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#1
KungFuBac / BUSTED BUYIN post 64session W streak
November 17, 2024, 10:16:55 PM
BUSTED BUYIN
I finally busted a buy in that had produced a 64-session win streak across approximately 3.5weeks. Immediately after the streak ended I busted another buy in a couple days later(It had earned approx. 40% of itself prior to bust). I have now started a new buy in /"hopefully" a new streak(though it hasn't earned 1.0buyin yet).

In this Loooonnnnngggg post I will touch briefly on several topics from the aforementioned three-week winning trek. So, consider it a multi session 3 week trip report:
     The 64-W streak.
     The phenomenon of streaks (W and L).
     FREEPLAY/ Winning Drawings
    Old baccarat players (Octogenarians).
     HORSERACING
     Guns/gunshows

The 64-Win streak.

This was certainly longer than most though not necessarily "hugely" in terms of overall units won.
Unfortunately, the wins were not huge (per session). This wasn't by design, its just the way it played out as I always press to my win and then do a stutter step. I then continue with a positive progression (less % than what I had to press to reach the W, or an exponential % progression) until it dies.

I haven't dissected all of the streak but I suspect what happened was that I had numerous pressed-up wagers that just cleared the bar (where I collected all of my $ plus profits), then did a stutter step and lost. This can have a huge impact on my net vs a similar streak where I lose "just before" and still have most of my outlay still in the bet.

In other words sometimes I get a lot of small quick wins when I have not drawn down (or very little) and then receive 3,4,5 or so consecutive Wiar(in-a-row), FIRST, vs drawing down at early stages of a buyin. As obviously then my highly pressed-up wagers just slightly produces a NET+ because most of it was needed to retrieve the early losing bets,etc.

Session =A session ends when I earn or lose >=2.5 base units after any and all pressed-up wagers have been decisioned/I depart that shoe or end the session. Then I apply my MM to whatever I have won(>=2.5 base units). If I lose (>=2.5 base units), then no MM to apply. I simply buyin the next session with the residual buyin remaining. If I lose buyin completely then that session(&shoe) has obviously ended/ I end with a busted buyin. Hopefully, I have earned more than said buyin PRIOR to the busted buyin.
*A session could be <=1.0 shoes and up to maybe 3-4 shoes. However, most seem to go across 1 or 1-2 shoes for a conclusion to be reached.
As most of you know I live /die with a pos progression so I generally need to see at least a 3iar to 4iar win on at least one single wager to really start compounding (so that I neutralize the most frequent loss at 1.0base units. In the streak above my longest IAR win streak on any one wager was 6iar(I was a little surprised at this and didn't realize it until reviewing my data afterwards).

     **Not included in the above win streak were three sessions (-.90base units, +1.8BU, +2.1BU) because they were not >=2.5base units. I just bought in again at next session with 99.1%buyin,1.0buyin, 1.0buyin, respectively),  ..etc, and for record keeping neither a W or L.

     ***Surprisingly no huge wins as only one single win greater than 1.0buyin(1.24buyins). My most common(mode) win was ~~ 8units, followed by 4units as the second most. I don't necessarily target a specific win but that's just the way this win streak unfolded.

     ****I had two really rough sessions where I drew down early and really had to battle my way back across >one shoe(s) for a win. Otherwise, most wins seemed to come early and easy(just not big).

     *****On the busted buyin session that ended the streak I had battled back to 86% of original buyin but never could fully recover/busted a couple shoes later. At that stage I only had $110 remaining and since it was less than my base unit I called it(& just accepted the beat down). I optimistically started another buyin at a different shoe and table. Im always optimistic and try to avoid intrusively negative thoughts and thought I would start another(This one ended with only a 40% W of buyin prior to busting).

The phenomenon of streaks (W and L).
     I continue to be perplexed about W streaks and always try to duplicate whatever I'm doing and try not to dwell (or talk) speak much about them while they are happening. I'm not superstitious really but I guess my thoughts are not to "jinx" them by thinking or boasting about them while they are presenting.

FREEPLAY/ Winning Drawings


     During the win streak I tried to play all free play available for that day or week. My thinking is that win streaks at the tables (just like in life) seem  to present in clumps. I don't recall specific Free play outcomes, but I didn't win any significant amounts. However, one of my casinos gave me an extra $100 in Promo play(I don't know why as I just noticed it showed on my card/ I don't recall ever receiving this Promo$ in the past. Most of my casinos don't give free play or promo play in table chips so one has to play them on ETG games or Slots. I always play mine on ETG games as most of my casinos have ETG like roulette or now it seems many are offering the ETG combo games where one can play multiple games at one station of 3-6 player terminals (Usually the combo ETGs offer roulette, sicbo, craps, bac, or some blackjack type game,...etc).
 
