To celebrate the kids going back to school, I signed up for a high stakes tournament at the Venetian in a couple of weeks (8/72-29) and not only have I never played in a BJ Tournament - I don't even play BJ. I've been a die hard craps player my whole life and have only played BJ for low stakes to get off my feet on a few occasions. Since I haven't seen anything mentioned about this "BlackJack Bonanza" anywhere on this forum, I'm curious as to what you think I will see. Its a $150k Tournament (pays 6 places $75k-$5k and allows re-buys in Round 1 - that's all I know about it) and is supposed to be about 150 entries. Anyway, I'm now curious to know what I'll be facing - a bunch of experienced tournament players, just typical Basic Strategy BJ players or a hodgepodge of gamblers (like me) who the Venetian is trying to bribe into hanging out for the weekend? Also, since I don't have a host at the Venetian (it HAS to be hard to get any meaningful comps here based on my reservation experience for this event anyway), anyone have any idea as to even what the rules might be (or how I could find out - the jr. host I spoke to had no clue and wasn't too helpful in trying to forward me on to someone who would know). What kind of games do they usually run? I was just going to show up for this as an excuse to get out of town, but after reading through this forum, I'm motivated to try and make real effort now. Anyway, any help or insight would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, I realize I should have attempted a smaller tournament first to cut my teeth, but this opportunity is here, so...
Is it open tournament? If it is open you'll have some good players in it for sure, If it is VIP tournament you'll have around 15-25 tournament players I am guessing. If you want to cut your teeth on a mini tournament first come in one day early (26th) and try the Sunset Station tourney on Thursday nights. I have never played the Venetain tournament, but heard great things about it. To find out more call their tournament or marketing departments for more information, they should be able to help you out. Since you like dice here are some dice tournaments if you are interested: Harrah's 13-15 Stardust 20-22 Green Valley Ranch 22-24 Good Luck.
Another Question Thanks. Unfortunately I'm not able to come out early due to business meetings, but I am going to try and drive to Shreveport this weekend and at least get some play in. My other question is, why not just come out of the gates firing? Bet the max (or the 1/7 progression at least) to try and take a commanding lead then sit and wait. Sure, I realize I could lose the first 4 hands and get wiped out, BUT I could also win 2-3 of them, perhaps catch a BJ or even a cold dealer and really screw up everyone's plans. Seems to me the thing I should want to avoid the most is facing one of you guys in the last couple of hands if there is any way to avoid it! Just curious on what you think about aggressive play in the beginning.
Lots play it that way For a new BJ player that is unsure it might not be a bad play. It is always better to bet more when your not sure and like you said you might just get lucky. I noticed you mentioned Shreveport, you may want to checkout some of the plays from the weekly Hollywood BJ tourney in Shreveport under the strategies section on this site. They may help you to understand BJ tournament play strategy.
enjoy Spectris, Different strokes, for different blackjack folks… Firing up from the get go? Even progression of three bets (1/7, 1/3, the rest) is too aggressive for most experienced players. For you -it may be just what the doctor ordered. Venetian tournament is great; you may come back with a handsome trophy and some cash to boot. Will you? Who knows what’s in the cards. Tournament strategy can get very complicated, and newbies can’t usually imagine what’s involved. Who cares, just enjoy yourself. Couple more tournaments and you may be hooked, though. --You were warned. One more caution, people in this casino are infamous for being paranoid about “professional tournament players”. There are many true high-stakes gamblers who are not allowed to participate in their tournaments because they got labeled as “pros”- which would be laughable if it was not unjust and pitiful. S. Yama
It is really sad S. Yama is right! I have been on this soapbox for years about this "Pro" BULLSHIT! I haven't ever been barred from any casino, but I know several that have and I am fighting for them because they’re some of the best players and good people around. Several of them are members on this site and other then the New Frontier and LV Hilton tournaments I never get to see or play against them anymore. That is a shame because I love the competition with them. It comes down to some little chicken shit that screwed up or was out played by someone so they go crying to their host or a manager that a "Pro tournament player" was in the tournament in it wasn't fair. Or the popular they’re a cheater and that is how they beat me. So what happens now, good players are barred from future play and the prize pool drops down for the rest of us. Then with attendance down the tournaments start getting canceled. Now back to the little chicken shit does he win after that, NO because he is still a DUNB-ASS that doesn't know what he is doing. But his whining has cost all of us due to his bitterness. Don't get me wrong if someone is CHEATING I think they need to get barred. But know what you’re talking about before just calling someone a cheater. It is every player’s responsibility to watch their hands and the entire game and report mistakes (over payment or misread hand) and or cheating when and as they happen. As far as "Pro Blackjack Tournament Players" don't even get me started, NO ONE can win in blackjack if you don't get the cards. I agree poker has pros, but they can buff and play hours at a time were they can use their skill. Blackjack tournament you play 40 hands at the most now days and anyone can and does win these tournaments. Only a few tournaments offer surrender and you don't hear many players in a blackjack tournament referred to as "DEAD MONEY!"
stardust so, somewhere my question to you got lost. so i'll repeat it under this. How and whyfor did and does the stardust determine which, what players it is banninng from playing in their tournaments?
The Stardust generally prohibits players that have been barred from the live tables from participating in their tournaments. Many counters have been barred, but I would guess that most of their unwelcome list is actually comprised of players that have just been lucky. Basically, they're very bottom-line oriented. If you're not losing substantial amounts of money, you don't stay welcome for long. That's an over-simplification, but it's not far wrong. Breakeven players aren't welcomed there.
Stardust and others Kenneth: I think that you got it right. I would add that three things are important criteria determining whether you get invited to so-called "invitational" tournaments, by the Stardust and others. 1) you cannot be a known card counter or be in the Griffin book; 2) you cannot have a life time winning record at the casino holding the tournament regardless of how you won and sometimes even if you win at games other then BJ such as video poker; 3) you need to demonstrate that you have money available to gamble and that in fact you will give them some action. A serious line of credit can sometimes help. Bottom line though is that for now Nevada's NRS 651.070 prohibits discrimination " on the ground of race, color, religion, national origin or physical or visual hadicap". So, everybody else can be denied "services" and/or asked to leave a Nevada establishment. (See Blackjack and the Law by I. Nelson Rose and Robert A. Loeb pages 18, 19, 20 etc.) Very arbitrary, unfair and the potential for abuse in the exclusion of certain players from tournaments is clear. Don't get me going on this subject!
