The Cow Chip Page

Just thought I would let all you grinders know that I dubbed a new name for our little page here. If you need conditions, or warnings for MN casinos, or want to know nice vacationing spots in the Northern Star I will help you. I may have a story about the Pit Bull's Ploppy orgy at the Island, but it seems there has been a G rating put on this page. If it is still like back in the day let me know. If the Milk Maid doesn't keep me in the pasture I might take Sotsog up on his coa coa and have a fire place tale.

again. There is a post on Midwest Green saying conditions have greatly improved at Mystic Lake. Is this true? Also have you ever played any of the casinos in northern MN. By northern MN, I mean north of Hinckley. Any good games way up north.

Well, I have not seen how they are talking it up on the green page, but I am not the only counter working the joint. I have a friend I will call Popeye who is working the place. He and the other person I will call the Hacker had a falling out. Apparently the Hacker took some the advice in Blackjack Attack and upset Popeye. Popeye turned into Poopdeck Pappy and grudged the Hacker. The last time I saw the Hacker he was pushing $10,000.00 to the good. He then disappeared. My guess is he got barred. Popeye had another counter friend who I have not met that also got the boot when he spread to two spots $50.00 a piece and was dealt double blackjack. Then they asked Popeye's friend to leave. Be descrete the heat may still be on. My neighbor is an ex- security person from Mystake. I asked them how they catch counters and his answer assured me they will have no idea if you are descrete. From what I have seen the last time I played there I left up 30 units. I normally play 6d 8-1 spread. Popeye plays the 4d and sometimes can grandfather for $5.00 to help his spread. I do not know where you live but if you are traveling a great distance for the holidays the casinos will be packed. It may be hard to get a table or Wong especially New Years. As far as rules or penetration it seems like the same game to me. They hit s17, rsa, split 3times for 4 hands,can double split pairs. Play the old folks, stay away from the fat ladies, and some new dealers do not know how to add because they sometimes pay the losers. The only major change to the game is you no longer have to double your bets if you choose to play two spots. I do not read the green page because I like the brown page. Up North may have no snow. There is no snow here in the cities at this time. So if you snowmobile or ski it really sucks right now. Ice fishing is too dangerous right now because we experience some warm weather lately. Hinkley hits S17, no RSA the last time I was there although they used to have it, split 3times up to 4 hands, can double split pairs. Shop your penetration. If you have the curiosity for a better game I highly reccomend driving to The Hole in The Wall 30 miles East and playing the 6d. They stand on S17, no RSA, split 3times to 4 hands, can double split pairs. They have double deck also but no doubling on splits are allowed on double deck. Turkey Lake at 45 minutes North has the same game, a larger casino, and the best casino food in the NW Minnesota / Wisconsin area. Good luck Electric Kid. I hope there is some shocking news in the post for you. Let me know if you meet Popeye he is really cool. May be you will see the Milkman and Milk Maid too.

how's Mystic Lake for counting? That is the only casino I've been to, and I have just recently started learning to count. I heard Treasure Island had good rules.

Splitz, I do not understand the nature of your question. Counting is not like fishing or hunting. I do not get a bite now and then or see a buck after waiting all day. What do you want to know about conditions, heat, or strategy? May be a question before you start should be do you realistically understand what card counting is and what it can do for you? Please let me know what your question is.

as opposed to Treasure Island or Hinckley

success @ counting is based on advantage right?
my question is, how do conditions @ Mystic compare? would you go there to count (win) ? How is the penetration there, etc.

As far your question, do I realistically know what counting is... I dont think so, as I said I am a beginner any help would be appreciated! :)