A couple of my casinos only allow FP or Promo$ to be played on slots. I seldom win on the slots (sometimes not one $1 profit) as they require one to play the FP through >=one time prior to cashing out. Even when I play it through exactly one time, I still lose it all, or most it seems.
Two days before the above win streak ended I noticed that I had $100 free play and a total $125 promo$ and thought (well I'm on  a W streak so this is a good time to play it all). I was required to play it on slots and did not get one win after running it all through. Looking back maybe this was an omen that the "Trend Must End".

Of course, my perception is they know you just loaded FP on the slot and the RNG purposefully wipes you out. Probably just a coincidence, nevertheless, I do not like slots for any reason/only play when required for free play.
Winning Drawings

     During the above 3-week+ winning streak I also won drawings of $50, $200, and $500. Different casinos and different days. I didn't even know they were doing the drawings. Most of my casinos seem to have some type of drawings or promo going on during slow times and days(early in day and early in week,...etc.). Most drawings seem to be won by slot players as they receive significantly more entries per dollar in vs table games players. Plus if a table-game player doesn't color up and leave the table their player ratings (& any entries) are not in the system(So several hours of play has not yet been rated).
     On the $500 drawing myself and another player I travel with some had just colored up at the table and had gone to the restroom. He entered the restroom as I was exiting and said, "I think I just heard your name called for a drawing". I thought he was just messing with me as we had discussed drawings a month ago and how we seldom see table players get drawn,etc.  LOL. Even though I still thought he was teasing I went ahead /walked over to the players club and collected $500USD, that was fun.

Old baccarat players (Octogenarians)

     I've mentioned before that I play with 12 other players and often travel together during the day and or cross paths with each other several times per week. Our 12-member "kinda" private club often helps each other out by playing others free play when they can't make it to a casino before the expiration of free play or promo play,..etc. We often give others our free rooms if they don't have a free room at particular casino. So a couple days a week one player may hand off several cards to another and the receiving player will play every ones freeplay/promo$. Many casinos have a use it or lose it policy and freeplay doesn't carry over past that week. Some allow the promo$ to carry over.
We have a private host that works only for our group that books us trips/rooms when playing several hours away from our main circuit if for some reason we don't have any room offers.
Our groups age ranges from about 60---89, with four members above 80. Most are full-time or semi, or have been full-time professional players with several being former full-time poker circuit players in their younger years. Most have a main game(like poker or BJ/ then a side game like Baccarat or roulette,...etc. One of these octogenarians plays roulette full time.

     The younger guys in the group(like me) often laugh at these "old dudes" because of their idiosyncrasies and habitual ways of doing things, incessantly talking about their latest medical report, the weather, and  occasionally demanding requests of others. Of course, we really like them and enjoy their expertise (in gaming as well as in life), and also realize we will some day be an "old dude" if we are fortunate. 

          So, back to my story.
I had been sick and home for three days and didn't really feel like playing long table sessions. I decided to go play all my free play at several casinos and also agreed to take others player cards and do their FP too. Most of the other players are really nice and often play my cards for me as I prefer to spend my time at the table and not traveling to another cas just so I can play my free play.

So, this 84ish guy gives me the envelope with his /several other players cards. Most of us just tell the others to play "this or that" on a certain ETG game (often roulette or similar) and most of us typically play the whole FP amount on one wager and whatever it wins (or loses) we simply wrap the ticket w a rubberband around their card and put it back in the envelope for the next time we see them or hand off the envelope.

However, this time the Mr84ish instructs me to find a certain slot game at this one particular cas(He doesn't know the name of it but "thinks" it has Ox Stampeding across gold coins on the front of the machine). Then texts  me while Im driving that it could instead be  buffalo or maybe bulls on the front. He tells me where it  is located in the casino(he was correct on this part), but it seemed like many machines had something stampeding and gold coins falling or being shot out of a canon  or exploding. I played the other players cards on ETGcraps-roulette combo game.  I then found his machine  and play his $100 through and actually won $140. I text him the results as Im departing that casino/driving to the next one. Im thinking OK, I'm making good time so far but have several other casinos on my trek.

     But no so fast KungFuBac.

Mr 84ish then texts me as Im driving around the outskirts of a somewhat large city. He asks "Hey buddy can you do me a favor and save me a drive". I want you to go downtown to XYZ horse race track and place two bets for me(horse #, in this race, at this track). He gives me two picks and asks me to place $70 on each race(From his $140 FP win). He spends a lot of time researching sports bets as well as certain horse race tracks and has a really good strike rate. So when he has some picks we often pay attention. Personally , I do not have much expertise in either.
 
