Counting Cards with Cowgirls
May 10, 2009
Q: When is 6:5 Blackjack acceptable?
A: When you have one deck and two D’s.
As in cup size.
Binion’s puts the female dealers at the casino entrance and while it does indeed draw many spectators to gawk, most of the gambling is done further inside the property.
I, however, did play some cards in the Binion’s “Cowgirl Pit” this afternoon.
Binion's Casino in Downtown Las Vegas
Binion's Casino in Downtown Las Vegas
Binion's Cowgirl Pit
Binion's Cowgirl Pit
Binion's Cowgirl Pit
“Gee Rex, you gave a 1.39% edge to the house to talk to some boobs?”
Well, sort of.
I was talking to the girls about the upcoming Helldorado Days’ events that I will be attending this week, and I find that it is always easier to talk to dealers when you are actually playing. It’s typically frowned upon to stand there and chit-chat, so I sat down and played the $5 minimum per hand. The difference in BJ payouts on five bucks is $1.50, so I considered it part of the cost of the entertainment.
I also felt slightly less guilty because the game was single deck.
Now, this brings up a whole new debate in which reasonable people can disagree. I suppose.
Is it “as bad” to play 6:5 if the dealer is pitching the cards instead of yanking them out of a massive shoe?
In my opinion, the answer is … probably. The only people who think they have an edge counting cards at the 6:5 single deck games are wannabe card counters, and I think this is something that casinos play on.
“Pffft, you go play that six five shoe crap, I’m going over to play the six five single deck because I can count cards and have a better shot at winning.”
Most people who say this (and I’m sure some people do say it) have absolutely no advantage whatsoever.
Let’s face it, no real card counter would be caught dead at any 6:5 game. Ever.
About 10 years ago, I bought a little book in a Vegas gift shop. It purported to teach me how to play “Winning Blackjack”. Of course, we all know the principal behind rudimentary card counting. Add 1 for low cards, subtract 1 for high cards, raise your bet when the deck is rich, and things along these lines.
Obviously, if the author was truly a successful card counter, he wouldn’t have needed my $4.99 for the book. I did, however, need something for the 280 mile ride to Los Angeles the next day.
While the book certainly did not turn me into a professional card counter by any stretch of the imagination, I steadfastly maintain that I can split tens against a dealer 5 or 6 to my advantage in certain situations. I’ve even tested my own “system” against Blackjack video games, and I am satisfied that splitting gives me an advantage in certain situations.
Alas, it always clears tables, or causes other players to have minor melt-downs, so I usually only do it heads up or with one or two other players at the table.
Today, I was heads-up.
The cowgirl pit wasn’t very crowded, so I had the girl and her hat all to myself.
Binion's Cowgirl Pit
During the course of my session, I had three chances to split tens under conditions that I felt were favorable (one was marginal, but I rarely get to play heads up). To make a long story short, I nailed them all. I won six hands instead of three. The pit dude actually watched the final time with some interest, but I am sure it was out of boredom. Card counters aren’t going to have $5 on the table if they think the deck is juiced, and I never went above the minimum unless I doubled down on 10/11.
Now, I know exactly what you’re thinking.
“Wow, Rex. You are the greatest Blackjack player ever! Not only that, but you are incredibly handsome, you emit a pleasant aroma at all times, and I cannot take my eyes off of your buttocks because they are sublime.”
Thank you for noticing.
I get that all the time.
And by all the time, I mean never.
At least not for less than $500 an hour plus gratuity.
It’s a sad session when you boldly split tens heads-up, win every time, yet still walk away with a 50% loss. This is what I did.
While I did my ten trick with a rich deck, I did not increase my bets with a rich deck. Thank goodness. I tried to keep an eye on how the hands played out when I thought I had an advantage, and while I was not wrong, the dealer was getting every face. I got plenty of faces, but never on the first two cards. There was almost always a little card sandwiched between them. Against a dealer 7 through10, I mostly got … K-2 hit Q, 10-4 hit J, J-5 hit 10 … you get the idea.
