KJ BJ expert?

[coach belly]

My basic story and the details about blackjack NEVER changes!

My max bet is between $800 and $1200 depending on the make-up of players at the table. My hourly is above $200.

I said my EV was $200/100 rounds.

Currently I make about $200+ an hour in EV playing blackjack

[MDawg]

Why are you still here?

[jdaewoo]

This retard doesn't gamble.

[mickeycrimm]

Question though Mick? You have more card counting experience that you have let on over the years don't you? probably long ago now, but it is more than you have told us isn't it?

I read Blackjack As A Business in the 80's but I was in Alaska. I did memorize basic strategy as I planned to hit Las Vegas at some point.

In the early 90's I was reading all gambling books and trying to decide which way to go. I chose poker over blackjack. Then about 4 years later I moved to machines but continued to play poker too.

I was all over the map on machines. Anything and everything that showed an advantage. One of the plays that came up was video blackjack. There were some consoles that were countable but they always got torched before I found out about them.

Then there was a WMS video blackjack game that had good rules plus early surrender. It came in at 100.4%. I lost that play when Chicago Sun Times gambling writer, John Growchowski snitched to WMS about the play.

Then later the IGT Game King full pay video blackjack. The payout screen listed it as 99.5%. But two things weren't listed on the rules screen. You could double after split. And split aces catching paint automatically payed 3/2 blackjack with the dealer not having the chance to tie. This brought the game up to 100%.

Both games were single deck, first hand off the top.

In those days the trick was playing on multiplier days where they had same day cashback. Like a casino might have a card worth .3333% cashback and have 3X points on certain days of the week.

Or they might have a drawing promotion where you got tickets based on the amount of action you ran. Some places had a $20 max bet on the video bj. I could easily do a thousand decisions an hour, or a 20K wager per hour.
You had to size up the promotion to see if you could get a good part of the drawing drum.

I gleaned Wizard of Odds single deck compositional strategy from his website and carried the strategy in a pocket notebook for years. I used it whenever I found a casino that had the Game King blackjack and a good promotion going on.

There were several different versions of the Game King blackjack but the good one was easy to identify by it's game rules screen. It had it's own unique rules screen different from all the others.

The one constant in gambling is that everything changes. The game slowly disappeared as houses got hip to what was going on.

[mickeycrimm]

I failed to mention that what made the video blackjack play so good was the low variance compared to video poker. Based on 600 HPH the variance of 9/6 jacks is 19, double bonus 45. Blackjack is like 3.

So when I found decent cashback like 1% it was payday everyday. And in some of those places I was running a 20K per hour wager. I had the game pulled right out from under me a few times.

[kewlJ]

Question though Mick? You have more card counting experience that you have let on over the years don't you? probably long ago now, but it is more than you have told us isn't it?

I read Blackjack As A Business in the 80's but I was in Alaska. I did memorize basic strategy as I planned to hit Las Vegas at some point......

Thank you mickey for a wonderful reply. Boy I would love to read a book of your travels and gambling history. THAT would be an "adventure" worth the read. I know you are very busy playing these days, but maybe sometime when you slow down a little you will consider such a project.

Revere's Playing Blackjack as a Business was also the book that got me started. I purchased a copy, with half the front cover missing at a book sale at the Phila Library in Spring of 2003. After devouring the book, I purchased 8 decks of cards (Atlantic City rules) and began practicing in my free time. PBJaaB was written for Revere's Hi-opt1 count. 3-6 counted as plus, 10 value as minus. Simimalr to hi-lo, except no 2 or ace in the count. Even as a complete novice, it did not make sense to me that the Ace, the most powerful card in terms of removal was not accounted for in the primary count without side counting them.

So I hit the bookstore and read a number of books at the store and purchased Wong's Professional Blackjack were the tags were similar except the ace was included in the high cards, offset by the 2's included with low cards. THAT made a lot more sense to me and is still the count I use today, although I did experiment with another revere level 2 count for about 6 months of actual play.

Anyway, great response and thank you.