-Thanks

Splitz, the advantage in blackjack changes on a per hand basis depending on what is left in the deck. Is your question more about expectation? Most Card counting books will tell you depending on your ability and system a card counter could have a 1 to 1.5% advantage over the house in the long run. If what I just explained to you makes no sense you are definately not a casino ready counter. I do not know what author you have read if any or what your method of play or system is. My suggestion to you would be to go to the library and find a book on statistics and probability. If you learn better by taking classes then take a statistics class. Next buy a book that is a legitimate text on counting. Anything wong wrote, The Worlds Greatest Blackjack Book, or my preferred text Ken Uston's Million Dollar Blackjack. Learn a system. Before you go to the Casino buy and read Blackjack Attack it is a must to designing a comfortable game. When all of that is done and you have a system down you will be able to beat the game. As far as Mystake Lake is concerned it is what it has to offer as most games are. The Island has a better game because they stand on soft 17. Mystake allows resplitting of aces but hits soft 17. You do not get as much advantage back from the RSA to make up for the hitting S17. Penetration stay a way from the fat ladies they do not like it deep. The old men take it deep all the time. You have to shop your dates. I have had a good year so far this year. I am up 7% for $/wager. This is a very good considering it will probably swing back toward the 1.5% normal if that makes any sense to you I do not know.

I have played at Hole in the Wall so I already know the conditions of this game. However, what I don't know is how tolerant are they of card counters. Do you know of anyone who has been barred from this place? How far can you push the envelope at Hole in Wall? I felt the presence of some heat when I was there, but nothing more than being watched very closely.

I'm trying to figure out what casino is "Turkey Lake". At first I thought you were talking about Turtle Lake but that is South of Hole in the Wall so I have to admit I'm stumped.

I think I am understanding it better now. I have read the Lessons here @ BJ21.com and I've looked thru Wong's Professional Blackjack book, and I've read John May's blackjack book. I am currently practicing with the "hi-lo" system. I really don't know too much about the statistics, do you feel that knowing the actual statistics has helped you? or is knowing the basic that when the count is such and such you have the advantage bet big enough?

-Thanks!
(and good job with the winnings, do you play 1on1 with a dealer?)

do you feel that knowing the actual statistics has helped you?

Splitz, the whole idea of card counting comes from statistical theory and probability. Most new counters read a book and think that if the walk into a casino count and count the cards a dealer will tip the table and all the chips will roll into their lap. This is pure fantasy. Using a card counting system is like working a job. You have to understand what it is you are doing, how it works and how effective you are at doing it. The only way you can figure all of that out is to understand the mathematical realities of the game. Once you understand the math, it takes away a lot of emotional distress from the up and down swings. Your can refine your game and get the most out of your abilities.

or is knowing the basic that when the count is such and such you have the advantage bet big enough?

Splitz, most counters that fail at it do not understand bet to bank ratios, stop losses, risk of ruin, or what a decent win is. Unless you understand the mathematical realities of these concepts counting may not be fun or benefitial. There is more to counting then the book told me to bet 10 units when the true count was +10. My recomendation to a begginer like yourself is learn your basic stragey, practice your hi lo until counting seems like a breeze, read Wongs Blackjack as a professional business. Keep your Hi lo system read some of the chapters in Ken Ustons Milliondollar Blackjack that explain what counting is, difference between single and multiple deck games. Then get Blackjack Attack. Read about risk of ruin, variance and standard deviation. If the statistical concepts do not makes sense to you then maybe take a statistics class. If you then feel your skills are good and you have an idea of what may or may not happen to your bank roll then start at the $2.00 and $3.00 tables playing your system and keeping track of your wins and losses and the ends of your sessions in a journal. If you find you are successful and enjoy the game then you know you're a counter. When you are confident in your abilities then you can increase your stakes to what you think is comfortable to you. Then the game becomes not so much your system or success it then becomes dodging the heat which is just as fun as hustling the house.

(and good job with the winnings, do you play 1on1 with a dealer?)

Splitz, I have wonged and played 1 on 1 but do not like that approach because I draw too much heat. I prefer blending into a table as a play all player. My grind is slower than the other strategies but I do not have to worry about being too obvious.

It is that holiday time of year and it looks like Mystake wants to be Santa again. On December 24, 2002 the Milk Man and Milk Maid plan to get our annual holiday gift. In seasons past $1000 on New Years was cool shit. Hopefully they will be as generous or more generous this year. I may call Popeye and play with him. If you are a interested come find us. I know the security won't. And to all you Mystake Dealers, Pit Poeple, and owners thanks for making the Milk Mans holidays extra special. Merry Christmas.