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    beginning to make sense

    DoughBoy Posted on
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    I have been looking at ways to build confidence in my throw and an effort to limit the tendency for magical thinking. What I mean by this is the old gambler in me that used to hope and pray that I could get lucky this next trip. Well I have been through the Refresher and learned a lot about the role of betting and the role of developing a consistent and repeatable toss. I went to the bank a couple of weeks ago and brought home a couple rolls of quarters and the thought was that if I was going to play at a 25 dollar table and not tremble as I tossed, I wanted to familiarize myself with the swings in fortune that come with that. I have read Dom’s strategy of practicing a betting routine along with the toss and decided that this is what I would do. I also really like the big skinny as a betting strategy. So I give the bank a role of quarters and keep one for myself. Each roll represents a thousand dollar buy in. I try and double my buy in or fail. It has been a great experience because the swings are dramatic. As my shot improves it is also interesting to see how many times I have been able to double my buy in. I know this is not in the casino and I also realize that in my quiet little garage I can really focus. That’s alright.
    I now have an automatic betting pattern and solid strategy. This is new for me. I use the hardway set for all my throws and it is gratifying to see how few 6/1 sevens show up.
    I know that for many of you this is nothing new but for us beginners, these are great tools. I want to thank all of you for your suggestions on the board and I can already anticipate my next trip in a couple of weeks. I really believe that if I want to build a sustainable level of confidence it will have to be based on verifiable results and not wishful thinking. This is such a humbling journey but something that really makes me smile along the way. A couple rolls of quarters tells me a lot about what is working and what is not.
    As I practice my toss and work on my grip and follow through I think about all of you that have provided the encouragement along the way. Thanks to the GTC team. DoughBoy

    Replies:

    Posted by: JRC on August 16, 2013, 2:31 am

    It sounds like a lot of things are coming together for you. Isn’t funny how practice has that effect. The only thing i might add to your process is invest in some chips. They are available here on the site. The quality is good and the cost reasonable. The reason for using chips like you play with in a casino is to train your brain. If you do this enough the brain gets used to those bets being there. The brain doesn’t realize those chips in practice and those in live play are not the same. At some point it just becomes a normal part of the process just like the toss itself.

    JRC

    Posted by: Dr Crapology on August 16, 2013, 11:06 am

    Great post. The quarter idea is an excellent one. However you can purchase chips in all dominations from many sources. The GTC Gambler’s Outpost is good source as you will get only the best quality chips. Although a $25 table is a little high for Doc and Alligator Rose we practice as of we were at a $10 and/or $15 table so that we are familiar with the moves we must make in pressing. When we run into a $5 table it is easy to drop back. We go to an area that has 20 and 100 times odds so a lot of room to press our odds.

    Yes we like The Big Skinny as well. TBS helps us to have better results on short rolls–8 to 12 or 15 rolls–with better wins or lower losses yet be in position to make some $$$$ when a long roll occurs. You MUST learn to be patient in the early part of your rolls. We know it is disappointing to be on 3 numbers and hit several box numbers you don’t have money on, but remember it is only a couple of hits missed before you will be on those numbers and on your way to a good win.

    Just a few thoughts.

    Alligator Rose and Doc

    Posted by: Mr Finesse on August 16, 2013, 3:43 pm

    [Great post topic.

    I think you are going about this the correct way and keep it up.

    I agree with JRC, I think you should invest in the proper denomination chips to practice with. Call Dom and get a 1 sleeve of Black, 2 sleeves of Green, at least 3 sleeves of Red and 1 sleeve of White chips. This will help you familiarize yourself with the feel, the appearance and over come any anxiety you may gat from playing a $25.00 table.

    Betting at home like you intend to play will help tremendously

    The Big Skinny is the only way to play, practice this at home so that you do not have to think about it in the casino.