Also very interesting about the BJ machines. Must have been a gold mine during that time. probably why when my brother and I found a "glitch" (I don't really think of it as that) last year, you didn't blink an eye. You had seen that kind of thing before with BJ machines.

[smurgerburger]

And of course you had seen "that kind of thing" before...on the forums.

[kewlJ]

And of course you had seen "that kind of thing" before...on the forums.

I have? Where? Show me where I would have read about that. In the 1990's when it sounds like those plays were out there, I was in Jr and Sr high school. Smurger, you people, and you have definitely become one of them are so screwed up, you totally ignore reality in an effort to hate on me.

[smurgerburger]

And of course you had seen "that kind of thing" before...on the forums.

I have? Where? Show me where I would have read about that. In the 1990's when it sounds like those plays were out there, I was in Jr and Sr high school. Smurger, you people, and you have definitely become one of them are so screwed up, you totally ignore reality in an effort to hate on me.

You have misidentified the referent of "you had seen" (although in fact mickey has posted about VBJ here and elsewhere and I'm sure you have read it).


I was referring to the fact that you had read about ETG and video glitches such as Dealer Angels and a certain roulette glitch, at the very least, here and elsewhere when you told your story about the blackjack glitch.

[kewlJ]

And of course you had seen "that kind of thing" before...on the forums.

I have? Where? Show me where I would have read about that. In the 1990's when it sounds like those plays were out there, I was in Jr and Sr high school. Smurger, you people, and you have definitely become one of them are so screwed up, you totally ignore reality in an effort to hate on me.

You have misidentified the referent of "you had seen" (although in fact mickey has posted about VBJ here and elsewhere and I'm sure you have read it).


I was referring to the fact that you had read about ETG and video glitches such as Dealer Angels and a certain roulette glitch, at the very least, here and elsewhere when you told your story about the blackjack glitch.

As usual, YOU would be WRONG. I learned of Dealer Angel from Stanford Wong personally. It was in my first year or two living in Vegas. I lived at Koval/Flamingo and walked the strip most days. One evening I stopped in Westin casino which is on Flamingo between the strip and my home to get a burger at their little cafe that I liked. On the way out, I walked past a man playing Dealers angel that I recognized as Wong. I sat down and played, struck up casual conversation and he told me exactly how it worked.

I have never heard of any roulette glitch.

Dude, your obsession is just taking you down conspiracy theory loony tune paths. It all comes back to you and people like you think I spent 20 years on forums and reading and learning what I could so that I could fool 10 people on an obscure internet forum 20 years later.

JUST STOP and think how crazy that is and you sound saying it?

The fact is I spent years on forums learning all I could to become the advantage player that I have become.

[smurgerburger]

I have? Where? Show me where I would have read about that. In the 1990's when it sounds like those plays were out there, I was in Jr and Sr high school. Smurger, you people, and you have definitely become one of them are so screwed up, you totally ignore reality in an effort to hate on me.

You have misidentified the referent of "you had seen" (although in fact mickey has posted about VBJ here and elsewhere and I'm sure you have read it).


I was referring to the fact that you had read about ETG and video glitches such as Dealer Angels and a certain roulette glitch, at the very least, here and elsewhere when you told your story about the blackjack glitch.

As usual, YOU would be WRONG. I learned of Dealer Angel from Stanford Wong personally. It was in my first year or two living in Vegas. I lived at Koval/Flamingo and walked the strip most days. One evening I stopped in Westin casino which is on Flamingo between the strip and my home to get a burger at their little cafe that I like. On the way out, I walked past a man playing Dealers angel that I recognized as Wong. I sat down and played, struck up casual conversation and he told me exactly how it worked.

I have never heard of any roulette glitch.

Dude, your obsession is just taking you down conspiracy theory loony tune paths. It all comes back to you and people like you think I spent 20 years on forums and reading and learning what I could so that I could fool 10 people on an obscure internet forum 20 years later.

JUST STOP and think how crazy you sound and that is.

You apparently are still not understanding the argument if you think anything you said above contradicts it.

And seedvalue posted about the roulette here.

[kewlJ]

And seedvalue posted about the roulette here.

