Blackjack/Casino Question

[OceanBull]

I want to play but blackjack but I really have no experience. I understand the game in general but I don't know when to hit or stay relative to the dealer's hand. I played years ago on a casino cruise out of Port Canaveral and the other players would get mad if I took "their card" or took the dealer's bust card. Of course I asked one irate man why he was sitting at the dollar table with me and not at the five dollar table if he was such a great player. Anyway, I have found a "cheat sheet" which tells me when hit, stay, split, and double down. Does anybody know if I would be able to use it or would that be a form of cheating? I don't think it is actually cheating but I can where they might object to its use.

[scperk]

Yes you can use those on cruise ships, I think they even pass them out...I had a guy sitting next to me one cruise trying to tell me how to play...I told him to give me some of his chips and he could tell me how to play if I was using his money...Most of the time the dealers will give you helpful hints but you have to play to learn how...Dennis

[gsu_paintballer]

I want to play but blackjack but I really have no experience. I understand the game in general but I don't know when to hit or stay relative to the dealer's hand. I played years ago on a casino cruise out of Port Canaveral and the other players would get mad if I took "their card" or took the dealer's bust card. Of course I asked one irate man why he was sitting at the dollar table with me and not at the five dollar table if he was such a great player. Anyway, I have found a "cheat sheet" which tells me when hit, stay, split, and double down. Does anybody know if I would be able to use it or would that be a form of cheating? I don't think it is actually cheating but I can where they might object to its use.

 

Yes you can use it. Carnival casinos are MUCH more lax than land-based ones in my experience.

 

(FWIW, you could use it in a land-based one too)

[mondello]

There are lots of books on blackjack strategy, check your local library.

[cruiserguy11]

Google "How to play Blackjack."

[yogimax]

There are also many internet game sites where you can practice your game

[Relax@Sea]

I want to play but blackjack but I really have no experience. I understand the game in general but I don't know when to hit or stay relative to the dealer's hand. I played years ago on a casino cruise out of Port Canaveral and the other players would get mad if I took "their card" or took the dealer's bust card. Of course I asked one irate man why he was sitting at the dollar table with me and not at the five dollar table if he was such a great player. Anyway, I have found a "cheat sheet" which tells me when hit, stay, split, and double down. Does anybody know if I would be able to use it or would that be a form of cheating? I don't think it is actually cheating but I can where they might object to its use.

 

Someone who know how to play Blackjack will usually try to help you because they know it helps the table, most people do not realize that it takes all the players to get the advantage over the dealer, and if there is a player that is not playing well they will either bet low and wait for them to lose there money or will leave the table.

So don't worry about how you play knowledge requires its compensation and good players have paid the price and know when to leave.

[Razor_Poke]

Carnival has some strange games including fun 21 and face up blackjack. My advice is stay away from those games and stick with regular blackjack. Also, if you happen to be on a ship with the electronic table, avoid it too. I'm convinced the odds are stacked against the player although they tell you that it's a constant shuffle 8 deck virtual shoe.

 

The lowest minimums I've seen lately are a very odd $6.00. I think this is to encourage betting on the side games and to get generous with the tips.

 

Practice on blackjackinfodotcom. You can set up the number of decks (use 6 or 8) and some other rules. It will warn you if you are doing something wrong.

 

Experts say that idiots at a table help as much as they hurt. I personally have always won the most and had the most fun with smart players.

 

If you don't take the basic strategy cards with you, at the least remember these 2 very basic rules.

 

1. Assume the dealer has a 10.

2. Assume you and the dealer will draw 10's.

 

The hardest combinations are those with one ace. It's tempting to stay on soft 17's and 18's but it's not always the correct play depending on the dealers up card. Learn what to do and you'll be fine.

 

FWIW, it seems that cruise ships attract a lot of first time players to their tables. If you can afford the $10 or $25 tables, you will likely be playing with better tablemates or even alone.

[SadieN]

The best rule to know is--

If the dealer is showing a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 and you have a 12 or above DO NOT HIT. The dealer is forced to take the hit and odds are s/he will be dealt a high card.

But if you want to clear a table bet the opposite of this then you can play just you and the dealer.:D

 

Taught DDtheYounger how to play casino BJ last Carnival cruise. She started out as the only one at the table, when she left there were 6. When anyone joined we explained that I was teaching her strategy. At one point she had a crowd cheering her on. She left the table $100 up, $70 for the weekend. Better than her teacher.:mad:

 

Play some BJ games on the internet. Pogo has a decent one. I also have apps on the iphone and kindle. They will give you hints as to what to do.

[Almost Packed]

just stay out of the last chair...meaning the chair on the dealer's far right....then no one will get mad at you...well...maybe, but it will help your chances.

 

remember, you are only playing the dealer, no one else. BJ is a very simple card. certain "strategy rules" apply.

 

Assume the down card of dealer is a 10 or face-always assume this. if dealer has a bust card 2-6 showing even if you have a 12, you don't need/want to take a card. The dealer showing a 2 is a tricky one...but i usually will not take a hit. Don't take a hit if you could bust yourself in this case!

 

Don't split a winning hand-meaning never split two tens/faces.

 

If dealer is showing a 7 8 9 10 face and you have 16, assume you have lost already and take a hit. You must assume dealer's face down card is a 10 value and already has you beat.

 

I will not double down when dealer has a 10 or face card showing.

 

Of course there will be times when the dealer doesn't bust even though he/she is showing a bust card. just like there are times when he/she doesn't have a 10 value card...but the odds are it will happen more so than not. Stick with the odds. it's your best bet for playing in the casino.

