How to protect an early trip win?

[Sputnick]

Hello everyone. I am a long time craps player, but new to posting on this great site. I generally plan three day trips to the casinos. I find that more often than not I will win my trip goal in the first day and then bleed off win amounts over the next few days (start to lose energy and focus). I enjoy shooting the dices and have a difficult time playing for smaller bets (trying to protect win amounts). I love to play golf, but as in craps, I want to hit the ball and not watch someone else play. Thoughts of how I can
develop greater discipline? Thanks

[London Shooter]

Come home two days early

[Sputnick]

Six shooter - thanks
London Shooter - too much hassle to get to casino

[London Shooter]

OK then. Go for three days and only bet on the last day.......

[Bankerdude80]

I can relate to this issue as well. It comes down to putting obstacles in your way. By that, I mean put together an itinerary to fill the time. Go to a show, the spa, pool, go golfing, dinner with friends/family, etc. Allocate a fixed amount of time at the tables. I think most of us have discipline issues we struggle with. Hopefully some of the experts will comment on how they tamed the beast of wanting to play. I know Heavy likes to say, "Do you wanna play, or do you wanna win?" or something to that effect. We all want to win, we just have to learn to play smarter so we can win.

[Sputnick]

Bankerdude80,
You have pin pointed my particular issue of thinking that I have travel to the casino, and I need to take advantage of the opportunities to play. My next trip will include scheduled times away from the property to recharge batteries and not be able to yield to the call of the tables. I like Heavy's quote. It really sheds light on motivations of a person's reasons for going to the casinos. Much thanks!

[freak]

A thing we find very helpful is to have a planned play for each session. Stick to that play and accept the win or loss that the session play can yield. If we do a day trip then we usually play the same pay, like $56 inside. But if we have a long trip we might mix it up. $96 across 1 hit and regress sometimes..$6 six on every shooter build up and out at other times. This gives us some table time that is high risk/high reward and some that is low risk/low reward. This helps satisfy our need for table time when we don't have the bankroll to support a big risky play for an extended period.

We're also getting better at protecting wins by going to the smaller play after a nice win. Sometimes your best roll is your first. It's happened to us both ways. If we win big the first session that usually alters our play for the remaining sessions so that we keep at least 30-50% of that win FOR SURE. Every trip is different but what is fairly consistent is the fact that today's session does not go like yesterday's did.

[heavy]

I don't have the patience to type the entire envelope system of money management on the old cell phone this morning do if one of you guys who have been around awhIle will cover it I'd appreciate it. Have a set amount for each session. Lock up any session wins. Once they go in the take home envelope the funds do not come back out until you get home.

[TommyD]

Hey Heavy -

I saved this from a post of yours....hope it's what you were looking for

"LOSS LIMITS
You know, I've told several players through the years to never take more money to the casino than you are willing to lose. Do I take too much money to the tables? All the time. But my discipline against same-session re-buys is pretty strong. You'll rarely see me buy in to take another shot. If I buy in for $500 I'll typically set a $300 loss limit and they just don't get another dime from me. If I win $300 I'll lock up a $150 guarantee and my original buy in and continue to play with the remaining $150. If I lose HALF of that remaining $150 then I'll lock up that last $75 - my session win turns into $225 - and I'm done. Fact is, I can do this all day long when I'm playing by myself. It's when I get to the table with my friends and fellow DI's that I tend to toss caution to the wind.  

The old "envelope" system works great for trips to Vegas, etc. If you're driving to the casino three times a week - it's a bit more of a challenge. But the concept remains the same. Break your bankroll down into session amounts and put the different session bankrolls in individual envelopes. Only take the one you're playing with this session to the casino with you. When you get home take whatever you bring home - your buy in plus your win or your loss limit remainders - goes into a fresh envelope. Once you've played through all of your individual session envelopes and returned your wins and loss limit remainders to that last envelope - take the cash out, count it, divide it up into 3 envelopes for next week (or 12 envelopes for the rest of the month, etc.) and start all over again."

Hope it helps.

Tommy D

[Sputnick]

Freak, Heavy, and Tommy D,
Thanks for the great suggestions. I will absolutely use your suggestions.

[London Shooter]

If you want game time at a small cost whilst still having a big(ish) win to aim for, how about just betting min pass (or DP) to allow you to shoot the dice and then place only a Firebet or an ATS bet? Might be a fun way to get a few rolls in whilst protecting your win and also try using some different sets to snipe out the missing numbers if you get near to hitting one of side bets.

[vegasfan2010]

I use Heavy's envelope system too. I get the envelopes from my bank before my trip.
It has worked well for me.

[slowdriver]

Rent a car… see the sites or just drive around.

I have been going to Vegas every year for about 6 years I stay for at least 7 days and last year I went twice, the second trip was only 3 days. A few years ago I started to rent a car for the entire trip and this has been great for me, about mid-week I take a break from the casinos and take a day trip to see something interesting last year I went to the Valley of fire state park.

With a car you can drive to one of the local casinos that will have smaller limits, or find a table that looks good. You don’t feel trapped by the casino that you are staying in.

Slow,

[Sputnick]

London Shooter, Vegasfan2010, and Slowdriver,

Hey guys thanks for your input. All great solutions for breaking the robotic habits you can get into in the casinos. Utilizing various betting strategies and getting out of the casino atmosphere would have to help freshen things up. Much appreciated!

[Bankerdude80]

Here's a thread on Loss Limits and where Heavy opines on the envelope system:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3022&p=41085#p41085

And YES, Heavy, I did re-read it again after this last Vegas outing.

[Sputnick]

Fish- thanks
Bankerdude80 - a very good read. Thanks

[bryfromtheharbor]

Envelope system and each session is independent. The early win is back in the safe. No need to change into some playing scared slow bleed. In a three day I don't play on day one travel day. Next morning two 2hour pre-breakfast sessions and a mid day session. No night play anymore for me. Next morning same two-2hrs sessions follwed by mid day hit and runs before the drive/ flight back. Limited play time get in, get up, get gone.

[Sputnick]

Bryfromtheharbor
Thanks for your thoughts. Night play is tough for me too.

[Bankerdude80]

Oh, I forgot to mention one of the best ways to put an obstacle in your way and spend time away from the tables is to take a Toss Tune-Up class with Dice Coach when in for a Las Vegas visit. For a nominal fee you get a few hours to work on your toss, garner a few tips from the Coach, and time away from the Strip.

[Sputnick]

Bankerdude80,
That would sure be productive use of any DI's time. For the upside potential of increased table winnings, the time and fee associated with toss tune up make good business sense. Thanks.