Blackjack Moderation

Cutter's Log - Stardate 2102.32.60
Current Song - Born on the Bayou (CCR)

Okay, so seeing this windfall come in such numbers as they are made me want to spend some of it on entertainment.

That form of entertainment last week was a trip to the casino in Clinton.

"So you went to see a concert?"

No.

I went through the gate.

Any cries of "It's the end of Cody's world" are premature. Don't sound the klaxons in your head.

As I mentioned in my previous entry, I came in last week with $100 and left with $200. So I won $100. That had been my first trip to a blackjack table in maybe a year. During that time I had been out of work, and trying to find more and more ways to conserve.

I went back there today with $60 and left with $100. + $140 overall.

I think this helped me. I made a few adjustments to my game and wound up in the black.

It took me five years and several trips, but I think I'm learning more about moderation and such.

You read that correctly - I have been making these once-every-few-months trips since I was 21. I first played at the Isle in Bettendorf, and over the years have been to Rhythm City in Davenport, Jumer's in Rock Island, both Wild Rose and the old Mississippi Belle in Clinton, both the boat and the land-based Diamond Jo in Dubuque, Grand Victoria in Elgin, Hollywood in Aurora, Empress in Joliet (before and after the big fire), Pair-A-Dice in East Peoria, Horseshoe in Hammond and Desert Diamond in Tuscon.

I'll only play slots to kill time, and only a fre dollars worth because I hate them. Only once have I ever played a non-blackjack table game, and that was Pai Gow Poker at Wild Rose (which I have since forgotten how to play, and also involves some sort of weird house commission). So it's always been the blackjack table.

My biggest overall win - mentioned last week - was $700 at the old Empress. This was a $10 table, and I wound up playing $25 chips at a time. Because of this hot streak, I think I wound up playing a total of $75 in side bets that went toward dealer tips.

The most I ever spent on a single hand was $95, and this was at Wild Rose shortly before tables closed at 2 a.m. Win and drive to the Isle in Bettendorf (where there's at least one table open all night); lose and drive home. I wound up going to Bettendorf that night.

Along the way there have been some wins and some losses, and with each trip I have learned certain tips to try to increase my chances of walking away with more than what I come in with.

I took too many chances when I was younger, and that led to playing more conservatively. I would often think to myself how a coach would make an adjustment during a time-out - drawing up things on a imaginary whiteboard. Playing conservatively meant always playing the minimum and never taking any chances, splits (except aces) or double downs (even at 11 against a 6).

You have to find that time when you want to stray away from "the chart" that advises players what to do in every possible situation. I don't have the mental capacity to count cards (or the audacity to do so). Taking such chances increases those of coming out more ahead. I feel I've done okay with the playmaking.

The biggest improvement that I have made is pot control and learning when to walk away. Last week, coming in with $100, I wanted to leave with at least $50. This was a decision that I would have never made back then. Over time while at the table, I increased my minimum to account for boredom and the waning of thinking skills. I play with $5 red chips all of the time. After a while, when I notice my single stack getting up there, I'll "color in" five reds for a single green. I'll put the single green aside and not play it, and continuing to play with the reds I have. This ensures that I don't walk away empty-handed because it would be foolish to play a $25 hand after a losing streak of a few $5's.

Today I came to Clinton with the mindset that I will walk away with no more than $100. That meant simply winning $40 and going home. I once got to $105, but kept on playing because I was bored. I got down to around $50 before getting back to the $100 mark. I think this mindset of determining a maximum helped me focus.

Last, but not least, I mentioned last week that I avoid "player's club cards." They track things. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. When pressured, my typical line is "Tell you what, If I get everything here (point to my stack) down to a purple (pointing to a $500 purple chip), I'll join. You want me to join, huh? Are we going to make that happen?"

That's about all I can give out right now.

There are many other secrets. I won't reveal them.