Well then I didn't see it. I don't always read things that I am not doing or interested in.

[kewlJ]

As usual, one of the haters, smurger, had to ruin a good little discussion with mickey with his hate induced conspiracy theories about me.

What a forum!

[Half Smoke]

.
KJ - I'm curious
in an earlier post you indicated your max bets are between $800 and $1200 -
don't bets of that size increase the likelihood of attention being paid to you, heat from the pit and backoffs - ?

.

[kewlJ]

.
KJ - I'm curious
in an earlier post you indicated your max bets are between $800 and $1200 -
don't bets of that size increase the likelihood of attention being paid to you, heat from the pit and backoffs - ?

.

No. These days, the rule I am working off is "don't be the largest bettor at the table".

So I am looking for a table that has at least 1, preferably 2 (often together) players betting $600-$800 ($1000 even better) range regularly. When I find that, I can spread to $800 and my max bet which I only bet 5-7% of the time, is roughly the same as their bets every round. The rest of the rounds I am well below them. THAT is what provides the cover.

And if I can find a table where someone is betting even larger, (like $1500-$2000 regularly), then I can spread up to $1200. Most of the time my max is $800 though. That is my ideal target because it stays below the key $1000 threshold. The conditions for a $1200 max bet level for me are mostly only found on a really busy big event type Saturday night.

And sometimes like tonight (Friday night into Saturday) if it is not as crowded as I would like and I can't find as many tables with someone betting what I need and want, I will knock my Max down to $600 or even $500. I can almost always find tables with someone betting that amount on a weekend night. That doesn't result in the kind of EV I am looking for, but better than nothing and adds up. And if I have to settle for that smaller amount, it probably isn't quite as crowded and possibly I can get a game that moves a little faster than a full table, which will make up for some of that lost EV. I can also make up lost EV by Max betting slightly earlier.

This strategy seems to be working because I am getting far fewer backoffs now that I used to. It is not really an apples-to-apples comparison since I also play a lot less volume than I used to. It is a trade off.....larger average Max bet, but less rounds.

[Half Smoke]

.
KJ - I'm curious
in an earlier post you indicated your max bets are between $800 and $1200 -
don't bets of that size increase the likelihood of attention being paid to you, heat from the pit and backoffs - ?

.

No. These days, the rule I am working off is "don't be the largest bettor at the table".

So I am looking for a table that has at least 1, preferably 2 (often together) players betting $600-$800 ($1000 even better) range regularly. When I find that, I can spread to $800 and my max bet which I only bet 5-7% of the time, is roughly the same as their bets every round. The rest of the rounds I am well below them. THAT is what provides the cover. And if I can find a table where someone is betting even larger, (like $1500-$2000 regularly), then I can spread up to $1200. Most of the time my max is $800 though. That is my ideal target because it stays below a key $1000 threshold. The conditions for a $1200 max bet level for me are mostly only found on really busy big event type Saturday night.

And sometimes like tonight (Friday night into Saturday) if it is not as crowded as I like and I can't find as many tables with someone betting what I need and want, I will knock my Max down to $600 or even $500. I can almost always find tables with someone betting that amount on a weekend night. That doesn't result in the kind of EV I am looking for, but better than nothing.

This strategy seems to be working because I am getting far fewer backoffs now that I used to. It is not really an apples-to-apples comparison since I also play a lot less volume than I used to.

okay, thanks
what is your minimum bet - ?
don't answer if you feel it could help them identify you
I'm just curious

also you posted "I am getting far fewer backoffs"

after you get backed off do you come back to that casino in a few months or are you totally done with it-?

and my guess is you're not playing rated - isn't that likely to increase their suspicion - ? - since betting at your level would earn you much in comps

again, it's obvious, but no need to answer if the answers would be too telling

it's all very interesting to me and probably to others - I've read just about every significant BJ book - and none that I recall provided as much detail as you do

it's all very beneficial to new and hopeful players

.

[kewlJ]

.
KJ - I'm curious
in an earlier post you indicated your max bets are between $800 and $1200 -
don't bets of that size increase the likelihood of attention being paid to you, heat from the pit and backoffs - ?