I agree even though it is about 45mins out of my way and in the middle of a city that I haven't been downtown in about 15years. My google maps can't find the horse track and it and keeps directing to the loading docks of several massive expos center pavilion-sized buildings. Im looking for a large horse track with fans in the stands. Instead, he wanted me to go to a nearby OTB(off track betting) simulcast building. I finally saw a forklift operator and ask him which building. Its about 400yards away (by foot) , otherwise, requires about a ½ mile radius trek around several city blocks to reach the entrance side of the building. Plus most of the front parking lots appeared full so I assumed there may be a college basketball game going on or some other event in one of the buildings(& I may not find parking or have to pay parking for about 10mins,...etc).  I decided to just park and walk through an alley to the OTB horse simulcast facility.
I do so and enter a huge gymnasium type building with about 15 massive screens, a couple hundred individual  tv monitors kiosk desks, smoke-field, and dark. It seemed like most of the patrons were smoking and or drinking buckets of beer, or both. But most were cheering and seemed to be having a great time. I finally found the tracks he indicated and lucky for me the races were about 10mins from post time and the races were at different tacks but near the same start time. I didn't even buy a program as I had no desire to hang out here any longer than required. I decided to match his picks and also entered an additional $100 ticket on each for myself.
Im thinking good I can get this over with and be back on the road in 10-15mins.

Not so fast KungFuBac

     The first pick was game but  finishes 2nd and was off the pace about three links. So close but no cigar and Mr84ish is -$70 and Im -100 thus far.
His second selection goes off at or near 3/1, and appears to get the Win but it's a photo finish. Great, so now I have to wait an additional 5-7mins for the photofinish. It is determined our pick has indeed won. Then I get to stand in line for another  5mins as everyone  with winning tickets are in line trying to get paid. I won $290+ on this pick thx to mr84ish.

I start the (400yard) walk back to my car and decided not to text Mr.84ish the results yet as Im sure he was watching from his recliner at home. Plus I was thinking of the quickest way to get back on the turnpike as google maps could not find this place.
Not so fast KungFuBac.
When I return to my car I realized mr84ish had texted me(but to the phone I keep in my car) and not the one on me.

It starts off with "Hey Buddy" (That is always a clue,lol), and he goes on "If you win the first race don't place the bet on the second pick". Of course too late and a moot point at this stage. He then continues with another text: "Great win on the ponies I hope you got some of that. I need you to do me a huge favor: There is a gun show going on in the stadium next to the OTB simulcast—its just a block away. I would sure appreciate if you could take a couple mins and run in there and pick up a Smithfield ____, 9mm magazine,...etc and the booth is in the far back corner—I've bought gun parts/ammo from this vendor,...etc. He is a good guy and tell him its for me,...etc..

Im thinking WTH. Of course this "gunshow" is about 500yards from my car/ about 100yards from where I just departed. I realize this is why the parking lot was full of cars. I agree/ decide to just jog back as I have on casual slacks/loafers I hadn't been to the gym in four days/ the day was nice. So I head back and enter the building($15 cover charge),lol, and OMG  there must have been at least 1000-1500 booths selling gunsgunsguns , gun ammo, gun parts,all things guns...etc. I finally walk about 300yards to the back corner and realize the vendor has already closed and many of the other vendors were also loading up supplies(I don't know if this was last day of show or just the  end of the day) as apparently this gun show had been going on for 2-3 days. 

So no gun part for mr84ish.

I jog back to my car and was almost afraid to check my texts(Mr84ish probably sent his Walmart grocery list). Hey buddy can you run by Walmart,...etc,LOL.

He is actually one of the nicest guys you will meet. Always trying to buy you dinner, often buys all the players at the Bac table a beverage when he leaves,...etc.

Anyway, I finish the day going to the other cas and playing everyones free play. My free play didn't do anything signif at the remaining cas. However, one of the others won $200 on a $100fp @roulette.
 I actually played two short table sessions and won 3+ and 4+ units later that day as they came quickly.


My W streak ended a couple days later and a new one started(&still going).


Thx for reading.




#2
KungFuBac / New Page Banner/Colors
November 17, 2024, 10:02:53 PM
Thx Vic--the new color scheme and banner looks great. Maybe it has been this way for awhile and I hadn't noticed.


Cheers, kfb
#4
EZ Baccarat co-creator attributes success to Indian tribes' embrace of game.

     In my opinion there is indeed a little merit to the above theory. However, several other factors may have also contributed:
The fact EZ Bac could be dealt faster(Higher casino profits), 5% commish didn't have to be counted out every  single  hand, multiple players could more easily be stacked (stand) behind the seated players, multiple wagering spots, smart shoes didn't require as much effort/training for dealers,...etc.

See link below.




https://cdcgaming.com/ez-baccarat-co-creator-attributes-success-to-tribes-embrace-of-game/
#5
Why Baccarat Is Game Of Choice For Wealthy Whales, So Volatile??