 

Good luck...and of course, most important advice, get up when you are ahead, don't risk more than you can afford to lose.

[AngAndBoys]

I am of the school of thought that the people playing "wrong" don't hurt anything as long as they play consistently wrong. :D I never get mad, but I will try to help if its accepted by the person who doesn't know how to play. Some of the worst screw ups I've seen have been by card counters. THEY are irritating with their antics. You newbies are just cute.

 

Anyway, the casino offers gaming lessons on the first night or the first sea day, look for it in the fun times. The dealer will also help you, as will the more experienced players. Have fun and win money!

[Sargent_Schultz]

The dealer gets no percentage of the house winnings. Most will be willing to help a player make a correct decision (based on statistics).

[yogimax]

Simple fact... poor play or great play has absolutely no statististical impact on the results of others.

 

I say "statistical" because in the long run it makes no difference. Sure, on one single hand what the person sitting before you does may impact your results. But the impact can be equally positive or negative and over the course of hundreds of hands it all evens out.

 

Not quite sure why people don't understand this though. I guess it is because of human nature.

[tommycanuck]

What are the rules in their regular blackjack game? Stand on soft 17's?, double on any two cards?, double after split? etc. Thanks.

[mandis]

I had only played online before I cruised. Then sat at a black jack table guessing most of the time and doubling at the suggestions of table mates and was up almost $300 in an hour. Of course I lost it back within a couple hours but it was fun.

[joie1016]

If you can learn "basic stratagy" it will help your play. The person on the end has the best opportunity to make the dealer bust. That's the seat my husband takes . Best seat at the table as long as you know how to play. Many players have tipped him !

[Herfnerd]

Simple fact... poor play or great play has absolutely no statististical impact on the results of others.

 

I say "statistical" because in the long run it makes no difference. Sure, on one single hand what the person sitting before you does may impact your results. But the impact can be equally positive or negative and over the course of hundreds of hands it all evens out.

 

Not quite sure why people don't understand this though. I guess it is because of human nature.

 

If you can learn "basic stratagy" it will help your play. The person on the end has the best opportunity to make the dealer bust. That's the seat my husband takes . Best seat at the table as long as you know how to play. Many players have tipped him !

 

What Yogi and joie said - learn basic BJ strategy.

 

As to the pp that said to avoid Fun 21 - I disagree. Its a fun game!

[golfadj]

There are also many internet game sites where you can practice your game

 

That is what I have been doing. Surprised as to how often I was not playing correctly.

[yogimax]

That is what I have been doing. Surprised as to how often I was not playing correctly.

 

I know.

 

One is when you see that there are many situations where you should stand when you are showing a 12 or 13. Most folks would automatically hit, but that would be the wrong play.

[YubaSutter]

The best rule to know is--

If the dealer is showing a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 and you have a 12 or above DO NOT HIT. The dealer is forced to take the hit and odds are s/he will be dealt a high card.

But if you want to clear a table bet the opposite of this then you can play just you and the dealer.:D

 

Taught DDtheYounger how to play casino BJ last Carnival cruise. She started out as the only one at the table, when she left there were 6. When anyone joined we explained that I was teaching her strategy. At one point she had a crowd cheering her on. She left the table $100 up, $70 for the weekend. Better than her teacher.:mad:

 

Play some BJ games on the internet. Pogo has a decent one. I also have apps on the iphone and kindle. They will give you hints as to what to do.

Basic blackjack states you hit on a 12 if the dealer shows a 2 or 3. A 12 against a dealer 2 is also called "the dealers ace".

[golfadj]

I know.

 

One is when you see that there are many situations where you should stand when you are showing a 12 or 13. Most folks would automatically hit, but that would be the wrong play.

 

Still did lousy though on our last cruise for the BJ tourney even though I improved substantially in my play.

[jakesnana]

What are the rules in their regular blackjack game? Stand on soft 17's?, double on any two cards?, double after split? etc. Thanks.

 

The dealer must hit a soft 17, you can double down any two cards, and you can double down after splitting, you can split a pair up to a maximum of 4 times, if you split aces you only get one card each.

 

To the OP, I spend a considerable amount of my time in the casino on a cruise, as a result I am often playing with new players. I usually ask them if they would like advice. If they say yes, I will help them. If they say no, I sit back and watch them drown (usually). What I always tell someone that I am advising is "I will not advise you make a move that I would not make myself, you may not always win, but it is the correct move".

 

If you're going to use the cheat sheet, sit in either the 4th or 5th seat, if it's available. That will give you time to see your hand and figure out your move, before the dealer gets to you. If you sit in the 1st or second seat, you may hold up the table while you figure out your move.

[kmc500]

Assume the down card of dealer is a 10 or face-always assume this. if dealer has a bust card 2-6 showing even if you have a 12, you don't need/want to take a card.

 

Solid basic strategy says take a hit when you have a 12 against a dealer 2 or 3.

 

Kevin C

[kmc500]

The dealer gets no percentage of the house winnings. Most will be willing to help a player make a correct decision (based on statistics).

 

I agree. I also am amazed, even in Las Vegas, at the BJ dealers who don't know basic strategy, and still try to 'help'.

 

Kevin C

[Relax@Sea]

Basic blackjack states you hit on a 12 if the dealer shows a 2 or 3. A 12 against a dealer 2 is also called "the dealers ace".

 

I also heard it called a devils hand.