Aug. 15, 2010

 

I had a great visit to LV this week. I stayed at the Bellagio and it was definitely the royal treatment. I played poker at Caesars Palace and came in 5th in a daily tournament. Also, I shot craps and won a bit of money. I'm just learning the game so I didn't usually have more than 2 or 3 bets out. I tried playing the come bet successfully, after taking odds on the pass line wager, then took odds on the come bet. I also tried placing the 6 & 8 and that worked pretty well. I played some Blackjack, and noticed many tables paying 6:5 and even some single deck that only payed even money. If this trend keeps up, players will vote with their feet and just not play those casinos. Wake up Las Vegas.

 

 

Aug. 15, 2010

 

I just got an email from a gentleman which reads: I was just wondering what you thought of Jerry Patterson's Target 21 stuff So does it work you think? My response: Stay, I don't know exactly what Mr. Patterson is selling. I have a couple of copies of his book, and have read the info he gives. If you have the book, Blackjack A Winner's Handbook, read and re-read the information he gives about Target 21. I'll take a moment to give you my advice about Blackjack: 1 - Pick a favorable game. I just got back from Las Vegas. I found tables with 6 deck shoes and CSM's with 6:5 or even money on Blackjacks. This is absurd, and I'll never play in a place that tries to rip off the players like that. I found a little dive on Boulder highway (Longhorn Casino, near Sam's Town) that had the best rules I have seen since I lived in Reno years ago. The money I won spends just as well as the money I won on the strip. So, find a place with the best rules. 2 - Find a table with a minimum lower than your base bet. If the dealer gets on a roll, it's nice to drop down to $5 or whatever and ride it out. Better yet, take a bathroom break til the next shuffle. When I win, I like to press my bets up. When I lose, I just bet the minimum, or sometimes use a limited negative progression, like 1-1-1-2-4-1.... where I lose three one unit bets in a row, bet two units on the fourth hand, and if i lose this, go up to 4 units. If I lose this one, I drop back to the table min. and ride it out. I took a chance the losing streak would end on the fourth or fifth hand, and as you can see, I only lost an extra 4 units above what I would have lost if flat betting 1 unit. You will be pleasantly surprised how many times you win the fourth or fifth hand and when you do, you have only lost one unit for that series of losses. If you are uncomfortable with this, as some are opposed to increasing their bet until they win again, then simply ride it out. As for me, I have the balls to do it and I know it's only 4 units extra. Sometimes you have four units out and you get a natural and collect 10 units, or the perfect double down opportunity presents itself, and you win 8 units. This system has worked for me for years. 3- Use some sense. Blackjack is a cyclical game. The casino giveth and the casino taketh away. You have to recognize when the tide turns, assess how much profit you have made, and decide when to bail out. This could mean changing tables or casinos, or quitting that session and having lunch. The casino and that table will be there when you decide to resume play. Do your accounting, pocket some of your profits, and play with the leftovers. Leave the table with some of their cash. Isn't that what you are there for? The longer you play, the more of a chance you will lose your profits back. 4 - Put a limit on how much you are willing to lose. Don't dig into your pocket when that limit is reached. If you have hit that limit, face it, it's not your day. Go play craps or poker if you still want to play. I hope these tips help. If you want to know more about Blackjack, visit my website: www.averagejoeblackjack.com. There is information on card counting systems and betting progressions. I could use more hits, Take care,

Bill

 

 

July 25, 2010

I'm leaving for Vegas in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking forward to it as always. This trip I plan to do general gaming. Blackjack of course, poker, and craps. I'm still a beginner at craps, but its exciting with some pretty good odds. Staying at the Bellagio and taking my daughter for her 21st birthday.

 

 

November 20, 2009

 

This year I'm splurging and staying at Bellagio. Last year I stayed at Paris, and I really liked it. It is a 4 star hotel, with great food and comfortable rooms. Bellagio will be closer to where I play poker - Caesars. I'm not rich enough to play at Bellagio yet. I'll have to sell a few more ads on the website to play there. It's great to stay in a different place each time I go to Vegas. I can then make recommendations to my readers. I would recommend Paris. The decor was that of a Paris street with restaurants, shops, wine, pastries, and cobblestone streets. The Buffet comes highly recommended, with its selection of French food. I will probably go there to eat even though I'll be staying across the street this year.

 

When I return, I'll write about Bellagio.

Bill

 

 

January 17, 2008

I had a great time in Vegas. I stayed at the Palms and I loved it. It was a great room at a great price. What's more, it was the quietest room I have ever been in. The bed was very comfortable, the view amazing, and the bath was nicely furnished. The staff was helpful when I needed anything. Parking was convenient and access to the strip was convenient. I highly recommend the PALMS. I didn't play a lot of Blackjack this trip. I wanted to concentrate on my new passion, Texas Hold'em. I played in four tournaments and made two final tables. The nicest poker room I was in was at Caesars Palace. It was huge, and they ran a great tournament. Other tournaments I played in were at Binion's Horseshoe, Planet Hollywood, and Golden Nugget. They all were great facilities, with good service.

 

 

November 15, 2007

I'm going to Las Vegas the first week in December. I have taken on a new game which has required a lot of study and practice. Texas Hold'em has been my latest obsession. My plans are to play in as many daily tournaments as I can while there. I should be able to finance them by winning at Blackjack. The last time I was there I played in one poker tournament at the Golden Nugget and didn't do so well. I played a couple of Blackjack tournaments which went well - second place in each. I will be publishing a hold'em website in the spring also. It will be appropriately called averagejoeholdem.com. I'll talk to you again after the trip. I'll be staying at the Palm's this trip. I'll probably do a feature casino page on it when I return.