WhyWhalesPreferBaccarat
#6
Karas certainly lived an eventful life. Allegedly once turned $10K into $40 Mil+ in approximately 3+ years, and then allegedly lost most of it. During this run he was playing mostly Poker with a little Razz and Bac. He was also an expert Pool player.

I travel to casinos and play Bac with an octogenarian professional Poker player that played with Karas and some of the other greats too. He has some interesting stories about Karas et al old timers. He said Karas wasn't as fond of Baccarat as he was for Poker, Razz, or Pool.

Archie Karas (Anargyros Karabourniotis) 1950--2024 RIP

 
Archie Karas RIP 1950-2024

#9
KungFuBac / Stadium Baccarat
October 06, 2024, 02:07:41 AM
The following casinos in Vegas offer Stadium games(*See reference below). Many of the following include Baccarat within their Stadium setups.

Q1: Does any forum member play Stadium Baccarat at any NonVegas casinos?
     If so where/what is the max bet allowed?

Q2: Has any forum member played Stad Bac at any of the following Vegas Casinos?


Thx in advance.



_______________________________________________________________________

Casinos with stadium games(*Per gaming writer Kristina Mehaffey via vegas advantage).


Aria
Bellagio
Binion's
Boulder Station
Caesars Palace
Circa
Durango
El Cortez
Excalibur
Gold Coast
Linq
M Resort
Mandalay Bay
MGM Grand
New York-New York
Orleans
Palace Station
Palms
Paris
Planet Hollywood
Plaza
Rio
The Strat
Tuscany
Treasure Island
Venetian
Westgate



Continued Success,
#10
KungFuBac / Horrible session across 4+ shoes
September 28, 2024, 04:52:10 PM
I had a day this week where I only played one looonnnnggg session across 4+shoes(Approx 6hrs).

Typically I call it a session when all of my wagers have been decisioned(I always do a pos progression). Generally all wagers are decisioned in the same or very next shoe and its called a  session(Net - or +). Though, I may sometimes carry a pressed up wager into the next shoe or session or day. I never kill a pressed up wager as it continues until it dies.

Generally I play 7-9 hours per day. However, on this day I was exhausted after about 6hours. I was talking with a bac mentor that day re: these type of sessions and how they sometimes seem to occur without predictability or a precursor. I guess most of us have experienced such sessions.

Ok, on with the horrible shoe(s) story.

This was one of those sessions I simply could not get in sync with the results(several shoes and several different biases). It did not matter as I zigged when it zagged.

W33 L41 and that was after a late hit-rate surge in the last shoe.

At one point my record was W24 L37. I was down approx (-2600) at this stage. I generally do a pos progression/optimally go after >=four presses(5 hits 4 compounds). Seldom do I go for consecutive-event wins IAR(In a row), such as ppppp or bbbbb or pbpbp,..etc. I prefer to grab a win or two from the meat of patterns, set it aside/reenter into another meat-part of a pattern,...etc. In these shoe(s) I couldnt seem to find 3iar or I would lose all of my highest wagers so the stage (@ w24 L37) was even worse than indicated.

Late in this last shoe I knew it was a sign for me to depart the casino:

     P had recently been on a significiant streak such as pp b ppp b pppp b pppp and had won 13/16 or so outcomes in this recent bias. I had grabbed several Ws from the P bias. After that last (pppp) I had noted that nothing in the whole entire shoe had gone past 4iar(No opps, P, or B, or any other pattern). So my intention was to go with what had happened thus far and wager $775 for B after the PPPP. However, I erroneously put my wager on P for $755 and $20 on the Fortune7. Of course I immediately realized (too late as cards were coming out). I immediately thought "oh sheet". Lucky for me P won again with a 3c7. I was @ net+$850 at that stage (only the second time I was ahead for the whole day).

It was about 5pm and though I had planned on playing until approx 8pm. I had to simply acknowledge it wasn't a favorable day(especially after the last error). Some days we win when our bet selection doesn't warrant it. Ill gladly take it.


Continued Success,


#11
Im beginning to think some of his claims are not entirely accurate.
I think his greatest skillset is in marketing.


https://www.tiktok.com/@unrealgambling/video/7302468896060230955
#12
The following is a quote from the article in the link at the bottom.

"...the scheme involved Benward somehow convincing casino crews that he placed bets on winning numbers after the numbers had already come in.

One thing that interests me is the borderline between cheaters and advantage players. One breaks the rules, the other looks for any possible edge without going over the line into straight cheating.

Benward was a cheater. He did a verbal equivalent of past posting. ..."



     I've "very very seldom" observed a Bac player cheating. The few times I've witnessed this is by the cheater moving their official bet back toward them and into the winning spot. Typically, as the dealer started paying out to the opposite end of the table. 



https://www.techopedia.com/gambling/blog/winners-losers-las-vegas-black-book
#13
KungFuBac / 5Day4NightBacTrek
September 03, 2024, 04:54:38 PM
Good morning to all.
I just returned from an overnight multi-day trip during the Labor-Day holiday weekend.
Brief highlights/lowlights below.