Just because the deck is rich, doesn’t mean you’re going to win. A rich deck also means that it is less likely that you will get two smalls in a row.
In short, I am a hideous card counter, and I am better off at a 3:2 shoe game than I am at a 6:5 pitch game. 99% of us probably are.
Yes, I know there are people out there (a couple that I know personally) who can tilt a single, and even double deck game solidly in their favor.
One of these days I would like to learn that skill, but I know for a fact that it takes a great amount of practice and dedication. Until then, I will continue seeking out 3:2, regardless of the deck size.
Speaking of specialty pits, it seems like everyone is creating one. The Pleasure Pit, The Party Pit, The Pussycat Pit, The Cowgirl Pit, The X Pit, etc. At some point, every hotel will have one. The caveat to these endeavors are that the odds are generally less favorable in return for the eye candy and the atmosphere.
Last week I played at the Pleasure Pit in Planet Hollywood after seeing PEEPSHOW, and I have to give credit where credit is due. $10 3:2 on a Thursday night is not bad. I had an excellent session, and since BJ is a long run game, I’m up on the month due solely to the night I had there. It was a solid hour of “can’t lose” cards, and I didn’t have to count cards or employ any goofy strategies to win. I just got lucky, while getting wood.
Planet Hollywood's Pleasure Pit
Planet Hollywood's Pleasure Pit
When you are a 40 year old male, it simply doesn’t get any better than that.
I do like Downtown’s efforts as they move in the “party” direction in the gambling pits. The girls generate attention, they add to the fun factor, and I think they will only get better with limits and odds as time goes on. You will be hard-pressed to find any novelty pit with $5 minimums, and Binion’s is an attractive offering.
However, taken as a whole (girl quality, limits, and odds) … Planet Hollywood’s Pleasure Pit is probably the best skin pit going in Vegas right now.
Of course, this is subject to change at any moment. Such is the nature of the town.
As for me, it’s 3:2 from now on regardless of the breast size or level of attractiveness.
Probably.
And by probably, I mean probably not.
Written by vern on May 11, 2009 at 3:37 am
thanks for the pictures of the dealers rex, the binion cowgirls look better than the hooters girls, they show off more clevage. thanks again rex for the pictures. i don’t get to vegas as much as i like but because of your website i can keep up with what is going on out there.
Written by mad dog on May 11, 2009 at 6:18 am
Do not forget the El Co’s “Party Pit” you wrote about:
http://vegasrex.posterous.com/el-cortez-party-pit-dealers
Party Pit
Play blackjack with some of the most beautiful dealers downtown every Friday and Saturday night from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
I guess it is still going?
Written by Gary Stein on May 11, 2009 at 6:27 am
Very nice! These pits are the best idea that the casinos have come up with in a long time. I think all dealers should be dressed like these women and all be women. No more stuck up and unfriendly dealers with scowls on their faces.
Written by desertrat on May 11, 2009 at 6:52 am
Those Binion’s cowgirls look might friendly. Great move on their part to have them at the front of the casino where passerbys can see them easily, and get lured in.
I’m looking forward to your post on Helldorado, another great event in downtown Las Vegas.
Written by Jeremy on May 11, 2009 at 7:05 am
meh – you fail. You always say “never play 6:5″ and the only reason that casinos have 6:5 is cause sucker tourist will play them.
You played 6:5 BlackJack to see some boobs. You could have sat on the street corner and looked all homeless and saw some boobs.
This is why Casinos can get away with 6:5 on blackjack, because even the most outspoken person on the game will still play it…..
Fail
Written by blueboar on May 11, 2009 at 9:37 am
@mad dog — Yes, as of 2 weeks ago the El Co’s Party Pit was still going. Very attractive, friendly, and professional dealers. But as Rex pointed out, they are over dressed for a typical “Party Pit”. They are dressed in “classy” dresses that show some cleavage, but not skimpy outfits like the other places. It’s also $10, which might be a bit high for downtown and there weren’t a lot of people playing that pit. And that pit closes pretty early (at 2 AM). Still, they are nice, just not really like the other party pits springing up around town.
