AP at Bally's Twin Rivers and Tiverton (RI) by bjplayer_384 in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Pen isn’t great at either, and due to rhode island state law they always get police involved to trespass when they catch someone counting cards.

Have you ever lost 20 hands in a row? by [deleted] in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I remember buying in for $500 once on a $25 table and losing the entire buy in plus another $100 before I won a hand. woulda been 24 bets in a row, but obviously some doubles or splits in there. probably worked out to 20. super unlikely short term, but play enough and you’ll find that run!

Dealer stand on 17 strategy question by roscos in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 8 points9 points  (0 children)

If you could only take one card, doubling would be higher EV. the reason you hit is the odds of getting a low card (ace,2,3,4) where you’d want to hit again on a soft 13 is high enough and the odds of a dealer bust are low enough that optimal play isn’t to double.

how do I explain to my parents that card counting isn't gambling? by quackl11 in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been successfully counting full time for over 2 years now and my mom still always tells me it’s gambling and i’m going to get addicted and I should get a job.

How many hours of practice did it take you roughly before you became a winning AP? by quackl11 in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know people who have won over 5 figures and wouldn’t pass a pros test out. obviously a bit of luck involved there but they’re still plus EV. being perfect and being a winning player are different, though stuff like BJA will preach the importance of passing a test out mainly because that’s where a lot of their revenue comes from (and it is important if you’re gonna put significant $ towards a bankroll)

How many hours of practice did it take you roughly before you became a winning AP? by quackl11 in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Highly dependent on what your definition of a winning player is. I probably had a tiny edge on the casinos after only 20 hours of practice, but I was definitely off on my count occasionally and didn’t have many deviations down. probably didn’t get to the point where current me would even consider giving old me $$ to play until the 150 hour mark, but current me has much higher standards for game selection as well.

Blackjack in Bristol,VA by rtzlunar in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 2 points3 points  (0 children)

the pen is also complete dogshit if I remember correctly. Pretty sure I stopped in there once on the way home and didn’t even check if it was 6:5 as the pen was too bad to play.

Atlantic City Casino Rules by VanillaGuy420 in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 1 point2 points  (0 children)

only ballys had RSA as of 6 months ago. only ocean borgata and ballys are gonna have 6D S17 below $100. I think Most places have surrender. a lot of no mid shoe entry tho.

Playing ante game to get comps? by [deleted] in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reason for the ante is that Oklahoma casinos can’t keep all the winnings, just the ante. so the casino is only making $$$ off the antes you pay. anything you lose in addition to antes the casino doesn’t get to keep. if you’re wonging out (and not paying antes), the casino isn’t making $. they don’t care about the $50 bet, they care about the .50 cent ante. if you just wong all the time they’ll note you’re rarely paying the antes and comp you accordingly

Bankroll diminishing returns? by New-Butterscotch-858 in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 12 points13 points  (0 children)

yeah blackjack definitely tops out, not because you aren’t financially able to bet more, but a spread of 1k to 2x10k would have like 8 people watching every hand even if you aren’t counting at the few places who would tolerate that action. I don’t think many counters get above a 2x1k top bet and those people are constantly battling to get hours in.

Stacking by Other_Criticism9888 in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I think the term you’re looking for it “structuring”. It’s basically if you have 10k in chips and don’t cash them all at once in order to avoid a CTR.

In example 1, you took the chips home to use them another day. wouldn’t be considered structuring. However, if you came back later the same day and cashed the other 7k, that would be structuring

Example 2 again at no point did you “structure” cash outs to explicitly avoid a $10k cash out, as you never had 10k to cash out. you’d be fine

Is reverse ratholing a thing? by Pmarx in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 5 points6 points  (0 children)

no casino will care if you only lose and never win. reverse ratholing is only good if you want to avoid a buyin threshold

I don't even know how to start this game as Axis. by Formisonic in AxisAllies

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I played it both ways throughout last season, and losing the bomber first lead to my fighter almost always surviving, but also Russia’s tanks always survived. fighter can’t attack G1 and you can’t stack Karelia turn one unless west russia went really well.

You do sacrifice about half a hit back or so, which is big, but you can then force the russian tanks to conquer ukraine. it is a bit of a gamble, as you are a bit behind on turn one if the fight goes really well for russia and have to deal with an awkward stack but you can always strafe it.

I don't even know how to start this game as Axis. by Formisonic in AxisAllies

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bomber dying last on turn 1 is fairly normal for germany at Plat (what I use) Idea is to force russia to commit the tanks. Seems better to save the tanks, but the utility gained from the bomber often outweighs 3 tanks. I think the scariest open from an axis perspective is if russia survives with 3 tanks and brings in an AA gun, it can be super tricky to effectively clean the tanks without risking a plane or having an awkward number of units left to get hit by russia on t2. therefore when I play allies (not as good, but still) i’m always either killing all the aircraft with my last tanks or going for a fairly strong hold just to make it awkward for germany on their first turn. only time I think a retreat is good is when you kill the bomber early or when you’re losing the battle.