My town typically has a lot of festivities during this holiday. So to side step an extra 100,000 folks drinking/partying in my town I decided to take a 2.5 hour trek to a casino market that I typically only play during the week(daytime). Plus my wife was off work /wanted to travel somewhere.

I live in a casino market with casinos 5mins away and over 100 within a 3hour radius so rarely travel overnight with most play M-F, with occasional sat or sun early afternoon quick sessions.

Even when I play overnight in this market I general don't stay in any of their casino hotels. Mainly because I don't want to be obligated to any one cas just because they gave me free room/food. I typically just rent a hotel equi distance to all four (15mins or so to any of them). So that I can play as long or little at whichever I prefer/not be restricted. Plus I like to get out of the casino and give my brain a little rest from all the aural stimulation. Plus I meet some of the local players and generally play more at the casino we agree upon by consensus.

I also like the option should I want to eat a certain type of food. IMO most casino food is unhealthy (fast food, buffets,...etc), and during the week/ typical day-only trips I pack my ususal(Turkey sticks, cheese sticks,veggies, nuts, H2o). Often just snacking as I drive to different casinos. Time is money.   

I use an outside host for most all overnight casino trips. Same for this trip/ had him go ahead and book a comped room for the first night at the largest of the four casinos(Pottawatomie tribe-OKC,OK). Plus I have several Bac comrades that play here so joined them for several sessions.
Plus they have a really nice Brazil Steak House that my wife likes(& my host not only added the comped steak house but also added a $249 two hour spa pkg for my wife). The steak house is great food but I typically don't eat there as its simply too much food. Plus when playing during the day I prefer to not take time off from gaming to set in a restaurant for an hour,..etc.


The four casinos I play Bac in this market are small indian casinos with 1k and 2k Tmax(Most 1k) and though some may have three Bac tables typically only have one or two open in the morning(& some days never open all of them or only at night).

I played approximately six to seven shoes per day(some only partial)

Highlights: Longest of the common streaks was a Banker 9iar(ended shoe). 10iar P streak. 8iar 2x2(BBPP), 8 iar opps(BPB,...etc). 9iar 1x2(BppB..etc).

A few of our forum members that I play with on a regular basis know that I typically bet an aggressive pos progression and more likely to parlay+ and full press the initial hits into any identifiable streak pattern. Then set it aside , and reenter into a different streak later on.

However I treated the Banker 9iar above a little different once I was ahead greater than my most recent highest wager. It was near the end of the shoe and somewhere near the 4th or 5th B I was at table max as I think I entered on the 2nd B. So I went above Tmax (1800) as I capped the guy next to me for that extra 800 onto his 200. Then everyone (except two of us) colored up or scattered to another table.

I couldnt believe they would all leave a streak. Maybe they departed because it was near the end of the shoe.??? They were afraid of winning too much????? Who knows.

So I then had to regress back to the Tmax of 1k as they don't allow one to wager in a vacant  (One must cap another players bet on the same spot /have that player OK it). After regressing back to 1K I then started doing a -1% exponential regression til the shoe ended after the 9th B. I still did well but immediately was thinking: "I wish I was at Bellagios in Vegas or Beau Rivage in Biloxi,MS.

Oh well still a decent ROI from the shoe. Just last week had another good run and had to regress back instead of compounding upward at a similar low Tmax Cas. One never knows as I have also been on runs where the low Tmax actually kept me from pressing higher and locked in a nice ROI. This is more often the case(at least for me) as that hunt for  "one extra" hit can sometimes be costly.

The other player that stayed until the end was a 25ish Asian lady that I have played with in the Midwest on many occasions/at various other casinos. She typically wagers something like 100-200-100. However, I noted she went 100-200-400-400-600-1K to the end. She told me later she had won about 2k on earlier shoe.
She looks about 15yo and it was funny on the 9iar B run. She would put her wager on B and then ask me in her ESL accent: "Do you think B again"? I would say yes. She had a strong Asian accent and her English was sometimes not clear.
     She said afterwards: You have the holy grail(Or maybe she said you are the holy grail), as Im
     not 100% sure after translating,  :) . Ok I made up the last sentence.

Lowlights: Busted one 4K buyin on the trip. It was several days old and had produced some good profits. I seldom ever lose a whole buyin in any one shoe as I have some cut offs that after a certain number of failed guesses I either bet into a different pattern or just stop and assess. Meaning I don't chase losses on one pattern Im guessing wrong. So this busted buyin was across several shoes as I would almost get buyin built back to even and draw down again,...etc. My hit rate was above-average on the shoe that I busted on. However, I seemed to fail on getting that 3rd press to go four or the four iar press would fail on the 5th attempt.