Written by Rex on May 11, 2009 at 9:51 am
Guilty as charged with regards to playing 6:5. I also had additional motives (in addition to the boobs) and sometimes you have to give a little to get a little.
As Boar said, the ElCo pit has very hot women, but they wear a large amount of clothing.
Downtown is just getting into this niche’, and I think they will improve on their offerings as time goes on.
The Gold Spike has very attractive dealers (better than many Strip casinos), and they are starting to advertise it as “Sexy Blackjack”.
Downtown is really starting to up the “hot chick” factor, and I think it’s a good idea.
Written by Andrew on May 11, 2009 at 11:14 am
If I had to choose between playing at a 6:5 table where the dealer is a young attractive woman wearing little clothing or s 3:2 table where the dealer is an older unattractive woman/man (doesn’t matter on clothing), I would always play at the 6:5 table. Yeah, the odds suck, but at least I’ll have fun losing my money, which I already planned on losing anyway. I’m in Vegas to have fun not hunt down the best odds.
Written by al on May 11, 2009 at 12:04 pm
6:5 on single deck is bad enough but at the party pits at all the harrahs properties, it was 6:5 on 6 deck shoes (!) WTF is that all about. Seems like just a matter of time before they completely take away 3:2. And the thing was the table was full and they stupid people were clapping when you would get a black jack and the pit would hand you a Harrahs beeded necklace instead of the rest of you money… Makes you want to go over and slap everyone for them to ‘WAKE UP’.
Written by Spank on May 11, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Played inside at Binion’s on St. Pat’s during the daytime, the dealer was sporting at least 36Ds with the same sort of outfit as your pics. Bonus points: 3:2 payout on bj AND $5 minimum at the time.
That night Golden Gate had hot chicks dancing around inside the pits and $5 minimums. It was a good day.
Written by Carlos on May 11, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Thanks for sharing those photos with us! The cowboy hats are a nice touch too.
Written by Michelle on May 11, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Hey Rex,
Did you use a cellphone to take these photos? I’ve seen your live photos and videos on your other blog and I was wondering what kind of device you use for them, if you don’t mind my asking. The image quality is pretty good so I was curious. TIA
Written by Rex on May 11, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Well, you inspired me.
I’ve been talking about my Blackberry Curve for nearly two years, but I still get the question pretty often.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words:
http://www.vegasrex.com/2009/05/11/my-best-friend/
2008 and 2009 live posts have either been authored with my Curve or my Laptop. If it looks like a “real” camera shot, I hooked my camera to my laptop and sent it up. All of my cellphone shots are taken with my Curve.
Written by Michelle on May 11, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Yay, I inspired you *blush*. Thanks for answering me. I just got through reading your blackberry article, and wow you covered every question I had and would have had about your mobile blogging device. I think you pioneered the concept of the live photo blog, other people do it here and there like on tweetpic but you do it the most frequently and regularly. As far as live blogs are concerned, I think you’re the innovator. Umm, don’t tease me, but I have an iPhone and I love it.
Written by catherine on May 12, 2009 at 7:13 am
Lol, and with that post, thousands of bloggers everywhere are lining up to buy blackberry curves.
Written by Albee on May 14, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I have seen the signs, but have not been yet……..Texas Station……Topless Blackjack. Check it out and report back!
Written by bob on July 2, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I’m not sure the last time you were downtown, but gosh the golden gate is in the party pit business now too… they said wednesday through sunday they have girls dealing and then dancing.
Written by beth on July 22, 2009 at 8:30 am
Having these party pits downtown is an excellent idea, and from My uncle will be there in the fall and I’ll definitely inform him of these pits, he’ll really get a kick out of them, especially the cowgirls. Most of his stay will be downtown so what a way to spend his gambling bucks, chatting it up with friendly attractive women who appreciate your business. He doesn’t mind losing money as long as he enjoyed himself. Again, I’m really enjoying your downtown series. Thanks for the diverse coverage of Vegas.