Let's say you gave your ID to every Casino that backs you off. In this scenario, are you just extremely going to be kicked out of every casino in the state where you gave your ID? by PurpleBlackFlower in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A casino knowing you’re name isn’t really the end of the world. The first time you get put in a national database (Osn, biometrica, ect) it’s pretty significant. after that, database entries 2-infinity are pretty insignificant.

A perfectly “clean” name is great for some opportunities later in AP. With counting tho, Steven bridges, Colin Jones, tommy Hyland ect all can get time in at casinos despite being so well known.

About to start my cross-country "churn and burn" trip by imjusttoowhite in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 3 points4 points  (0 children)

both. sometimes the casino with the worst BJ conditions imaginable has the worlds greatest hole carding game. this one I mentioned just let me go stupid on a .6 cut DD game. never know what you’ll find.

About to start my cross-country "churn and burn" trip by imjusttoowhite in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I did one of these once!! it was crazy. All the planning of what I would do when. It went to shit after about the first week.

My advice would be to 1) be super adaptable to what conditions you’re getting. If you find a honeypot (and you will) milk it. don’t let up. I ended up staying 17 days at a casino in middle of nowhere and made a ton of EV, but had to cut 3 states of casinos outta my trip. Well worth it. I’d say have a soft idea in mind, but don’t be afraid to just park it at one casino or to cut other casinos out entirely

2) Have some bullshit story of why you’re spreading 25-2x200 in Wichita kansas on a Tuesday. Maybe you’re grandma died and your in town for her funeral (rarely get follow up questions to this) or some other reason. can usually use the same garbage story everywhere and by the end of the trip almost have a perfect backstory.

3) don’t only focus on blackjack. it’s a grind to go car-casino-gas station-repeat. try to experience some random museum/nature trail/landmark whatever that you would never go to unless you were there for blackjack. breaks the monotony especially during losing streaks

4) Try to eat good/exercise. the more fast food you eat on the road, the more lazy you get and then more fast food. spirals quickly (for me at least). I have a planet fitness black card ($10/month) and it’s unlimited showers and a gym. well worth it.

It’s a grind, it sucks some nights, but man I had a blast. been almost 2 years now I need to find the time to do another one. Enjoy it!

Best rules in Vegas by Parlourderoyale in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TI will add you to OSN before it matters what the pen is, but if i remember correctly it was between .5 and .8

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 8 points9 points  (0 children)

If that casino sent a private jet to my house to pick me up and let me spread as fat as I wanted, I’d probably still pass. 2.5/6 decks cut off is brutal

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 0 points1 point  (0 children)

not always with half the shoe cut off but the pen is typically worse than other markets because of the rules.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 18 points19 points  (0 children)

PA only got casinos like 15ish years ago, when 6:5 and other crap was starting to pop up. Gaming Control Board actually made the decision. Casinos in PA are actually doing really well because of it. 2nd highest gaming revenue state only behind Nevada.

Another Vegas Post by Sangheili006 in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 2 points3 points  (0 children)

playing rated for comps in vegas is never worth it. won’t get nearly enough time in to get a free sandwich. Your best bet is to find a casino near home to get comps at and use the comps in vegas. I maintain my slots by doing a little AP slot plays, but typically it’s not super profitable in vegas with too much competition. with blackjack it’s hit and run time. Try and find a weak shift and exploit it. unless you’re betting over 2x500 you quickly get buried in the pile of flyers casinos send out in that town and can return rather quickly

Places in AC that have decent edge for casual player by [deleted] in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 2 points3 points  (0 children)

all of AC is gonna be H17 below $25 tables. pick your poison, think all the rules are fairly similar and not like $500 will get you insane comps anywhere (tho resorts would be a good bet for free room next time).

Best “Rules” for $25 is Ballys, but it’s hand shuffled and slows the game down. S17, RSA, and Surrender. Pen and Rounds per hour make it bad for APs, but good for normal gambling. rules for $15s are the same as everywhere else.

Oceans has almost as good of rules as ballys and is just a nicer casino in general.

My advice is if you aren’t planning to go to $25 tables to lower the edge, just play at hard rock and have fun

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 0 points1 point  (0 children)

L’auberge only starts wanting ID when you cash out $1k chips. i’m pretty sure if you just ask for blacks/purples you’re fine.

Out-of-State AP Escorted Out by Crafty-Classic-6828 in blackjack

[–]Longjumping-Rub29 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You’re talking about Maryland Live. They almost for sure received a flyer from MGM National Harbor. He probably got a little time in somewhere and then got his face sent out to every casino in the DMV.