.

No. These days, the rule I am working off is "don't be the largest bettor at the table".

So I am looking for a table that has at least 1, preferably 2 (often together) players betting $600-$800 ($1000 even better) range regularly. When I find that, I can spread to $800 and my max bet which I only bet 5-7% of the time, is roughly the same as their bets every round. The rest of the rounds I am well below them. THAT is what provides the cover. And if I can find a table where someone is betting even larger, (like $1500-$2000 regularly), then I can spread up to $1200. Most of the time my max is $800 though. That is my ideal target because it stays below a key $1000 threshold. The conditions for a $1200 max bet level for me are mostly only found on really busy big event type Saturday night.

And sometimes like tonight (Friday night into Saturday) if it is not as crowded as I like and I can't find as many tables with someone betting what I need and want, I will knock my Max down to $600 or even $500. I can almost always find tables with someone betting that amount on a weekend night. That doesn't result in the kind of EV I am looking for, but better than nothing.

This strategy seems to be working because I am getting far fewer backoffs now that I used to. It is not really an apples-to-apples comparison since I also play a lot less volume than I used to.

okay, thanks
what is your minimum bet - ?
don't answer if you feel it could help them identify you
I'm just curious

also you posted "I am getting far fewer backoffs"

after you get backed off do you come back to that casino in a few months or are you totally done with it-?

.

Yeah, I am going to pass on answering the minimum bet question. I have answered it earlier this week, but given the information I just did about Max bets don't want to post it again right here. I don't need to tell casinos my exact spread. But my minimum bet is not my first bet made at zero count. I spread both ways for cover and appearance of a smaller spread, so I want to be able to drop down a notch when the count goes negative.

Besides cover, being able to spread down to minimum wager allows you to stay at the table a little bit longer. Like if my traditional exit point is -2 when playing minimum at zero and less, then I can go to -3 when spreading down to minimum wager in negative counts only. That helps when playing more crowded conditions where I can't jump around as easily.

After a backoff I think there has only been 1 this year unless I am forgetting one, but I have the same rule I have always had. I avoid that casino for a couple months and when I return I try to avoid the pit critter and dealer I was playing with during the backoff for another couple month. So the only difference now is that playing only weekend nights, I probably can't avoid the pit critter and dealer for the "extra couple months" so I end up avoiding the entire casino for about 4 months. Maybe 3 if the backoff was mild.

[Half Smoke]

.
I'll post this one more time since you were typing at the same time as I was editing my post and didn't get to it

"and my guess is you're not playing rated - isn't that likely to increase their suspicion - ? - since betting at your level would earn you much in comps

it's all very interesting to me and probably to others - I've read just about every significant BJ book - and none that I recall provided as much detail as you do

it's all very beneficial to new and hopeful players"

and it is much appreciated

.

[kewlJ]

.
I'll post this one more time since you were typing at the same time as I was editing my post and didn't get to it

"and my guess is you're not playing rated - isn't that likely to increase their suspicion - ? - since betting at your level would earn you much in comps

it's all very interesting to me and probably to others - I've read just about every significant BJ book - and none that I recall provided as much detail as you do

it's all very beneficial to new and hopeful players"

and it is much appreciated by me - I find it quite interesting

.

No I do not play rated. If you play rated, you can not count cards on the strip for any real money and survive for long despite what some fantasy reports claim. I know there are players that think playing unrated immediately draws additional attention. I just don't find that to be the case. maybe it is because of the weekend night thing and being crowded with a lot of people that aren't living in Vegas and playing regularly and rated.

try telling the trolls and haters here that what I post isn't from BJ books, but rather mostly from my own experiences.

I appreciate the comments. Despite all the trolling, even on this small forum, I always hope that sharing my experiences may help someone. Not necessarily one of the 10 regular members but someone reading occasionally that doesn't post much, or even someone that comes along later a reads something.

I really got to get to bed though if I want to be up for the Eagles game, which the way they have been playing.....

[MDawg]

UNKewlJ's stupidity explained: mental illness.