Masks were a big benefit during covid. BUT it was more than just masks. For a while there after re-opening pit folks had a lot of extra added responsibilities. Like wiping down seats after a player left before the next player could sit down and play. I saw places where pit folks actually did this and other places where they needed to co-ordinate with a cleaner person. Either way it was another thing they had to do, besides just watch the games, which was a good thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenKinG
Despite all that 2020 (covid year) was my worst year to date. :confused: Despite the 3 month closure, I still racked up decent EV, but just came in way below Ev or expectation. Maybe covid and all the shit somehow threw me off my game....I don't know.
BINGO!! You kind of answered your own question ZK. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenKinG
Longevity was and still is my top priority. Everything I did was planned out with longevity in mind. Large rotation, short sessions, staying at certain betting levels. Not showing spread a second time is a big one. I have been pretty good about sharing much of it, as much as I could and probably then some.
And some of the things I did had a cost.
* Card counter basic strategy for example has a cost. Lower EV. But pit (and survelilance) wont see you play the same hand differently at different times, which is one of the card counter "tells".
* Spreading both ways, meaning not starting shoe with minimum bet has a cost in EV. But starting each shoe at minimum bet is a big tell of a card counter.
* Even the large rotation has a cost as there aren't 30+ really good games, so to round out my rotation, I am playing some very mediocre games instead. There is a cost to that vs playing only the best games.
Some of these things the cost is in EV (lower win rate), while others the cost may be higher variance. Different bet spreads at different casinos (whatever I think they can tolerate), increases or invites more variance. Sometimes, not often but sometimes, I play two entirely different bet spreads at the same table during the same session. Think spread 1 $25-$300, spread #2 $75- $$500. THIS really creates higher variance!
These are all things I was and am willing to compromise in the name of longevity. And there is a cost to everything.
The final piece to the puzzle is you HAVE to take a break from casino and individual pit folks when heat occurs. This is another area where large rotation comes into play. Obviously a backoff you want to stay away from the casino for several months and the particular pit guy for longer. And this works! Contrarians will say, pit folks remember faces. Of course they do. It is the particulars of the incident involved that caused heat that will fade.
An example would be a big win. While I do things to minimize a big win that draws attention, like short sessions, sometimes you just have a really good shoe and win big. the kind of win that draws a little attention. I treat it just like a backoff and stay away from that pit person for a while. So 3-4 months later when I see him, sure he will recognize me, but does he remember the bigger win? I play unrated so there is no record for him to review.
If I were to show up the next day after such a win or a week later when still fresh, I can guarantee I would get extra scrutiny (be hawked). 3 months later? Do they still remember a big win that is unrecorded? From my experience no.
It is just a bunch of little, and a few bigger things all geared toward longevity. At every step of the way, just try not to rock the boat. I don't know if it will last forever, but it has worked a good long time.
