Blackjack Tips?

[GreySkies]

I like to play blackjack, but I do so very infrequently. The last time I played in a casino, I did something that annoyed someone at the table and made me feel very belittled. In order to try not to annoy anyone at the table, what tips can you give me?

 

Thanks,

[casinocompman]

Honestly, there is nothing you can do at a blackjack table to affect anyone else around you odds of winning or losing. Nothing. No matter what people say, no matter what they will write in this thread - it is all superstition and nothing based on math, probability, or odds.

 

That being said, there is certain ettiquite to avoid these confrontations over superstions. Some things....

 

1. People dont like for you to jump in to the middle of a shoe. Wait until there is a shuffle to begin your play.

 

2. People dont like play that differs from basic strategy. If you hit on 15 against a 5, people will wait until that move causes the dealer to get a 21, and then blame you (even though that is ridiculous). If you are not going to play basic strategy, you are better off playing at 1st or 2nd base than at the far left of the table.

 

Once again, in reality there is nothing you can do to make others win or lose (longterm) and this is all based on superstition. But unfortunately, you will feel like the only sane person in a room of crazy people when this happens and I understand your wanting to not be in this position.

[casinocompman]

Forgot one other....

 

3. Ask the others at the table before you play a second hand midshoe.

[cb at sea]

Playing BJ in a casino is NOT like playing at home...you are only trying to beat the DEALER....you are NOT trying to get "21"...big difference!

Get a "cheat sheet" on the suggested way to bet, based on the dealer's "up" card....study it.

Never, ever split 10s!

[grod19]

Honestly, there is nothing you can do at a blackjack table to affect anyone else around you odds of winning or losing. Nothing. No matter what people say, no matter what they will write in this thread - it is all superstition and nothing based on math, probability, or odds.

 

That being said, there is certain ettiquite to avoid these confrontations over superstions. Some things....

 

1. People dont like for you to jump in to the middle of a shoe. Wait until there is a shuffle to begin your play.

 

2. People dont like play that differs from basic strategy. If you hit on 15 against a 5, people will wait until that move causes the dealer to get a 21, and then blame you (even though that is ridiculous). If you are not going to play basic strategy, you are better off playing at 1st or 2nd base than at the far left of the table.

 

Once again, in reality there is nothing you can do to make others win or lose (longterm) and this is all based on superstition. But unfortunately, you will feel like the only sane person in a room of crazy people when this happens and I understand your wanting to not be in this position.

 

I agree with all of these however on a cruise ship with a small amount of seats if you are in the casino during the busy hours feel free to jump in at any time if you can find a seat. If the casino is empty and there is 1-2 people at the table I normally ask them, "do you mind if I jump in?" 90% of the time they say go right ahead.

[AndyTheK]

These days more and more shipboard casinos are using CSM (Continuous Shuffling Machines). There is no "shoe" and no "shuffling". So feel free to join any time you like. By the way there are some here who "hate" the CSM. Except for those very few advanced card counters, the only real effect they have is to allow more hands per hour to be dealt, increasing the house's average take per hour IN THE LONG RUN.

 

Shalom and good luck. Andy

[MrCo9]

Honestly, there is nothing you can do at a blackjack table to affect anyone else around you odds of winning or losing. Nothing. No matter what people say, no matter what they will write in this thread - it is all superstition and nothing based on math, probability, or odds.

Huh, WHAT??? If the dealer is showing a 6 and you hit your 14, get a 10 and the dealer shows a 10 and hits a 5 you made EVERYONE at the table LOSE rather than WIN. Now, it's just as likely that a rookie move will take the 5 and leave the dealer a 10. But what you do WILL affect everyone else at the table. Playing basic strategy will usually not tick off the other players.

 

Most casinos will allow you to use a basic strategy cheat sheet while you're at the table, as long as the sheet is smaller than the cards being used at the table.

 

Feel free to join in the middle of a shoe, no need to wait until the shoe is over, but it is proper etiquette to ask the other players if they mind you joining. On a choppy or losing table they will welcome you, if the dealer has been busting every hand, they may ask you to wait until the shuffle.

 

Use and learn the proper signals for "Hitting" Standing" "Double Downs" and "splits". If the cards are dealt face up, you're not supposed to touch the cards.

[MrCo9]

Forgot one other....

