levels. I know you may think this sounds crazy but it's true. You can critize, laugh, poke holes, or whatever if you like. I'm fine with that and don't really care. I've tested this over 30k hands over the last 2 years. Is it a billion hand test? No, but I have my reasons for not doing a sim. Besides, I'm not even sure if it is possible to run one. I don't expect anyone to believe me but I feel very confident in the research that I've done despite only 30k hands. I don't have the vast knowledge like many people on this site but I've been able to apply the knowledge as well as research numerous online sources as well as a little from Don S. BJ Attack 3rd edition.

The main reason for doing this because I became increasingly frustrated with losing successive top bets. Where do you thing the fluctuation really comes from anyway? Win more of the larger bets and you have solved the proble. The result is a tremendous gain. I discovered a way to diminsh the losses at the high levels and actually sustain an average winning 55% at the lop level.

I'm ready to go in and hit the tables for real. My only problem is simply the heat. I'll begin on the $5 tables for starters. If this works, I'll advance to the $25 tables. My spreads will not have to be as wide due to being able to play more hands/hour as well as the sheer amount of money in play over the course of several hours.

Brendan

I won't comment on your system; just the first paragraph of your post. If your max bet is $100 or $150, don't put a black chip on the table. It attracts more attention that stacking greens. Covering a black chip with a red is worse. It makes it appear you are hiding something.

Will take that advice. I agree.