I will edit and maybe add other thoughts later today or on weekend. Im tired after 5-day trip plus my wife gave me a long list of "stuff u need to do" today.




Continued Success To All,
#14
I like Red Rock. This is an interesting marketing approach. Though it doesn't appeal to me I do wish them well.

https://www.casino.com/news/las-vegas/red-rock-resorts-is-all-set-to-enter-the-tavern-gaming-business/
#15
KungFuBac / 14BiggestCasinoHeists and Robberies
August 30, 2024, 03:02:15 PM
#16
USA is currently doing a "Vote for your top casino players club".
This contest is active until 8/26. After that just state your favorite players club and why.
Thx in advance.

The usa today voting link is below. You may need to refresh the link as the link below is after I voted today. We are allowed one vote per day I believe.
I am being bombarded with emails from many of the Players Clubs asking for my vote(Especially CET), as CET sends me 2-3 emails per day. So far I have voted for Pearls Rewards(Scarlet Pearl Cas) and MGM the same number of times.

https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-players-club-2024/
#17
This is good news for the "show-me-state" and bordering states that havn't yet passed legislation to allow sports betting.
I suspect bordering states are rapidly pursuing this as well(They don't want to lose gambling $s) to online/other states SB betting portals.

I've noticed several casinos in nearby (Ks, Ok, Ar) have recently added or remodeled sections of their casino pubs to accommodate the expected passage of said legislation.

SportsBetting in Mizzou



Continued Success,
#18
KungFuBac / ?Should Baccarat Be An Olympic Sport?
August 10, 2024, 03:52:22 PM
?Should Baccarat Be An Olympic Sport?

     I will make a proposal to the IOC(International Olympic Committee).

For a variety of reasons I have not watched the paris olympics. Partly due to the (6 hrs) time difference. Partly due to not understanding some of the "sports".

However, I have watched some youtube et al channels replays for some of the highlights.
Cole Hocker winning the 1500M was impressive. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was impressive and she seems like a class act. Femke Bol has been impressive(Her slogan could be: "If your not Dutch your not much"). The Cuban wrestler (M. Lopez) winning 5 consec olympic Gold medals /then retiring by leaving his shoes on the mat was great. I think he is 41 or so. Impressive for an old guy.

As I skimmed through the channels trying to find certain highlights from the previous days results I ran across some sports being shown I've never seen(or heard of until now).


Womens Breaking ??
I don't know what this is. Not sure on how one would qualify. Im guessing not all countries offer this sport.

Boulder and Lead??
I don't know what this is. I didn't see this sport but saw the event name and pondered what this entails. Maybe players seeing who can heave a rock-boulder or ball of lead the farthest??

Syncronized Drowning??
Im not 100% sure on the objective here. I scanned through the channels and paused a second at this event being shown. I saw two feet sticking up out of the water.(All one could see were toes, feet, ankles, and calves). Im guessing the athlete was upside down. It appeared the toes and feet were moving to music. My highschool and college didn't offer this sport.

Several other "sports" that I didn't see. However, based on the name alone Im not sure how a score was determined and how we would decide the winner or loser.


?Should Baccarat Be An Olympic Sport?
     So obviously my proposal for Bac to be offered as an olympic sport is not too far fetched.
My initial thoughts would be to do it "Midi" style. This way it could be shown like the hours of WSOP on TV is now. The cameras could show us bending the edge of the card corner. The cameras could show our chip totals/ maybe first card for each side,...etc. Maybe show the players anticipation awaiting our 3rd card draw. They could show each players height and weight and favorite food,...etc. Im just brain storming at this point.

My only concern is that if the IOC does indeed accept my proposal for Bac. Then, this would leave it open for other sports such as Spelling Bees.
I think ESPN already shows this sport on all their sports channels. I could just see some 5th grade girl from India making it to the finals against me/ talking smack. I would demand the IOC make her first word: Bakaratte.



Continued Success,




#19
It looks like AC Brick/Mortar cas win in June 2024 was up 1 percent compared with June 2023.

??Could AC be making a comeback??? LOL.

Unfortunately for most of AC they are simply doing the TunicaTwoStep. Both gambling locations have an uphill battle IMO.

Re: AC, too much competition from the NY et al east coast casinos. Historically poor management/ not protecting market share.

Re: Tunica, similar problems with competition from Indian casinos in Oklahoma and recent legislation permitting cas in nearby Arkansas.

