Q on modern BJ in the real world

[fless]

Hi;
I am very interested in BJ, so far on a theoretical level. How do the BJ professionals play today? I feel my sources are somewhat aged, suggesting counting, team play, disguises etc. Is this still the way to go?
1. Is spooking and front loading still applicable?
2. Is one- & two-deck games still available? Are they more profitable than shoe games?
3. Any major innovations since Uston's days?
4. I read Sklansky/Malmuths BJ stuff in gambling for a living, as well as various stuff on Uston etc. They suggest counting and touring the states for staying in cognito and unnoticed by the casiono personnel. Is this the major strategy used by pros?
5. Is dealer tells a realistic way to go?
6. Is ace tracking a realistic option?
7. What about shuffle tracking?
8. First basing?

I am very greatful for all real-life insight!

Best;
Lasse
Sweden

(My first post on 2+2 btw)

[SheetWise]

Yes. Yes/No. Yes. Yes. Yes. No. No. No.

[fless]

Thx SheetWise. Please feel free to elaborate on #2b, #3 & #5... /images/graemlins/wink.gif
BR;
Lasse

[SheetWise]

#2 - A hand held deck is selective shuffle, they'll shuffle up if you raise your wager significantly. 30 years ago we used to raise our bet to table limit on any negative count, and they would shuffle -- we got to play -0- and + counts only. They're not that stupid anymore. Stupid ... but not that stupid.

#3 - One of the major changes from the '70's is that when you have a winning strategy -- don't write a book. When it quits winning -- write the book.

#5 - Dealer tells are real. You can't sit there all night, or leave every time the dealer is on break and then come back -- so you'll only get about 40 minutes to play. You need to develop a deep book of dealers, which club, which shift, etc. A book of about 150 dealers can keep you working full time.

[CORed]

I was under the impression that dealer tells are useful primarily in games where the dealer manually peeks for blackjack. Most games I've played at (a pretty small sample to be sure) use either the magnetic sensor or the prism device to check for blackjack, so the dealer doesn't know what his hole card is if he doesn't have a blackjack. What other information would you get from dealer tells? Or are games where the dealer peeks more common than I think?

[fless]

Thx a lot SheetWise. Great inside info!
2&3 seems to make perfect sense.

Very interesting to hear about the tells. They work in poker, so why not in bj? Great stuff again; thanks a lot!
All the best!
Lasse

[SheetWise]

Or are games where the dealer peeks more common than I think?

They're common in Nevada.

Honestly though, if you're trying to take advantage of dealers -- it's a lot easier in craps. Dealers who get flustered, or have selective memory when tipped are a lot more reliable and easy to find. A hit and run strategy, 5-10 minutes at table can be a lot more profitable than BJ.

[Nemesis]

please elaborate on taking advantage of the craps dealers. There are a few who I know would have selective memories. What way is there to take advantage of them?

[cardcounter0]

1. Is spooking and front loading still applicable?
Yes.
2. Is one- & two-deck games still available? Are they more profitable than shoe games?
Yes. Depends.
3. Any major innovations since Uston's days?
Too many to list.
4. I read Sklansky/Malmuths BJ stuff in gambling for a living, as well as various stuff on Uston etc. They suggest counting and touring the states for staying in cognito and unnoticed by the casiono personnel. Is this the major strategy used by pros?
Yes.
5. Is dealer tells a realistic way to go?
No.
6. Is ace tracking a realistic option?
Yes.
7. What about shuffle tracking?
Yes.
8. First basing?
Yes.

[SheetWise]

[ QUOTE ]
please elaborate on taking advantage of the craps dealers. There are a few who I know would have selective memories. What way is there to take advantage of them?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's simply a matter of rhythm. You have to know the game better than they do, and pay close attention to their actions. Look for inside stick games. When playing the come, it's calling odds working/off -- and on come out getting a working call if a point hits, odds returned on seven. A good dealer will always ask -- no point playing with good dealers. On the back, it's having a number left up after a hit. The money player as the dealers first and associate as his last can at the appropriate moment distract the dealer to the props. These gains are huge. These are normal mistakes dealers make -- they can be encouraged. I've "seen" players betting $150 ($50 + odds) gain $1500-2000 on errors in less than 15 minutes with the right dealer -- and without any arguments.

[Biloxi]

Ive never seen a dealer look at his cards. Must be old school places. And sheetwise is right about craps dealers, though it is difficult and rare to find unless you play big. I saw a guy betting MAX on DC and tipping every win. The dealer "forgot" to take his DC when 7 came first roll. But other then that Ive only seen minor mistakes. You would pretty much have to play many hours a day at multiple casinos to find such dealers. Or get an inside gig.

[Cyrus]

[ QUOTE ]
No.

[/ QUOTE ]You're saying there are no people out there earning money via shuffle tracking ?

The machines are not everywhere yet, Dr Who.

[SheetWise]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
No.

[/ QUOTE ]You're saying there are no people out there earning money via shuffle tracking ?


[/ QUOTE ]
Sure there are. But I wouldn't recommend it as a primary strategy or for a beginner as "the way to go". It's an interesting "fine point" to an already solid game -- when you find a game you can exploit.