    Hope we will see you in AC at the October class..[/b]

    Posted by: TommyC on August 17, 2013, 1:48 am

    When I finished my refresher in Memphis, Dom said go home and practice betting.
    I bought chips and practiced and practiced. Not only my betting but to pay myself also.
    I’m still weak in this area, but I’m a lot better than few months ago.
    See you in LV in a couple of months.
    TommyC

    Posted by: DoughBoy on August 23, 2013, 2:32 am

    I just wanted to thank all of you for the good advice. I will get my chips and continue to practice. I continue to build a realistic idea of where I stand in the process. Don’t worry Doc, I am not starting at the 25 dollar table. I just like to imagine and get myself ready emotionally to desensitize myself from the money. I know it’s money but I do not want to scare myself unnecessarily. Tommy, I hope to see you in Vegas. I will continue to play for free in my garage. I’m not ready for showtime yet. All the best to all of you and good luck. DoughBoy

    Posted by: Timmer on August 23, 2013, 1:26 pm

    Hello DoughBoy,

    I’ve enjoyed reading about your practice. Also glad to learn things are coming together for you.

    You’ve written that you’ve assessed your skills and found that you’re "not ready for showtime yet." That honest assessment is an indicator that you are indeed doing things right…

    Now is the time to practice with a purpose, following Dominator’s One Year Of Work from the first page of your Primer class syllabus/schedule. As taught in class, this is also the time to create and contribute to your 401G account.

    We know that practice doesn’t make perfect – perfect practice makes perfect. It sounds like you’re doing just fine with this as well…

    By not putting your bankroll at risk until you are playing with a proven edge shows both wisdom and discipline, DoughBoy…

    The casinos will always be there, after all…

    Keep us posted with your progress!

    😎 😎 😎

    Posted by: Finisher on August 25, 2013, 8:05 pm

    go on line for chip chips.

    Posted by: Finisher on August 25, 2013, 8:06 pm

    go on line for chip chips.

    Posted by: Dominator on August 28, 2013, 3:17 pm

    After all these years, I seldom practice any other way than with an imaginary buy in and try to double my buy in. What I love about this practice routine is when I am all in and I can come back to a plus amount!

    Dominator

    Posted by: DoughBoy on August 29, 2013, 4:26 pm

    I have to say Dom that this is also a kick for me. Sometimes I am down to my last chips and I come back to a positive count. I know if I hadn’t been practicing with the betting strategy in place I would still be scaring myself at the tables. In the past, the moment I was down the negative thoughts would start and this would just snowball. Now after several thousand throws, I can self correct and also be much more proactive with my shot. The Big Skinny may not be the strategy for everyone but for me it is the first time I will step into the casino with a practiced plan and the knowledge that there will be an ebb and flow to my fortunes. I think prior to this I was riding my own self made emotional roller coaster. Now, I am much more purpose-full. Thanks, DoughBoy

    Posted by: Dominator on August 29, 2013, 7:01 pm

    That is the key about practicing with chips. It not only gives you the moves you are going to make in the heat of battle, but also the confidence to know you can come back!

    Dominator

    Posted by: Finisher on September 11, 2013, 8:33 pm

    DoughBoy You can get chips on line for as little as 9,95for 300 and 500 for 29.95 or 1,000 for 54.95 . The better chips are more so there is a large selection. But for your needs the chip ones will do I think . I paid 79.95 for 1,000 in 2009 .
    Good Rolling . 😀 😀

    Posted by: Finisher on September 12, 2013, 3:47 am

    I DID FIND 1,000 FOR 67.59 At would you believe Wal Mart . They are trademark chips . The only bad part is they come in blue which I never use but do use the white,red green and black .
    Good Rolling. 😀 😀

    Posted by: The Breeze on September 12, 2013, 4:05 pm

    The practicing with chips is one of the best things I have done to improve my play and my confidence. But I also want to add that you have to beware of the "playing with scared money" issue. Prior to taking the last refresher in Las Vegas I had depleted my 401G to a point where I probably should not have been playing or would have been better off not playing as I was edgy due to what I was working with and adjusting my betting to the lower bank roll. I was not betting as soon on my self and basically lost money in doing so. Based on my improved play since the refresher I am gradually building my 401G back to where I can play like I practice. And I also want to mention that for me my performance totally depends on how much I have been practicing – it’s kind of a building process. If I lay off a few day of practice I can’t pick right up from where I left off, I need to practice more and put more table time in to get back to the level of play I want to have when I hit the casino. Some time family issues, work around the house get in the way of serious practice and I absolutely won’t practice if I have drank any alcohol as it is detrimental to my practice and interferes with my muscle memory.

    DoughBoy
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