Humor - 13 Ways to Get Extra Attention at the Blackjack Table

This reminds me of my last trip to Vegas in October. I was counting cards using a very simple strategy "Golden Touch Blackjack". I know if is not the most sophisticated strategy, but it is the best my brain can handle while having a few beers. Anyway, in order to no draw attention to my counting, I was randomly yelling NINE whenever I took a hit. If I had a 12, I yelled NINE. If I had a 15, I yelled NINE. If my first card dealt was an Ace, I yelled NINE.

Eventually, the pit boss called me a German with turrets, but I doubt they had any clue I was counting cards. Anyway, a woman sat next to me and was doing bird calls and the pit boss stayed as far away as possible. I did not win much money, but I laughed so hard I was crying.

I remember the documentary about the MIT Blackjack Counting ring....they always had one character at the table whose only job was to take attention away from the card counter. Usually he was dressed in loud clothing, was mouthy to the dealers and his neighbors, and bet very low limits......meanwhile, the card counter at the table was betting big limits.

Actually the card counter at the table was betting very low and signaled in a big player when the count was high. The idea was that they could not suspect the big player because he wasn't at the table all along. The big better also usually had a cocktail in his hand.

To prevent this happening again, many casinos at the beginning let no players in during mid-deck. I had to stay at Circus-Circus and had a blackjack coupon that allowed me to receive double my bet on a five dollar bet. The dealer pointed to the sign and said I couldn't enter the table. I couldn't believe how stupid that rule was.

Later on, casinos put a rule in that if you were entering mid-deck you could not bet more than $200 per hand.

Now I know why I play Video Poker instead of Blackjack. It's just so much less agita.

Rick

I can remember playing blackjack on the graveyard shift at the Golden Gate about twenty years ago. While others were betting $2 per hand, I was betting $25 and winning big. Other than doubling down or splitting I wasn't increasing my bets. I had everybody of management in the pit standing at my table including one security guard. While I know they were trying to intimidate me, it didn't work, because I wasn't counting or doing anything else wrong. I had one player ask me why I was drawing so much heat and I told him that it was probably because I was putting the grave yard shift into the red.

It is funny how casinos want guests to know that counting can help even the odds, but yet they go way overboard in trying to prevent counting. A counter has to be virtually perfect in order to even the odds or gain any advantage over the house. Even if they have a tiny advantage they will experience losing streaks.

Why do you say that casinos want guests to know that counting can help even the odds?

I think that casinos generally want their customers to know nothing about counting, because counting is the only reliable legal method of gaining an edge at the tables.

What makes you think casinos want players to know what card counting can do for them?

Because they sell books about it in their bookstores. This is a no brainer. They want people to have the perception that they can beat the house.

Hmm, I'm not convinced. I've seen casinos offer Blackjack Lessons but not Card-Counting Lessons. Closest I've seen is Bob Dancer's VP act at a few places around town, but I think his students, on average, still fail to break even even after comps.

And frankly, I haven't seen card counting books in casino bookstores, so I'm questioning you there. Dubious strategy cards yes, but not serious card counting how-tos, stuff by Wong or Snyders or the KO guys.

I don't think casinos want bj players to know that counting can help even the odds, I just think you're wrong about that.

Okay now you are changing the playing surface. I didn't say casinos offer counting classes, I said they offer books that talk about counting in their general stores. Just like with perfect VP strategy, I think casinos want customers to believe there is a chance to win at their games. Most people who think they can adequately count cards, can't. There are adjustments to the count depending upon the penetration in the deck and also counting of aces that have shown. Dealers are trained to talk to suspected counters to try and break their concentration. Since we don't have the book selection offered at each LV hotel, I guess we can't prove one way or the other. I know I've seen Beat the Dealer in the past.

I remember when the movie 21 came out. Dealers and bosses alike were excited that it would increase the number of people playing. I've seen no stats on if it did or not but I would be suprised if it didn't.

It's important to get as many people at the tables as possible. Now more than ever. Give the average person the belief that he has an edge and he will plop down next months rent AND his beer money. A little back handed encouragement of card counting can only help.

The casinos know the odds. They know them for the average player, they know them for the basic strategist and they know them for the card counters. They have procedures for watching their games and if a card counter trips one of their "alarms" they will be asked to leave.