Just my opinions and I wish them well as I dislike seeing any business go under. Even when it is partially self induced.
_____________________________________________________________
AC June, 2024

Table and slot win:

Bally's up 9 pct compared to 6/23
Borgata up 6.2 pct compared to 6/23
Caesars down 11.1 pct compared to 6/23
GN up 5.9 pct compared to 6/23
Hard Rock up 11.8 pct compared to 6/23
Harrah's down 15.5 pct compared to 6/23
Ocean down 4 pct compared to 6/23
Resorts down 2 pct compared to 6/23
Trop down 4 pct compared to 6/23

Ranked in order of table/slot revenue, June 2024, millions: Borg (64.3), HR (48.4), Ocean (33.5), Trop (20.2), Caesars (19), Harrah's (17.7), Resorts (14.9), Bally's (13.5), GN (12.5)

Internet gaming revenue: 6/24 (186.8 mill), 6/23 (149.3 mill)
NJ sports betting revenue: 6/24 (60.1 mill), 6/23 (66.3 mill)




Continued Success To All,
#21
Considering potential for Advantage Play and Edgewise, which is better and why?

Baccarat (P or B), Craps Line Bets(Pass or don't), BlackJack BasicStrategy?

 
Obviously all low house edge/ SD is comparable.

re: Baccarat, with a H.E. just over 1%.
Though according to many book authors supposedly card counting/ sequence counting, et al approaches,...etc doesn't improve ones probability of success.

re: Blackjack--I probably haven't played a hand since my freshman year in college (Single deck @ $1),  so no opinion/ no expertise. Though allegedly some players can get an edge with Basic Strategy w optimal play. However, casinos frequently sell little laminated cards in their gift shops with  Basic Strategy. Therefore, I am hesitant to think that approach is a concern for the casino.

re: Craps Line Bets(P or D). I've played line bets and agree they are low H.E. and low SD. However, I don't know all the other wagers. Though, I do know they are significantly higher H.E. vs Line Bets.



Q: Which is better and why?




Thx in advance,
#22
Note in the following link below:

Pg. 3 NOTE the significant drop in Hold% for Bac starting in 2004.???? Any thoughts as to why the hold % dropped from approx 18%--21% from 1992--2003, then a huge drop to mostly 11-12% from 2004--2023.
* My thinking was that maybe the increase in EZ Bac tables vs the old-school "Big Table". I don't know as just thinking out loud. There has to be some major change in the game for that to occur. Maybe just variance??

Any thoughts or theories??


NevadaTablesHold%


Thanks/credit to the UNLV Center For Gaming Research
#23
Where to Play Baccarat in Las Vegas for 2024

Baccarat is the most popular table game according to a 2024 Las Vegas Table Games Survey in terms of the number of installations.

Best Las Vegas baccarat casinos
Baccarat is dealt at 25 Las Vegas Strip casinos. It is also available at four downtown casinos and 15 off-strip and locals ones. The low limit games tend to be in the locals market. Downtown and Las Vegas Strip casinos often have higher minimum bets for it.

Minimum bets on the Las Vegas Strip
On the Las Vegas Strip, minimums range from $15 to $100. The following casinos deal baccarat on the Strip.

Aria
Bellagio
Caesars Palace
Cosmopolitan
Cromwell
Encore
Flamingo
Fontainebleau
Harrah's
Horseshoe
Luxor
Mandalay Bay
MGM Grand
Mirage
Palazzo
Paris
Park MGM
Planet Hollywood
Resorts World
Sahara
The Strat
Treasure Island
Venetian
Wynn

Minimum bets for downtown Las Vegas baccarat
The minimums in downtown Las Vegas range from $10 to $100. It can be found at four casinos downtown.

Circa
El Cortez
Golden Nugget
The D

Minimum bets at off-strip and locals casinos
Live baccarat minimums also range from $10 to $100 at locals and off-strip casinos.

Boulder Station
Durango
Gold Coast
Green Valley Ranch
M Resort
Mohegan
Orleans
Palace Station
Palms
Rampart
Red Rock
Rio
Santa Fe Station
South Point
Westgate

_________________________________________________________________
Stadium baccarat

Some Las Vegas Strip casinos also deal stadium baccarat. These gaming platforms/devices have dozens of seats with a video screen. A dealer in the center handles the cards for all players. There may be multiple hands running at the same time.

I also know that Gold Coast and some Station Casinos properties also have stadium baccarat. This includes Palace Station, which offers four games at once on its Dynasty Stadium.

The Las Vegas electronic table games(ETG) can be sorted into three different categories: heads-up, stadium, and multiplayer.

My preference is the Stadium or the multiplayer. Im not a fan of the "heads-up" version as many casinos in the Midwest, USA are offering this type of game.
I much prefer the live dealer Stadium setup where we can select between >= two or four live dealer games in real time.

Re: All forms of electronic table games. There are at least sixty-nine Las Vegas area properties that have at least one version. However, this does not include every casino with electronic table games. Many smaller locals casinos also offer ETGs.

The following have at least one form of ETG <=4/24.

