zebra

"I would love to turn a little profit, but I'd settle for not losing my entire bankroll." Sorry to say it, but you are exactly the type of player the casino is looking for. What is the rush to plop down your hard earned cash? Wait a few weeks, invest your money on private membership, and go into the casino with the knowledge and confidence that you will win. Do you see those beautiful casinos lining the Boardwalk in AC? They were financed by players who went into battle without the proper ammunition. Been there, done that. Let Ellis and the pros here at BTC make you into a winner.

Palace Station sent me an offer for 3 free nights after only a few hours play (quarters)

Thanks for the report. It really isn't a losing day if you learn something important that you can add to your arsenal. Hopefully you will follow "rule 6" in the future to eliminate losing days. Paul

I echo John's sentiments. I learn something every time we play together. My only regret is that I did not meet you back in the day. Strange, since we were both spending a lot of time in AC. Knock 'em dead in Vegas. Sorry I won't be able to be there. Paul

Ron - check your PM's

Hey Ron - glad to hear that the second reason is working out. What's up with that first reason? Gman

You sold me - where do I send the million bucks?

I think I recognize that young fella!

I still think Vegas is the best place to play - Gold Coast and Palace Station are 2 casinos that have multiple tables and tote boards and it is still relatively inexpensive to stay there. Then, of course, there are the buffets! I would definitely go. Paul

The turmoil of the past few weeks here on the forum has got me thinking about a few things. A few years ago, when I first joined BTC, the atmosphere was quite different. Ellis would throw out a few ideas and we, the members, would work on ways to improve them. These ideas were discussed and tested BY US. I knew very little about baccarat other than how to play. Everything I know about systems I learned here. But even when I was a relative newbie I was involved in improving the systems. I even had a system named for me - I think it was SKOR-Z (Z for Zebra). My point is that it was a group effort. That is what made this forum different than all the others. Today it seems that everyone is looking to Ellis to do everything. You all know the basic principles of net betting - go on and try to make improvements yourselves and toss them to the group to test and improve. You don't need Ellis to guide you step-by-step. I have met and played with many of you in the "new generation" of BTC. You have the intelligence and motivation to do this. We should not be bickering over whether to pay for a new manual - we should be CREATING that manual for our mutual benefit. Okay, somebody help me off this soapbox. Paul

Just want to add my two cents to the discussion of the AC Seminar. I really didn't go there to learn NOR - I think I know it pretty well. I went to reconnect with some old friends and meet some new ones. Living as I do in South Carolina, the buckle of the Bible Belt, I rarely get the opportunity to play baccarat, so I use the various seminars as an excuse to go to play. This trip I was honored to get to expound on my NORSAP style of play. Of course, listening to Ellis I always pick up a tidbit or two that enhances my play. One thing I have noticed from the start is that the folks I meet from BTC are a most friendly group. I sat with a group of 5 relatively new members and thoroughly enjoyed their company. Dinner at Carmine's was great as was the Saturday buffet. I don't think I have ever met a BTC member that I didn't like. Maybe that's because many of them are old geezers like me. Anyway, I played a total of 9 shoes. I lost one, broke even in one (a no commish table) and won seven. I stayed longer than normal in many of the games because I don't play that often. If I followed all the win-stops I would have done even better. Those nine shoes were played at Trop, Bally's and Caesar's. I am looking forward to the next gathering. I expect to be playing in Florida (Coconut Creek) early April and back in AC in June. Hope to see more of you in my travels. Paul

Here is how you count a ZZ run: BBBPBPBPBBB B B B(1) P(2) B(3) P(4) B(5) P(6) B(7) B B This is a ZZ run of 7. In your count you probably missed the first, that is why you were always one short Hope this helps Paul

Careful Keith! Do you really want to record EVERYTHING we do???? BTW, what time are we meeting at Carmine's?

I can answer for Ellis. XDX is certainly available and the cost is ...nothing! All the rules and sample play are in the thread started by PJ entitled ADVANCED SAP exploits. You can find that thread under the Universal Baccarat heading. Of course, you have to be a member.

I just reserved my room. They claim there was a computer glitch. Anyone calling in now will have no problem getting the $179 rate. Paul

I will be staying at the Sheraton on Friday and Saturday nights. Would anyone care to share the room and split the cost? Sex is not an issue. (Interpret that however you want) PM me if interested Paul

What is the discount rate?

What is the discount rate?

From the outside it looks like a business office - lawyer, accountant, etc. It is just off a busy downtown area. I had a hard time finding it because I was looking for a casino, and this did not look like any casino I knew. There are no bright lights. Just a simple sign with the name. To gain entrance you must show your player's card. You can get one by showing ID - in my case, my passport. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. The place was virtually empty on the weekday afternoon I was there. The dealer told me they were busy weekends. There was one table for bac, one roulette, 2 BJ - I'm a bit fuzzy on this, and some slots scattered about. There was no problem changing currency. Food was also available. My dealer made a few errors so was probably not too experienced. I played about 2 1/2 shoes and did OK. I think I was playing AD back then. I enjoyed the experience and would have returned if there weren't so many other things to do. I have seen the Dublinbet set-up and I recognize it as the same place I played. Paul

Dublinbet is housed in the Fitzwilliam Card Club, a little casino in Dublin. I actually played there before they went on the internet. Bac is called "punto banco" there, and the entire casino has about 6 tables - not 6 bac tables - 6 TOTAL tables.

I don't understand your question. Please put it in other words. What is XX and EC?

Finas SAP does not tell you which system to use. You still have to observe what the tote board tells you. SAP is useful in making certain bets no matter which system you are in. So, for example, if 3's are MC and you see a 2, SAP tells you to bet that the 2 will go to 3. This would override whatever the system said to bet. But after that bet you go right back to the system. This takes lots of practice - you must learn to play NOR flawlessly before taking on the extra burden of SAP. Please be patient. Paul

How many rm in a $US?

I think that would be great. I find it is the best tool I have in my arsenal. No need to wait for a set number of plays - they have already been made. Lots of 1's - S40 Lots of 2's - OTB4L Lots of runs - F Of course many shoes are not so cut and dried. What do you look for on the boards? Paul

Ellis is correct as usual. The SAP count is just another tool in our arsenal. Yes, it best used in shoes where we find great disparity, but that is exactly what I look for before I sit down at a table. I only want to play at tables with disparity, so of course the SAP count will come into play. I don't see the need for going past the 4 Hi SAP count because it is very simple to just look at the scorecard to past events to see how high they went - there won't be that many of them. I have done that when trying to decide whether to stay OTR.