I've found, albeit in only a few bona-fide Vegas sessions, I seem to do better when just paying *close* attention to the game, not out-and-out counting. I don't know if the counting distracts me, or what the deal is, but is there anyone else here who this happens to?
Thanks!
I've noticed someone sitting next to me who splits 3's and 4's against a 10 upcard who sometimes does better than me . . . but for the twenty minutes he's there, his results are virtually meaningless and reflect nothing more than a lucky streak that won't happen often enough to keep him above water.
Stuff happens.
I played a few nights ago and could not get paid on any double downs. My 10's and 11's vs. dealer's 5 and 6 upcards went down in flames time after time. It happened so much that even the dealer had to laugh.
Just one of those things. I took my shots and they didn't work out.
I'm now less concerned about outcome and more focused on playing as close to perfect as I can. I'm no pro by any means, but I can go for a good long time without losing a count or missing an index play . . . yet even then then there's no guarantee of success, luck being a factor, I guess.
Who knows?
You had some good sessions and luck was on your side. Take the money and be happy. But understand it wasn't anything more than luck because just paying close attention can't possibly give you any real EV, as far as I know.
And after having spent many a nite pushing out max bets in highly favorable situations only to lose my entire session bankroll in a blink or two of the eye, I can tell you that you have zero long term chance of coming out ahead with no EV on your side of the table.
What you may be doing is engaging in some wishful thinking and coupling it with selective memory. Counting requires some effort, and there will surely be losing sessions. You can have winning sessions without counting- I've see drunk players hit their hard 17 to pull a 21, but it's not mathematically sound.
If you play for just for fun, counting is a bother. I like money, so I count. I can find fun in other places.
Sentry
If you like money then you should shuffle track or perhaps buy Wong's book on dice. Straight counting is more of an aggravation and idolized passion than anything else.
