This may not mean much to you if you are not into math, but I did a linear regression on my counting sessions. It is the only way to calculate your actual hourly win and standard deviation. I used the number of hours played as the independent variable and the session win as the dependent variable.
This should lead to the following result: the intercept should equal zero, the slope should equal my hourly win, and the standard error of the slope should be my hourly standard deviation.
I was a little surprised when the intercept was $364 and the slope was -$71. This means that the instant I walk into the casino I immediately win $364 and then lose $71 every hour I stay there.
Now, I don't have many data points and the r squared is only .005, but it did give me some insight into my playing habits.
If a session starts out very well, I tend to cut it short, either because of heat or fear of drawing attention. If a session starts off bad, I tend to continue playing trying to recoup my losses. This leads to short winning sessions and long losing or break even sessions.
After thinking about this, I guess I am content with this behaviour though it would be seen as degenerate behaviour in a typical gambler. Drawing out losing sessions lets the pit think I am a compulsive gambler who just can't quit when he is losing. It also offers tax benefits by evening out losing sessions which are not deductible from AGI.
I haven't decided how I feel about cutting winning sessions short. I have had my share of pit attention when I sit down and immediately hit a hot shoe. I cannot imagine that continuing to win in such a situation would go unnoticed. Though it is frustrating to think I have to leave just because I am winning.
I guess I am just doomed to have a negative slope.