Las Vegas areas
Downtown Las Vegas
Binion's
California
Circa
Downtown Grand
El Cortez
Fremont
Golden Gate
Golden Nugget
Main Street Station
Plaza
The D

Las Vegas Strip
Aria
Bellagio
Caesars Palace
Casino Royale
Circus Circus
Cosmopolitan
Cromwell
Encore
Excalibur
Flamingo
Fontainebleau
Harrah's
Horseshoe
Linq
Luxor
Mandalay Bay
MGM Grand
Mirage (Hard Rock)
New York-New York
O'Sheas
Palazzo
Paris
Park MGM
Planet Hollywood
Resorts World
Sahara
Slots A Fun
The Strat
Treasure Island
Tropicana
Venetian
Wynn
Locals and off-strip casinos
Aliante
Boulder Station
Cannery
Durango
Ellis Island
Gold Coast
Green Valley Ranch
M Resort
Mohegan
Ojos Locos
Orleans
Oyo
Palace Station
Palms
Red Rock
Rio
Sam's Town
Santa Fe Station
Silver Sevens
Silverton
South Point
Suncoast
Sunset Station
Tuscany
Westgate
Wildfire Rancho


Credit in part to Kristina Mehaffey,Advantage Media


Continued Success,

#24
It may seem like triple zero roulette has taken over Las Vegas. There are almost 100 triple zero tables in the market these days and over 200 double zero ones. However, there are a few Las Vegas casinos that deal single zero roulette. April,2024 there are 29 tables in vegas. That is just 8% of the total roulette tables in the Las Vegas market. There are over three times more triple zero wheels.
     *Im guessing the same folks that play the "Big Wheel" are also visiting the 000 roulette
      wheel. Just an opinion by KungFuBac.

There are two types of Las Vegas single zero roulette. One is called European Roulette. It uses a single zero wheel and adds several bets that are not available on most other roulette felts. The big rule change in European Roulette is that the player only loses half their bet on even money wagers like red, black, odd, even, high, and low when the ball lands on zero. This is called la partage.

The other type of single zero roulette in Las Vegas is the traditional one. Every bet on the felt has the same payout as it would on a double or triple zero wheel.

The house edge in single zero roulette is 2.7%. It drops to 1.35% in European Roulette for bets that qualify under the la partage rule.

Cheapest Las Vegas single zero roulette
Plaza offers the cheapest single zero roulette game in Las Vegas. It starts at $15. The minimum bet sometimes goes up to $25 during busy hours. It is the first table game you see when entering Plaza from Main Street. Plaza's single zero roulette opens daily at night. It is sometimes available during the day.

Las Vegas locals casinos with single zero roulette
There are three Las Vegas local casinos with single zero roulette. It is available at Durango, Red Rock Resort, and Green Valley Ranch. The minimum bet is $200 at Durnago and Red Rock and $50 at Green Valley Ranch. The game may drop to $100 during the slowest hours at Durango and Red Rock.

All three Station Casinos have traditional single zero tables. La partage is not available.

Most other roulette at locals casinos is double zero. There are three triple zero tables in the locals market. 

Las Vegas Strip casinos with single zero roulette
All remaining single zero roulette tables in the market are on the Las Vegas Strip. All are in high limit salons.

The limits below are what we found during the slowest hours in our last Las Vegas table game survey. These limits are likely to be higher at night and on weekends. Some of these tables are only open on busy shifts.

$50 European Roulette
Treasure Island (often closed, may need reservations)

$100 European Roulette
Aria
Cosmopolitan
Fontainebleau
Mandalay Bay (limited hours)
Mirage
Park MGM
Resorts World

$200 to $500 European Roulette
Bellagio
Encore
MGM Grand
Wynn


$100 single zero roulette
These tables have single zero wheels but do not offer la partage.

Caesars Palace
Palazzo ($50 when slow)
Venetian $50 when slow)
Single zero roulette payouts
Payouts on single zero roulette tables are the same as ones with two or three zeros. It is impossible to bet more than one zero at single zero or European Roulette. There is also no basket bet.


 
Special thanks goes out to John Mehaffey, Advantage Media.


Continued Success,

#25
The link to full article is at the bottom. It would be interesting to know where they placed the cutoff for "high-roller". Also, how do "high-rollers" compare with "non high-rollers."

"...Baccarat didn't just perform well in isolated months, it also performed admirably when looking at the Strip's gaming total for 2023. There was a 10.6% increase in table game revenue to $4.1 billion and high-end baccarat accounted for $1.5 billion of this.

This was the Strip's third-highest yearly total ever for baccarat, close to 30% more than in 2022. More than $8.8 billion was bet on baccarat, which was a 13.5% increase from 2022. Furthermore, Strip casinos w
on a total of 16.6% of baccarat bets, the most they have done in the last two decades.  ..."


https://www.baccarat.net/news/las-vegas-strip-benefit-from-increase-in-baccarat-high-rollers/