Tiny stakes player backed off

Background: Only playing again for the past 6 months. Current bankroll is $7000 and playing about a 1/2 Kelly which means red-chips.

There is a small local casino that has a pretty good DD game. $15 min, 75%+ pen, often can play Head to Head or with one or two other players. I've played there maybe 10 times over the past 6 months and recording more losses than wins. The wins were never huge, the largest being about $500 for a session. The other players there are normally big red or green chip players. When I play, I spread 1-4 from the $15 minimum. My sessions are normally about an hour and I normally would drink one or two Guiness during my play (I normally don't drink when playing).

I went there yesterday afternoon and was pleased to see the DD table open and empty. As I approached the table, pulling the money from my pocket, the pit boss asked if he could speak to me before I played. We walked about 5 paces away from the tables and he very politely informed me that the management has decided that they no longer want my BJ play.

I was surprised since I'm pretty sure that I have lost more than I have one at this particular casino even though my last session was a bigger win. I asked why and he said that in reviewing my play, it was decided that "I moved my money around too well" and "was playing very smart". I told him that I was bit surprised since I've lost money in total here. He told me I'm more than welcome to play the other table games, just not the DD or 8D BJ games. I told him I don't like those other games and I suppose I would just have to lose my money somewhere else. He offered me a meal comp, but I declined.

All very cordial and pleasant. The pit-boss really is a nice kid, but is pretty good at his job because by my third visit he has remembered my name and the profile that I had created for the place. I'm bummed because I enjoyed this casino and it was the best game available locally.

I should have asked him specifically how they monitored my play, who made the decision, etc... since at that point I had nothing to lose but could have gotten good information as to what not to do next time. I think he would have been forthcoming. In fact, if I am by that way again I may just stop in to ask.

EmeraldCityBJ knows of the place.

Your anti-radar game is obviously a freaking joke or you don't even have one. As far as the pit boss giving you the particulars of how they tagged you. That's an even bigger joke!! Ha! Ha! Lastly, Emerald CityBJ doesn't play blackjack-he's not that stupid.

...that this is truly an internet forum after all. I was beginning to wonder with all the helpful and polite folks that I see posting here. Fortunately, your post helped cleared that up.

I've played there maybe 10 times over the past 6 months and recording more losses than wins.

When I play, I spread 1-4 from the $15 minimum.

Do you think one may have something to do with the other?

"I moved my money around too well" and "was playing very smart".

How do you move around a 1-4 spread in DD too well? That kind of play won't get you noticed in most SD games, let alone DD games...

Some thoughts...losing will NOT be a safeguard from being backed off! Many BOs will come when you have a history of losses or because you are losing at the session you're playing. Don't assume you're "home-free" because of the past.

Find a game that you can win...clue...1-4 spread in DD is not one of them.

Obviously your spread is robotic for them to catch you so easily. Suggest you mix it up a little and work on a good "act".

I should have asked him specifically how they monitored my play, who made the decision, etc... since at that point I had nothing to lose but could have gotten good information as to what not to do next time. I think he would have been forthcoming. In fact, if I am by that way again I may just stop in to ask.

Why? Does it really matter why they chose to do it? All that matters is that store is now toast at the moment, so move on! Notice I said "at the moment". As for knowing why...just re-evaluate your play, you'll figure it out quick enough.

Also by stopping in or talking to this guy again will only reinforce you in his memory. If you just GO and come back in 2 or 3 months you will live to play again...he probably won't even remember you...I'm sure he won't with your action. Why make it any harder on yourself?

One last thing...Why the hell didn't you take him up on the comp? I never turn down a free meal...even if I just ate. Give it to someone that looks like they could use it, but don't walk away from a free meal! :)

Regards,
PM

I obviously was stupid in several ways to get myself backed off considering the amount that I was betting.

I just went back and looked at my records. My record keeping has improved over the months, so I know that I have at least 2 or 3 sessions that weren't recorded. However, I do have 8 sessions recorded at this casino. As typical, my memory is poor so these are the session that I have.
$480.00
$440.00
$630.00
$55.00
($503.00)
($175.00)
$375.00
$265.00

Only two negative sessions and there were too many sessions in January.

I did try to vary my bet spread adding one to chips to the stack as the count got higher and pulling some as it dropped. Occasionally I would bet my +2 bet at the beginning of the shoe but most of the time I played as if I was playing low when winning and bet higher to "make-up" for losses. So often it seemed as if this was the case since the count was often dropping as I would win hands and rise as I was losing my doubles and spits.

I did not start to rat hole chips until too late.

Not sure when I'll be able to go back. I'm amazed as how good a memory the dealers and pit-bosses have. I had one dealer remember me from another casino she works at simply because she recognized my watch (they do look at players hands all day).

I guess I should have taken the comp meal, but I frankly done like sitting in a casino and eating by myself and I figured I'd never be back so....

I think I would have done better if I had moved back and forth between their DD game and their 8D game. The 8D game isn't as good, but was often not crowded and moving from one to the other may have given me a good opportunity to rat hole chips?

Your first instincts were right--by and large, the posters here are very helpful and nice. And it's fairly easy to distinguish between the helpful and not helpful.
With respect to your experience, the helpful advice you got was right on--especially about taking the comped meal. Unfortunately, losing does not preclude a tap on the shoulder. Many posters here don't give the pit crew enough credit, but many of us have been identified, usually through our own carelessness (including me). Like everything else in life, you have to learn from your mistakes and move on.

Being backed-off after winning as often as you did is in no way unusual.
Your betting patterns were pretty transparent.
You need to develop "camouflage" and "cover".
You'll need to stay away for at least a year (or two if the place is small)

I agree with all of your suggestions.

I don't think I have a good enough appreciation of what both camouflage and cover mean and obviously don't know how to employ it. I try to be like all the other middle-age white guys that are playing at the tables, but I guess I need to come up with something better. I'm obviously missing something.