I guess you could say I am a born again counter; I first read Thorpe's book Beat the Dealer in 1969. I learned how to count 5s and 10s reasonably well. (unlike Thorpe, the Casinos would have happily sent a limo for me)
During the 70s and early 80s I took several trips to Reno and LV with some success and never went back until approx. one year ago. I picked up a basic strategy chart and to my surprise there were few changes and I still remembered it.
After my trip last year I was fooling around on the Internet and found this site, to my amazement I realized that people were still counting. I started practicing again and started to learn Hi/Lo, before becoming proficient I switched to KO, purchased the book KO blackjack, blackjack attack, basic blackjack and several others. I have been practicing and counting for about a year and while reasonably proficient I have taken it slowly, as my skill increases.
Day One- Mid January - I Arrive in LV in the early evening with my wife and two sisters in tow. I was so impressed with the changes in LV over the last 18 Years I wanted to show it to my sisters and my wife. (who had never been there.) After checking in to the Luxor and checking the current BJ News I wandered over to Mandalay Bay's 6 deck $10.00 limit game (-26 EV) this is similar to the game I am used to, (6 deck -54 EV). The highlight was when I wound up with a total of 4 two's in front of me vs. the dealers 6. I received an 8 on the first one, doubled down, received a 7 on the next and doubled again. I forget the totals exactly, but I lost a total of 6 units on one hand. I know it wasn't the dealers fault but regardless, I hated him for it anyway. (Thereafter whenever I won a hand I found myself thinking ok now pay me you prick.) Do you think I have the temperament to be a pro?
Shortly after this I was getting heat from the pit-no, no, not for my counting prowess but for pounding my head on the table after losing large bets at high counts. (Apparently even in Las Vegas this is considered bad form)
After losing $150.00 in 1.5 hours I hit the sheets after a long day.
Day Two-I convince the group (two sisters and wife) to follow me around to see the sights, secretly I'm trying to get them to the MGM Grand, as there is a 6 Deck $5.00 limit game there (-.26EV). Finally I arrive at MGM, park them in front of slot machines and head to the game. I enjoyed myself, held the group off for an hour and won about $110.00. (Always more fun when you win) Left there and headed down the strip, we have now been walking for about 3- 4 hours and I notice certain reluctance in the group to continue (told them to get in shape) We wound up at Caesars' Palace and at the free show, one was falling asleep on the step at the aquarium and another was sleeping standing up, but what the hell its good exercise for all. Reluctantly I agreed to take a cab back to the Luxor and get ready for the show at TI, "Mystere" I would Highly recommend it, truly amazing. After the show we went to the Rio for the seafood buffet. The buffet doesn't have the best ambiance, but absolutely terrific food. We had just enough time to pay as they close at 11:00pm and leave the food out till 11:30pm. I made a great deal with the bar which was also closing at 11:00, I was worried that I would run out of wine, went for one more glass for 6.50, the barkeep says I can have the whole bottle for $12.00, (wonderful deal as I now no longer have to listen to the wife whine about me drinking all of hers.) Hats off to the very patient waiter (tipped him $5.00) left about 12:30.
Day Three-I'm determined to get downtown and play a single or double deck game, which I haven't played in about 18 Years. The group threatens to revolt when I suggest that we walk, so we take a cab. There was more talk of mutiny when I try to get the cab to stop at the gamblers bookstore on 11th (never did get there). I played for about an hour at downtown casino (-.18EV) and won $120.00, very enjoyable listening to the banter between the dealer and an older and good player at the same table. He was betting big I was betting $10.00+ and was invisible. Surprisingly I didn't have any trouble converting from my usual 6-deck game to 1 and 2 deck games, thanks to Parker re: adjusting Initial running count, key and pivot counts. We then went for a buffet at the Freemont (I could have the wrong name) Good ambiance, good food, but not as good as the Rio (fake butter). Foolishly I didn't consult my Current Blackjack News and wandered over to the Horseshoe and played their 2 deck game (-.48 EV) for about 3 hours (instead of the one deck game at -.15EV) and dropped about $300.00 by being stupid. I have discovered that alcohol and blackjack go together about as well as guns and alcohol. After numerous beers and playing too long I was making mistakes, so I quit and called it a night.
Day Three Wee Hours- My sister who has a heart condition, faints, (maybe it was all the walking) the ambulance crew to their credit arrives in minutes, mind boggling how quick they were. Five of them arrive on the scene, one of which is a gorgeous blond, I wanted to chat her up (wife was off playing slots) I'm not sure, but somehow it seemed inappropriate. My oldest Sister comes upon this scene, her sister is lying on a stretcher with an oxygen mask, 4 ambulance guys (and the blond) surrounding her and she says to me what happened? I reply I don't know. She then says you wont believe this, I say believe what? She says I just won $180.00 on a slot machine. Feel the Love! God forbid I should have a heart attack; this crew would step over my prostate body to get to a machine.
After this crisis I go to bed, sisters go to bed and wife heads for the slots. I tossed and turned for a while (did I miss an opportunity with the blond? Should I have said something? Damn). Don't get me wrong I wouldn't fool around on my wife, welllll I might, but only under one circumstance that I can think of, and that is---- if I ever get a chance. I get up after a few minutes (3:45AM) and go to the Casino, find the wife and convince her, as this is our last night we should go over to Mandalay Bay. (actually I was looking for revenge for my loss on the first night) We get over there, I cant get a table, and the minimum bet was $25.00 anyway, a little rich for my blood at this stage. I need about 2-3 month yet before I go green. I convince her to go back to the Luxor and go to bed. (Not an easy task after we just got there)
Day Four-7:50 AM the phone wakes me out of a dead sleep (we are supposed to be picked up by the tour bus at 8:00am and make for the airport) Its my oldest sister on the phone (you remember, the compassionate one) she's wondering where we are. In a wild panic, heart pounding, wife screaming, we throw everything in our suitcases and head for the Lobby. Apparently it was my job to get us up on time, so the wife was pissed she didn't have any time to put any makeup on, we are like that old joke. At one time we couldn't get enough of each other, sex all the time, morning noon and night, now our sex life consists of when we pass each other in the hall in the morning still groggy with sleep she says f**k you and I reply ya well f**k you too. Anyway, we miss the bus and take a taxi.
Summation- Played only about 6.5 Hours and lost about $320.00- Learned some good lessons. If you want to play some serious blackjack don't try to be a tour guide, don't play if you are tired, drinking. Pissed at myself for playing the wrong game at Binions and pleased with the ease of converting from 6 deck to 1 & 2 decks. Overall had a terrific time, truly a one of a kind place and I have to hand it to you, our American cousins that this place could only exist in the U.S.A. (next time I'm going with the boys)
