Newbie Questions: (LONG - Sorry)

I have counted two times in Vegas casino's in the past, and did okay. However, in the past several months I have used a training tool to practice BS, counting, and betting. I can run through six decks very quickly, maintaining counts and making proper bets 98% of the time. I've done this for several hours a day for the past few months. I keep spreadsheets detailing every shoe.

I'm heading to Vegas over V-day, and I was feeling incredibly eager to try my "luck". I'm heading out with my GF. One of the other guys is learning to count and bet as well. Now after reading this forum, I feel like we're going to get creamed.

We have a $5k triproll, and were planning on playing $10 hands with a 1-8 spread. Using wonging ins and outs, and call ins. Using our GF's to match our bets on hot decks. Now I feel as if we have too small a bankroll, and we're not nearly good enough to win. We were hoping to at least win enough to pay for the trip if not even take some profit home.

Does anyone have suggestions? Should we just stick to $5 dollar mins and 1-4 spread? Why is it that everyone here seems to harp on all the negatives (getting heat, busting, less than 1% adv, no fun, no good games, etc, etc)? Am I being too naive in thinking that I can have fun and win a few hundred during the weekend?

Thanks!!!!

You guys first have to decide where in Las Vegas you will be playing. People usually play at one of two places in Vegas, Glitter Gulch (downtown) or the Strip.

I know downtown may be better, but the ladies like the strip. (have to keep them happy - lol)

You and your counter friend need to play at separate tables. This is assuming the two of you have combined your bankrolls. This will allow you to play with a lower risk of losing your cash. 5k should be fine for this level of play (2-8 red). Just take every opportunity to leave the game when the count goes minus. If your girlfriend will be with you when you play, use her to your advantage. Have her watch when the count is neutral, have her play and help her with the hands when the count is positive, have her hold your seat when you go to the bathroom when the count is negative. Having her play a hand will allow you to spread much easier than doing the full spread yourself. You will also be able to bet 75% of your bet on each hand without adding to your risk.

Play double deck if you can find any $5-$10 tables... my guess is you won't find any unless you go downtown. The pitch games may feel awkward if they are not what you are used to though, so you may want to avoid double and single deck altogether. Watch out for 6:5 single deck.

BJ on the strip at your betting level is tough on a crowded weekend when table minimums are increased. You'll have to hunt around a lot for $5 games, and if you are going to be selective about rules (like s17 on a 6D game), that will further limit the number of playable tables on the strip. Most of what used to be $5 games on the strip has been replaced by CSM's, h17 and 6:5 SD. If you decide to wong, then you'll further decrease your time at the tables and increase you walking time. A Signigigant Other who is not on the same mission may get frustrated by all the walking around time.

Normally, at the green chip level, I get in about 16 hours of actual playing time during a 4 day weekend on the strip, playing a combination of 2D and wonging 6D. At the red chip level, you won't have so many opportunities onthe strip, unless you camp out at a table and play all. Nomal standard deviation may still work in your favor, and you might/can still come out ahead for the trip, but the measure of success will be how well you execute, and what you learn, not the final bottom line for the trip.

So decide what your real objective is. Is it practising wonging and finding the most favorable games for your betting level (then I would take the other poster's advice and look to play more downtown), or is it practicing your counting, bet variation, and playimg variation under casino conditions (then find a $5 table and put in the hours), or just having a good vacation and get in some BJ (just relax and and have fun). Either way, BJ is like squeezing blood out of a stone with a ton of emotion. Grade yourself on how well you execute best practise, and if you do well, then you have given yourself the best chance to come out ahead.

"I know downtown may be better, but the ladies like the strip. (have to keep them happy - lol)"

Downtown is better for your level of play. If the ladies don't like it, tough. You can always leave the ladies at home. Do you want to be able to play the best games for your level of play or "keep the ladies happy"? Doesn't sound like you can do both.

Shaggy,
Thanks for the great "newbie" advice. Obviously, I'm going out over Valentine's weekend, so the ladies feelings matter a great deal. My GF is willing to "help" if she can. I'm not looking to do anything much more than have a good time, and test some of my counting/betting strategies in Vegas. I will be doing all the things you mention, and will hopefully pull a few chips my way. I'll provide a trip report when I return.

Thanks again!

I am passing this advice on from those who helped me here a few weeks ago: buy Current BlackJack News @BJ21.com. It is very useful.

I just returned from being comped 3 lovely nights at Paris, Las Vegas. Fabulous hotel and casino, but I didn't spend $ there since their table rules are lousy.

I knew EXACTLY where to go to find the best rules for the strip from CBJN. It was 95% accurate. I was there Monday - Thursday, and the minimum bets were sometimes HIGHER than the news lists for Weekends. There were only 6 or so casinos with the best rules (das, rsa, s17) AND $5 or $10 tables. I played the $10. You can always find tables with dealer H17. The 6-5 scam payout is clearly marked, and man, those tables and variation-game tables were constantly used. I wanted to scream out to those players!

Thanks again to that handful of folks here who gave me advice. To the one who asked, No, I'm not ready to count. I flirt too much during my play to count or be bothered to count. I played 100% perfect basic strategy, though some dealers occasionally disagreed (like hitting S18 v. A, 10, 9).

Buy CBJN for $12 one issue or subscribe. Good luck.

Donna

Am I being too naive in thinking that I can have fun and win a few hundred during the weekend?

Over many, many weekends with several hours of play each you might average a couple hundred dollars or so. The chance of you winning this weekend is not much more than 50% though. You should make sure everyone in your group understands this.

Why is it that everyone here seems to harp on all the negatives (getting heat, busting, less than 1% adv, no fun, no good games, etc, etc)?

Because no one needs to be warned that they might win lots of money! Have a good trip.