My wife enjoys playing blackjack and slots for fun. She plays $25 or $50 minimum single deck (RO6, H17, NDAS) about 10-15 hours per week at the Horseshoe and Grand in Tunica, MS, both Harrahs properties, and is known by name on sight by most of the pit. She's friendly and fun, never abuses dealers or players, and tips well. She knows about 95% of the single deck basic strategy, but occasionally plays "hunches." Although she has never learned or studied a formal card counting system, she "watches the 10's come out" and raises her bet up to a maximum of 3 or 4 times the table minimum when she thinks there is a surplus of 10's left in the deck, and lowers her bet when she thinks there are fewer 10's left. This is certainly informal and includes no ratios or any systematic calculations. Over the last two years she has won more than she has lost, including her slot play.
Recently, she sat down at a table in the High limit area of the Horseshoe in Tunica, MS and turned in her card. Before playing a hand, the pit phone rang, and after a short discussion the pit boss hung up, and sheepishly said, "____, you can only flat bet now." The floor manager immediately came over and said, "Sorry ____, we've decided you can only flat bet." She said, "How come? I don't even know perfect basic strategy?" He said, "We know. But we've been watching for 3 years and you play too smart. Upstairs decided you can only flat bet."
Is it really possible that such a large corporation is incapable of accurately determining if someone has a long term edge vs. a lucky run? It seems inconceivable to me and runs counter to expert opinion that her method of play could possibly result in a long term edge; coupled with her slot play, it seems laughable and ludicrous. Ironically, in their misguided attempt to protect their blackjack game, these buffoons are costing their shareholders money.