 

3. Ask the others at the table before you play a second hand midshoe.

If you're already seated and the casino allows it, there is no need to ask the other players, if you think it will change your luck for the better, do it.

[casinocompman]

Huh, WHAT??? If the dealer is showing a 6 and you hit your 14, get a 10 and the dealer shows a 10 and hits a 5 you made EVERYONE at the table LOSE rather than WIN. Now, it's just as likely that a rookie move will take the 5 and leave the dealer a 10. But what you do WILL affect everyone else at the table. Playing basic strategy will usually not tick off the other players.

 

.

 

You misread my post. I said "there is nothing you can do to affect the other players ODDS."

 

Whether you hit on 14 against a 6 or not does not affect the odds of other players at the table winning or losing. It affects them, but it does not affect them for the better or worse.

 

People get mad because they remember the times it affects them badly, and forget the times it saves them - but overall - if you have a bad player at the table - it has no affect on your longterm odds of winning or losing.

[AndyTheK]

People get mad because they remember the times it affects them badly, and forget the times it saves them - but overall - if you have a bad player at the table - it has no affect on your longterm odds of winning or losing.

I agree, especially with the phrase in red.

Shalom, Andy.

[MrCo9]

You misread my post. I said "there is nothing you can do to affect the other players ODDS."

 

Whether you hit on 14 against a 6 or not does not affect the odds of other players at the table winning or losing. It affects them, but it does not affect them for the better or worse.

 

People get mad because they remember the times it affects them badly, and forget the times it saves them - but overall - if you have a bad player at the table - it has no affect on your longterm odds of winning or losing.

I'll give you that, but the odds are determined over thousands or millions of hands. Over the 12 years that I have been dealing and supervising in Las Vegas casinos, most "good" players will get up and walk away the second time a newbie player hits their 14 and the dealer catches a good card to give them 1 17-21 that sweeps the chips off the table. They are not going to stick around long enough for the odds to even out.

 

Nothing will clear a table out quicker than a "Hunch player" whose timing is off.

[casinocompman]

I'll give you that, but the odds are determined over thousands or millions of hands. Over the 12 years that I have been dealing and supervising in Las Vegas casinos, most "good" players will get up and walk away the second time a newbie player hits their 14 and the dealer catches a good card to give them 1 17-21 that sweeps the chips off the table. They are not going to stick around long enough for the odds to even out.

 

Nothing will clear a table out quicker than a "Hunch player" whose timing is off.

 

Agree with you, most players are superstitious or subscribe to "luck".

 

Just trying to make the point to the original poster that from a purely mathematical standpoint, one persons play at a table cannot affect the odds of another player winning or losing.

 

But you are right...... if you hit a 16 vs a 6, you will be shot eyeball daggers and probably be playing alone very quickly.....

 

:)

[cs4225]

I'll give you that, but the odds are determined over thousands or millions of hands. Over the 12 years that I have been dealing and supervising in Las Vegas casinos, most "good" players will get up and walk away the second time a newbie player hits their 14 and the dealer catches a good card to give them 1 17-21 that sweeps the chips off the table. They are not going to stick around long enough for the odds to even out.

 

Nothing will clear a table out quicker than a "Hunch player" whose timing is off.

 

I consider myself a good blackjack player using the basic strategy and my version of "counting" and whenever I first sit at the table I will always play the minimum to see how the other players are playing. If everyone on the table plays the basic strategy then I will play my game. But if one person goes crazy trying to hit a 21 I will collect my chips and walk away. Many times I will make eye contact with the dealer and they understand why I'm leaving the table.

[robin13]

Just got off The Pearl and I have never seen so many bad blackjack players in my life. A lot of the players said that they were new to the game but did not listen to any of our basic strategy tips. I had one guy who split tens against the dealers 10. I asked him why he was doing that and he said "maybe I will get two aces". I then said there is no way and then the dealer gave him one ace. I held my breath and said if he got another one I would give him $10. Thankfully, he did not and the dealer had 20 (as they always do). He wound up losing one hand and winning the other. Everyone at the table gave this guy the evil eye and he left shortly after. Please if you are a new player and don't know what to do just ask your fellow players as they will gladly tell you.

[RANTHEMAN]

Playing basic strategy will usually not tick off the other players.

 

MrCo9....Actually I could care less if other players get ticked off and I could care less if they get up and leave.

I am there to win and while I hope you win,I have no obligation to worry about anyone else.

