Results of my first month counting

(Long post)

I've been going to casinos on average of 4x a week for the past 2 years and I would usually play roulette, baccarat, and a little craps. About two months ago i picked up blackjack and started practicing counting with a friend. My first Real day of counting, i started with $300 ($15 hands, 6D, 3 to 2) and ended up leaving with $2,000( eventually they raised the hands to $25) after 10 hours of play but this was mostly because i won two side bets that paid 190 to 1 on a $5 bet and 90 to 1 on another $5 bet. That was the perfect start. The next day i go in with $500 and cash in $200 for chips for $15 hands. I counted the count at 14 at one point, TC being 4-5, and i only upped my bets to $45 and won the next 9 out of 12 hands(also doubled/split 3 times and hit BJ twice). I put much of the $25 in my pocket so it didn't seem like i was up a whole lot at first glance. So at this point its looking something like this Day 1: + $1,700 Day 2: + $560 Day 3: + $160 Day 4: - $300 Day 5: - 300 Day 6: $580

Day 7: I decide to go to vegas, as I've never been there before. I take $3,000 with me( usually only play until i lose $300). This is where i was not discipline and went against many of the rules i set out for myself. I start off by playing at Mandalay bay, and after playing for about two hours i'm down $300. The next casino i go to is Luxor and i lose another $300 within the first 15 minutes. I would usually call it a day but i decided to chase my loses, and go from $25 to playing $75 hands. While playing $75 hands, the TC never went above 2 but if the TC was at one i would only increase the hands to $125. I went up winning back the $600 i lose and about $350 more. I then head to Cromwell to play $5 hands and brush up on my counting. After two hours there I'm up double on my $100. I then head to the bellagio and start playing $50 hands ( I usually never play anything over $25 min at my local casino) and out of the first five hands, the dealers hits BJ three times, i bust once, and push. At one point i counted the count at about 12 with a TC of 3 and i decide to start doing $100 bets and i lost the next 6 out of 8 hands and also doubled on two of those hands. the count is still at about the same and i buy in for more as im confident ill get it back as the count was high. I end up losing a total of $2,500 even when the count was high. At this point I'm a bit upset and disappointed that i could lose so often when the count was very high. I end up leaving Vegas the next day.

So now i'm back from vegas a feeling a little discourage, as i lost most of my winnings from the previous week. I dont play for another 3 days. After my vegas experience, i make new rules for myself, 1. Don't play Anything over $25 min, 2. Buy in with $300 and if i lose it all, just leave and if i triple it, then also leave even if i'm feeling lucky. 3. Don't chase loses.

Day 8 of gambling: $800 Day 9: $400 Day 10: $200 Day 11: $1500 ( hit a 290 to 1 side bet on $5) Day 12: - $300

Day 13: $400 Day 14 : - $200 Day 15: My friends and i make another trip to las vegas. I'm feeling more confident this time, as i feel like i have more experienced and read up on a few blogs and also read two books on counting and tweaked my system. Long story short, i end up losing $2,000. I was at ballys's and the count was the highest i've ever counted, at 17, with TC being 4-5. I lost the original $300 and bought in for another $500( doing $50-$150 hands with the last bet being $225) and lost that. so i do one more buy in for $500 and lose it all in the next 8 hands ( the count was not as high but was still high). I should have left after losing the first $500.

Day 16 of gambling: - 300 Day 17 of gambling $600 Day 18: $800 Day 19 : I hit a slot for a little over $1,200 after only putting $20 playing $3 max bet, I usually don't play slots but a friend was in town and we were just playing slots. Day 20: $200 Day 21 : $300

Things i learned during my first month of counting.

1. Don't chase loses
2. Prepare to have a descent bankroll
3. Set certain spreads ( i personally stick to only 1-4 max on $25)
4. If you're feeling bummed out or upset, go eat something or do anything but play.
5. Keep track of your daily wins and loses. It can be very easy to lose track.
6. Tip!
7. Keep practicing and tweaking your methods!

I personally don't think i will be doing large bets and spreads anytime soon. I seem to make the most money when i only stick to a certain amount( $300 buy in with $15 min). Also by setting a certain goal for the day and cut off. My goal is 3x but many times i leave before that. I only do spreads of up to $75 if i'm playing $15 min but most times it will only be triple unless the count is very high. About 4 of my friends and i are currently practicing playing as a team and will update you all in the coming months. If you have any suggestions or advice, please let me know!!