What should I be playing?

[Serial Fail]

I make the occasional trip out to Wendover and, with it being such a small gambling town, the options aren't too large out there. The only poker games going are usually 1-2NL and 2-5 spread. The only other choice I will make is counting cards at the blackjack table.

So, which of my two gambling options is my best choice?

The 1-2NL and 2-5 Spread rake is 10% of each pot up to $4 and, depending on the casino, either $1 or $2 goes to the BB jackpot per hand.

The blackjack games pay 3:2 for blackjack, 2:1 on insurance and almost all of the casinos offer single deck BJ and they deal through the entire deck.

Which would be a better gamble out there? Does counting cards swing the BJ odds enough in my favor where it would be better to do that rather than try to beat the rake at the 1-2NL game?

[Dan Druff]

I make the occasional trip out to Wendover and, with it being such a small gambling town, the options aren't too large out there. The only poker games going are usually 1-2NL and 2-5 spread. The only other choice I will make is counting cards at the blackjack table.

So, which of my two gambling options is my best choice?

The 1-2NL and 2-5 Spread rake is 10% of each pot up to $4 and, depending on the casino, either $1 or $2 goes to the BB jackpot per hand.

The blackjack games pay 3:2 for blackjack, 2:1 on insurance and almost all of the casinos offer single deck BJ and they deal through the entire deck.

Which would be a better gamble out there? Does counting cards swing the BJ odds enough in my favor where it would be better to do that rather than try to beat the rake at the 1-2NL game?

They are very sensitive about the blackjack in Wendover and will bar you quickly. I know a guy who got barred from every casino in town within an hour.

That rake is a killer because of the BB jackpot.

Don't bother with the 2-5 spread. That game will play smaller than the 1-2 NL.

I would suggest the 1-2 NL, but you might be -EV due to the rake, even if you're the best at the table.

[Serial Fail]

Would the size of my bets keep my from grabbing attention? I'm far from a baller and I am only betting $5 up to $20 per hand when the count is high. I banter like crazy at the table and I don't really grab much attention. Do you think I'd pull the attention of a pit boss long enough for him to determine whether or not he thinks I am counting cards? Would they care enough to throw out a card counter who is betting, usually, $5 a hand?

[JSTAT]

Would the size of my bets keep my from grabbing attention? I'm far from a baller and I am only betting $5 up to $20 per hand when the count is high. I banter like crazy at the table and I don't really grab much attention. Do you think I'd pull the attention of a pit boss long enough for him to determine whether or not he thinks I am counting cards? Would they care enough to throw out a card counter who is betting, usually, $5 a hand?

Spreading $5 - $20 at single deck blackjack should not give you heat. Don't make $25+ bets. This might cause the dealer to call out "Green Action" to the pit. Knowing the perfect ratio of 10's vs. non tens provides positive e.v. on insurance bets. Perfect insurance betting also brings some heat, but we need to utilize it to win at SD. Use a level 2 count and side count the aces for optimal results. If the game offers the Royal Match side bet, count the red and black cards. Red = +1 and Black = -1. Make the RM bet at +4 or -4. Good luck!

[Serial Fail]

Druff, I think I read somewhere that you practiced counting cards with a computer program? Do you know of any websites/programs that are like the one that you practiced on?

[Sandwich]

IThe blackjack games pay 3:2 for blackjack, 2:1 on insurance and almost all of the casinos offer single deck BJ and they deal through the entire deck.

This (bolded & italicized) part is VERY surprising to me. A single deck game that deals through the ENTIRE deck?? This seems like a cardcounter's dream scenario. Couldn't a proficient counter gain a MASSIVE edge toward the end of each deck, to the point where he almost KNOWS what cards are coming out next?

[Serial Fail]

IThe blackjack games pay 3:2 for blackjack, 2:1 on insurance and almost all of the casinos offer single deck BJ and they deal through the entire deck.

This (bolded & italicized) part is VERY surprising to me. A single deck game that deals through the ENTIRE deck?? This seems like a cardcounter's dream scenario. Couldn't a proficient counter gain a MASSIVE edge toward the end of each deck, to the point where he almost KNOWS what cards are coming out next?

Yeah, I had always strolled right by the BJ games because I assumed they didn't deal the whole deck. I was playing last Friday and they literally dealt through the entire deck. I was playing 3rd base and wanted to hit and the dealer had to call the pit boss over the ask for a reshuffle because he only had one card left.

The reshuffle actually helped me. When he added the one remaining card to the rest and shuffled I could see the black mark on the card indicating that it was a 10-value. After the reshuffle I hit a 6 to 20 and won the hand.

[craftbeerdrinker]

I play 3 card poker, 4 card poker, sports bets, War, baccarat, craps, caribbean stud, ultimate holdem, blackjack and paigow. The best odds are regular blackjack (with blackjack paying 3:2). I mainly play these games for entertainment.

Online I stick to online poker but very low limit because of the difficulty playing in the US. I've been trying to play duplicate poker but still not sure if its legal or not.

[GrenadaRoger]

What should I be playing?


Carnal Solitare....it usually has a happy ending

[jsearles22]

I play 3 card poker, 4 card poker, sports bets, War, baccarat, craps, caribbean stud, ultimate holdem, blackjack and paigow. The best odds are regular blackjack (with blackjack paying 3:2). I mainly play these games for entertainment.

Online I stick to online poker but very low limit because of the difficulty playing in the US. I've been trying to play duplicate poker but still not sure if its legal or not.

Casino WAR FTW. The only way you lose this game is by dealing winning pushes. Play some ABC war and your roll will last hours!