Now I have been playing this stupid game for some 40 years and I use what is called the "basic strategy" because I believe it gives ME the best chance of winning.

As you point out,a bonehead play is as likely to help as to hurt but the jerks who get so upset never remember the help so if they want to get up, let me pull out their chair.

 

A site called the Wizard of Odds did a simulation where 1st base always played perfectly and in one 3rd base also played perfectly and in the other 3rd base did everything wrong. While in the second simulation 3rd base did adversely effect 1st base,the difference was statistclly insignificant.

 

So I guess that is a long winded way to that on a hand by hand basis a poor player can effect you,but as you did point out,in the long run they don't. And I don't give a rat's patootie what other players think.

[MrCo9]

I like to play blackjack, but I do so very infrequently. The last time I played in a casino, I did something that annoyed someone at the table and made me feel very belittled. In order to try not to annoy anyone at the table, what tips can you give me?

 

Thanks,

Here is the very basics of "Basic Strategy" it does not tell you win to split or double down, but it will prevent you from making bonehead moves. All you have to do is remember 2 sets of numbers. 7-17 and 6-12. If the dealer is showing a 7 or higher card (7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or Ace) you hit until you have 17 or better. If the dealer is showing a 6 or less (2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) you stop once you have 12.

[grod19]

If the dealer is showing a 6 or less (2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) you stop once you have 12.

 

Unless it is soft

[GreySkies]

Unless what is soft? My 12?

[cb at sea]

Yes.

[kitty9]

What's the basic strategy for a dealer showing a 2? Some say it's a building hand for the dealer. So, if I have 12 through 16, do you always hit with the dealer showing a 2? Do you only hit a 12 through 14 or what?

[robin13]

2's are very deadly so I don't do too much against them. If I have a 12 -16 I stay, but I do know some people that hit a 12 against the dealers 2 (but stand on 13 and up). I once split 8's four times against a dealer's 2 and I lost every hand! I had almost $50 on the table and it was a really hard loss. Ever since then I watch what I do with the dealer showing a two.

[AndyTheK]

What's the basic strategy for a dealer showing a 2? Some say it's a building hand for the dealer. So, if I have 12 through 16, do you always hit with the dealer showing a 2? Do you only hit a 12 through 14 or what?

Kitty: The basic strategy for a shipboard rules game says to hit 12 against 2 or 3 (of course against 7 through ace), and stand against 4-5-6. If you have 13-16, stand against a 2 through 6.

 

One thing to remember is that following basic strategy does NOT mean you will win the hand; in some cases (like the "hit 12 against 3") you will lose less if you follow the strategy, rather than doing the opposite. When you have 12, your chances aren't very promising in any case, but you will lose LESS OFTEN if you hit against 2 or 3 than if you stand.

 

Another important thing is that the basic strategy tables are what the math says the probabilities are. To paraphrase one of the early Blackjack writers, Prof. Edward Thorpe, while you may see "reasons" for the actions, it is the math that's the deicing factor.

 

Good luck and Shalom, Andy.

[Casino Player]

I like to play blackjack, but I do so very infrequently. The last time I played in a casino, I did something that annoyed someone at the table and made me feel very belittled. In order to try not to annoy anyone at the table, what tips can you give me?

 

Thanks,

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO GreySkies: Don't care what anyone else does and/or says. If someone else gets annoyed over the way you play it is their problem and not yours. Every gambler has advice to give. Why take it? You only want to take advice from a winner.

[weloverunning]

Grey Skies: I ALWAYS bring my cheat sheet with me to the table. I have printed a lot of them over the years from Wizard of Odds. I laminate them and have often given copies to other people at the table. There have been many times when the dealer asks me "What does your card tell you to do" or other people at the table will ask me what it says to do. I always mess up on soft cards so I bring the help with me for reassurance.

I have seen people freak out when people play against statistics (splitting 10's etc.) They either pick up their chips and leave or continue to fume the entire time. Its ironic that it seems the more stupid some people play the more lucky they are. Therefore, they will never learn a lesson to play the statistics. I do not believe someone's bad play screws up the cards for everyone else. It may change that one hand or two, but after that you may win the next hand or two because of it. JUST ENJOY the comraderie of the table. You get to know people by playing with the same people night after night.:D

[GreySkies]

Can you post what your cheat sheet has on it? Thanks.