Bankroll discipline

Discuss proper hold strategies and "advantage play" and ask questions about how to improve your play.
clwn2
Senior Member
Posts: 192
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:35 am

Bankroll discipline

Post by clwn2 »

I want to get a feel for my level of discipline regarding my bankroll.  In this case I am talking about per session discipline.  Over the years I have developed some discipline with regard to how much I spend during a session. Usually I have a set amount of money I will bring with me depending on how long I plan on playing.   However, sometimes I will find myself at the ATM taking out more money.  I have often wondered just how diciplined some of you are.  I do not gamble compulsively as in out of control or with money I cannot do without.  I just want to compare myself with other responsible players because that is what I want to be.  I am sure that all of you are familiar with the Harrahs commercial where the CEO talks about setting and keeping a limit.  This commercial makes me feel like it is a sin to go to the ATM? Any comparisons will be welcome especially from our 3 stars and above crowd.   

MikeA
Video Poker Master
Posts: 1615
Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:50 pm

Post by MikeA »

I "budget" myself loosly to 2,000 credits per day.  But, that doesn't stop me if I'm having fun.  The thing is though, If I've gone through 2,000 credits in a day playing single line games, I'm probably not having fun.  Most likely, I've already hung it up on VP and switched over to Blackjack or people watching.

scorpio2
VP Veteran
Posts: 558
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:17 am

Post by scorpio2 »

it is amazing how long the lines are at casino atms.and the rates they charge are rediculous.i think the casinos bank on us gamblers running short,and then going to the atm,to get even with the bad payoff machines.

shadowman
Video Poker Master
Posts: 3587
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:42 pm

Post by shadowman »

I've always brought a set amount with me and if I lose it I quit. I've never used an ATM at a casino in my life. However, that is probably not the best approach. At times this means I'm carrying more money around than I probably should. OTOH, I know people who show up at a casino with almost no cash and hit the ATM again and again. I don't think this is a good idea either. It's easy to lose track of just how much you've lost.
 
As long as you set a reaonable loss limit and adhere to it all (most?) of the time then I don't see any problems.
 
I also like to keep track of my overall wins/losses so I have a feeling for exactly how I am doing over many trips. It's easy for losses to build up. It's not like I'm going to quit because I know I'm playing with an advantage, but it helps when I'm having a bad day if I know I'm way ahead for the year. 
 
This situation occurred once this summer. I had budgeted myself 4000 credits for a trip and had lost it all the first day. The next morning I still wanted to play and I knew I was doing well overall, so I "borrowed" 500 credits from my wife. I proceeded to win back 2200 credits that I had lost. Of course, I could just as easily have lost the 500, but being ahead overall allowed me to take this risk.

royal flush
Video Poker Master
Posts: 1117
Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:50 pm

Post by royal flush »

i play at the 25c level vp as fp deuces is only 25c level and some bad days are part of life as long as i play 100%+ games correctly plus slot card in the long run i will prevail i play more live poker as i have a bigger advantage over weak playing tourists on weekends or holidays and vp on other times the paytables are the same and machines are less crowded

faygo
Video Poker Master
Posts: 2925
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:55 am

Post by faygo »

I set a day limit,when it is gone it is gone. That is unless my partner is having a good day then I might dip into the next days BR for a small amount.(400 credits) If nothing good happens, I'm done for the day.
 
ATMs are only  for emergency use.(i.e gas money home)   Not for gambling.  It flat grinds me that you have to pay someone to give you your money. $2.50 fee, your bank $1.50 fee. 96% return on a $100, we wouldn't play a VP machine with that  return. I know it is tough to walk away, when the next deal might be a Royal.

ghoff2000@aol.com
Forum Newbie
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:04 pm

Post by ghoff2000@aol.com »

I've played in a lot of casinos in the midwest and several in Las Vegas and never used an ATM. I may be wrong, but I think that if you cash personal checks at the casino,
 especially if you use a slot card, you become more known to the casino and are more likely to be comped.

mmahon6
Forum Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:27 pm

Post by mmahon6 »

My wife and I take a check and leave the debit and credit cards at home. Win or lose we are much happier, knowing we have a set amount and can not run to the ATM or heaven forbid get a cash advance.

details
Forum Regular
Posts: 57
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 4:50 pm

Post by details »

 I find a good money management is key, have a plan before you play.       Set a goal and stop when you reach your goal whether it is a certain hand or an amount of money. Remember there is always tomorrow. o yea!  just one more thing the the casinos have all the pateince in the world so could you!

shadowman
Video Poker Master
Posts: 3587
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:42 pm

Post by shadowman »

I have a little different take on goals.
 
When playing negative games I think goals are extremely important. Since you are destined to lose more than you win it is important to limit those losses on your bad days and walk away with wins when the opportunity exists. However, I feel differently about positive games.
 
For games where the player has an advantage I find short term goals are much less important. While I control my losses by limiting them to my session stakes (which are usually quite large), I don't have any other goals. The fact is, the more I play the more likely I will win over time and the more I should win. Setting arbitrary goals only gets in the way of this long term effect.

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