I'll tell you something else about that friendship that I value including something I have never shared before. I had a session back in 2011 which I originally wrote about on a blackjack forum and later reposted the story at WoV, calling it the "perfect shoe". The (6 deck) shoe was "perfect" on two fronts. Started out with 2 other players. After a couple rounds of small cards coming out and all of us losing to dealer 4 and 5 card 20's and 21's., the other 2 dropped out, leaving me playing heads up with a monster count. From that point on playing my max bet and even what I called a super max bet of 50% higher than my normal max bet, I didn't lose a hand. I don't know how many rounds there were, probably close to 40 and I pushed on one hand (side story) and one hand that I spit, I won 1 and lost one for a push, but won every other round. Oddly, or maybe "funnily", I received no blackjacks despite the monster high count with lots of aces and 10 value remaining.

So my now friend was working the pit that day. I don't remember seeing him, so I don't think he was on my table, but he was in the pit and knew what was happening. I avoided a backoff, exiting immediately at the shuffle and weaving my way to the door without cashing out. So I met this guy sometime later at a bar a mile from the strip where this session occurred. He introduced himself, bought me a beer, told me he was in the pit and witnessed the play and informed me not to play at that casino on his shift or he would trespass me. He bought another beer and we talked for a while and became friends

So why didn't he trespass or back me off that day when the session occurred? Well in part because I had rapidly exited not giving anyone that chance. But he could have waited until I next played again. the answer is that he is also a card counter in his own time. Obviously not professional. recreational or hobby, or whatever you want to call it. His Max bet is only $100 (still I think), so he is only making hobby type money. BUT, we have talked a lot of blackjack over the years. He frequently asks questions and advice and I have shared a lot of things that I am sure helped his game. So it has been a good friendship for both

A truly one of a kind (probably not) Vegas type friendship between a card counter and pit critter.