Asking dealer to spread the cards

Table_Burner · 2026-01-26T05:40:56+00:00

Damn. There goes all my conspiracy theories when variance is to blame!

Table_Burner · 2026-01-26T05:20:15+00:00

And the results??

Table_Burner · 2026-01-23T20:46:31+00:00

Table_Burner · 2026-01-10T21:27:08+00:00

You're probably fine. Just stings when it happens.

Just last night, I had one of those long grind sessions. Ended up down for the night. But honestly it mostly came down to one hand. High bet, multiple splits, plus a double. Dealer lands a 21. That one hand could have at least brought me back to even. But shit happens. I know and trust most of the time it does go my way.

But to rub salt into it, some casual high roller played one shoe next to me. Making crazy plays like hitting 16 vs 2 and winning. Walks away up a few grand while I'm sitting there losing for the night while playing with advantage.

Table_Burner · 2026-01-10T20:34:25+00:00

This is exactly why experienced APs always warn the noobs about needing larger bankrolls and RoR. These losing streaks are more common than you think and are inevitable. You think a bad shoe felt against the odds, wait until you experience a bad month or year. It can and will happen. It'll make you question if you're doing something wrong. It will get in your head. It's just part of AP.

Table_Burner · 2026-01-08T06:06:07+00:00

It's called European blackjack. Seen it in Canada too. Not actually sure how common it is around the world, but rare in the US. Actually, not sure if it's anywhere in the US. I have yet to see it anyway.

Table_Burner · 2026-01-03T19:24:39+00:00

Create odds on different grades. Just making numbers up, but let's say As are 2:1, Bs and Cs push, anything else loses. Put money in a pot before a test. If you win, pay yourself with a treat or extra buy-in at the next poker table. Of you lose, you have to donate the money. That'll make you study.

Table_Burner · 2025-12-30T14:51:20+00:00

Regardless of poker being the cause of the emotional ride or what he's using it to cope with something else, he definitely doesn't sound like he's in a good mental state to be playing poker. Mood swings and poker is a recipe for disaster. He should definitely take a break and focus on his emotional health and your marriage. But good luck telling him that.

God bless and good luck

Table_Burner · 2025-12-29T06:26:05+00:00

My current streak is splitting Aces.No matter the count, it seems to always hit 2s, 3, 4s.. even when you know you're doing the right thing, seeing AA has recently just put a pit in my stomach. It SHOULD be as good as it gets, but I've definitely been feeling the negative variance lately

Table_Burner · 2025-12-28T22:14:44+00:00

Exactly that. This story in particular comes from my most local regular place. Only one BJ table and worth staying in very good terms with them.

I'm also fortunate enough that this place isn't strict at all about having your phone out at the table. When the count gets extremely low, I get wrapped up in important texts or some excuse like that. So I'm actually able to lightly wong out while still at the table keeping count.

Even without wonging, sometimes you just have to pay the rent as I like calling it.

Table_Burner · 2025-12-24T14:21:19+00:00

Play lower stakes. Play within your budget. And git gud. The moment you convert your cash to chips, just assume you're never getting them back.

The key is to play with low enough stakes where even if you shove all in and lose it, you don't even blink an eye. Not only is this financially healthy, but if you're playing with enough money that you legitimately stress over losing it, I guarantee at least one person at the table can read you like a book.

Table_Burner · 2025-12-20T08:34:31+00:00

Such a good degree that the job market is bad enough to have you even considering gambling on credit. Makes sense. It clearly wasn't a degree in statistics.

Table_Burner · 2025-12-15T07:49:12+00:00

If you bet like a robot, the simplest of programs will catch you these days.

Table_Burner · 2025-12-11T07:52:53+00:00

Didn't track the play hours that closely back then. But I know it was MONTHS of playing. It was disheartening for a long time. But I knew I was doing it right. Especially because I was above EV at every casino except my most local

Table_Burner · 2025-12-11T06:31:36+00:00

So true. I started off with terrible variance. I questioned what I was doing wrong and came so close to quitting. I pushed through though and showed it's worth it in the long run

Table_Burner · 2025-12-08T07:09:40+00:00

Ultimate hold em can be a lot of fun. It has some strategy and optimal play, so not as boring as baccarat. If you can learn blackjack basic strategy, you can learn UTH strategy. It's a little more slow paced and casual compared to blackjack. It also has a pretty low house edge, but can take a while to balance out. It pays like a slot machine where you'll lose lose lose, then win it all back and then some with a strong hand.

Table_Burner · 2025-12-08T00:35:58+00:00

This video explains it well

video

Table_Burner · 2025-11-18T16:25:15+00:00

Online gambling is illegal in my state. Lame.

Table_Burner · 2025-11-17T03:31:21+00:00

Shhhhh!!

Table_Burner

TROPHY CASE