I keep records from all my gambling sessions. Sure, I'm a geek, but I can tell you which casino I've won the most money at, which shift, even which state and sometimes the dealer's name. That may seem crazy, but you should consider using some kind of note software to track gaming sessions. Aside from the practical aspects of actually knowing whether you are winning or losing at certain games, you may find that your win rate is extremely high at one property and extremely low or non-existent at another.
Because I always take notes, I know that I never won at the Reno Sundowner casino. The club is closed now (and after all I did for them!), but that's good for me I suppose. It's never a surprise when you play at one property and lose. Big deal, right? But I played blackjack there more than a dozen times. Those stats are way out of whack, especially since they dealt single deck, Northern Nevada rules, and would even go all the way through the deck, shuffle with cards on the layout, and continue dealing on occasion. It was a great game and I couldn't beat it.
One of those strange anomalies I suppose. For multi-blackjack-session properties, there are only a couple others where I'm not a winner. It happens, and my records help me choose where I play. No sense going back to a place where I'm making $1.25 an hour when there are clubs that I'm at 100x that, right? And, my fastidious records tell me a few other things, like the fact that I can't beat hockey, I can't beat the NFL (Al's No Fun League), and I probably shouldn't be playing razz poker. If you kept track of all your wins and losses, wouldn't it help you make better choices in the future?
In other news, Atlantic City revenues are down, and Pennsylvania revenues are up 15 percent. That's not a good sign for AC, but it's something that's unlikely to change, especially if more casinos are voted-in in other states. Ohio's new casinos are doing well, but the opening for the Cincinnati Horseshoe has been pushed back until 2013 - they are still taking applications.
Comments
Great article. I usually wait to get back to the room, but your right I forget have the info. and carrying notebook is a pain. Going to try the app for my phone because I have to carry that anyway. Thanks for the idea!
My Sundowner story, Sunday night, heading back to my room at the Silver Legacy, 11pm, my flight leaves Monday morning at 7:30am—stopped by the Sundowner for some 25c 9/6 Jacks or Better Video poker, max play 5 coins—went on a roll until 6:30, grabbed the comp breakfast offered to me on the go, rushed back into the SL-threw the clothes in the suitcase, won about $400 in those few hours, no royals, just a bunch of winners! Sorry to see it closed the following year—
Yeah, I like your story better than mine!