Melissa at Mohair Meadows Posted March 31, 2015 #1 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Just returned from a fabulous Equinox 11 night cruise. I have one minor grievance - not caused by Celebrity but by a fellow cruiser. I play Blackjack. I have for many years. I usually win - not a lot but enough to make it cheap entertainment. I enjoy playing at full tables as the fun is enhanced with a good group. One night as I sat down to a table, another player got up and proceeded to lecture me on my gameplay. After lambasting me in front of everyone, he picked up his chips and left. His gripe was that I had called for a card when I had 14 and the dealer had a 6 showing. I know that some people will never ask for a card in this instance - I, on the otherhand, sometimes will. I don't think it was his place to correct me. (I lost that particular hand, but it oould go either way). I ended the cruise on the plus side. But I thought his actions rude and discourteous. Melissa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted March 31, 2015 #2 Share Posted March 31, 2015 People who get upset when somebody doesn't play blackjack "right" are not only rude, but are not the brightest - someone taking a card when technically they shouldn't (if playing purely by the best odds) is equally likely to have a positive impact on others at the table as it is to have a negative impact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsb Posted March 31, 2015 #3 Share Posted March 31, 2015 [. His gripe was that I had called for a card when I had 14 and the dealer had a 6 showing. You might want to learn the basic strategy--it's just mathematics. Many serious knowledgeable players would leave the table, though none should publicly get on you for your "against the book" play. take a look at Wizard of Odds if you'd like to give yourself a fighting chance in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsfamily Posted March 31, 2015 #4 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I play a good bit, usually play by the odds. BUT I always play MY cards, as should you. He was an idiot.... Most likely was on a downward slide and had to take his losses out on someone other than himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltingdiva Posted March 31, 2015 #5 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I haven't had this happen in Vegas, but I have seen players give other players advice in the smaller casinos in other places. No matter where it happens, though, there is an understood "rule" that blackjack is an individual game and NO Player gives anyone advice unless it is asked for. In Vegas, I have seen dealers help a novice player, but that's it. If that gentlemen wants a game with lots of talking, he should be like my husband and play craps. You were very polite. In Vegas, security would have appeared and watched quietly to see if they needed to step in at some point. In your shoes, I would have just sat there, dumb-founded, and then 4 hours later I would have thought of a great comeback. As usual, too late! And what he didn't know is that you may have figured out that the shoe was light in tens, so it was wise to hit a 14 with a 6.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Bell Posted March 31, 2015 #6 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Although he should never have "lambasted" you, he was right. That's a terrible play. It's all odds folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterflymama Posted March 31, 2015 #7 Share Posted March 31, 2015 This is why I've never played blackjack at a casino. Casino night at the knights of columbus doesn't count ;) Years ago, my MIL was teaching me to play. When I kept taking cards when I wasn't "supposed" to, she said you cant do that. I said, "but they are my cards and I can play how I want". She said "Don't ever try that at a casino. By taking a card, you mess up the entire shoe(?) and people will get up and leave. They may even have a few words to say" I guess this guy has the same thoughts.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution Posted March 31, 2015 #8 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Odds are odds. Even 1% chance of getting the right card, you still have that chance. There are people who like to complain about anything. So, just be yourself, and enjoy the game. That's the most important part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Gizmo Posted March 31, 2015 #9 Share Posted March 31, 2015 The book says don't hit at that point. It's against the odds. But that's why they call it GAMBLING. If this person didn't like playing with amateurs he should be at a table for $50 or more. That weeds out us that play for fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa at Mohair Meadows Posted March 31, 2015 Author #10 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I've read the book, and know the odds and what I'm 'supposed' to do. However, it is still my choice if I want to push the odds. It is more fun to win against the odds - at least for me. I don't agree that it would ruin the shoe. It may ruin my game, but no-one knows what the next card will be. It could be a face card or a 2. Yes, we want the dealer to go over - but what I do may or may not affect that at all. I agree - he should play at the $50 Table. I stick with the $5 and $10 tables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace58 Posted March 31, 2015 #11 Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) Some people believe that everyone has the God given right to their opinion. :rolleyes: You should see the looks I get at the Craps table when I play the Don't Pass line while I am rolling. Edited March 31, 2015 by mpace58 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larainerenee Posted March 31, 2015 #12 Share Posted March 31, 2015 WOW - that is just awful. He should have been in Vegas if he was that serious. This is a vacation!!! Chill.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Bell Posted March 31, 2015 #13 Share Posted March 31, 2015 The book says don't hit at that point. It's against the odds. But that's why they call it GAMBLING. If this person didn't like playing with amateurs he should be at a table for $50 or more. That weeds out us that play for fun. That's all well and good but when you're on a ship there aren't many tables to choose from and you have the same people in a closed environment for a long period of time. Casino courtesy works both ways. It's not nice to criticize others and it's also not nice to play a game that can affect other people adversely if you don't know how to play. Most people who are learning will ask what the right play is and the dealer or experienced players will answer. Of course there's no guarantee that playing correctly means you will win but you certainly have a better chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Bell Posted March 31, 2015 #14 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I've read the book, and know the odds and what I'm 'supposed' to do. However, it is still my choice if I want to push the odds. It is more fun to win against the odds - at least for me. I don't agree that it would ruin the shoe. It may ruin my game, but no-one knows what the next card will be. It could be a face card or a 2. Yes, we want the dealer to go over - but what I do may or may not affect that at all. I agree - he should play at the $50 Table. I stick with the $5 and $10 tables. I can see why the man was frustrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DinaS Posted March 31, 2015 #15 Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) That's all well and good but when you're on a ship there aren't many tables to choose from and you have the same people in a closed environment for a long period of time. Casino courtesy works both ways. It's not nice to criticize others and it's also not nice to play a game that can affect other people adversely if you don't know how to play. Most people who are learning will ask what the right play is and the dealer or experienced players will answer. Of course there's no guarantee that playing correctly means you will win but you certainly have a better chance. So if you want to hit at 14 (for whatever reason - perhaps the last 5 cards dealt were all face cards, or perhaps you just had a "feeling"), you shouldn't play? That's the most absurd thing I have ever heard. It's gambling. Of course you can play with the odds, but it's GAMBLING. There is no law in the casino that you have to stand on 14, or you will be breaking the law. If this person had taken a hit on 14, and then the "other" gambler won because of that card being dealt, things may have ended a bit differently. It's gambling. I don't normally gamble, but if there are $5 tables, I absolutely will play Blackjack. And I will generally play the odds, but if I have a "feeling", or if there are 5 face cards dealt just before my hand, and I have a 14 (and the dealer has a 6, for example), I will likely hit. Either the next person will benefit from my not playing the odds, or they won't. That is why it is called GAMBLING. Edited March 31, 2015 by DinaS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterflymama Posted March 31, 2015 #16 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I've read the book, and know the odds and what I'm 'supposed' to do. However, it is still my choice if I want to push the odds. It is more fun to win against the odds - at least for me. I don't agree that it would ruin the shoe. It may ruin my game, but no-one knows what the next card will be. It could be a face card or a 2. Yes, we want the dealer to go over - but what I do may or may not affect that at all. I agree - he should play at the $50 Table. I stick with the $5 and $10 tables. I am not saying I agree with the logic but MIL would say.... "it ruins the shoe because players are not getting the card intended for them. You took the card intended for the next player." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted March 31, 2015 #17 Share Posted March 31, 2015 This thread is certainly giving me some enlightenment as to why I see so much "bad" play at the blackjack tables. The bottom line though is that you can make odds perfect play every hand and still walk away a loser. By the same token I've seen people sit there and make what I would consider stupid play and win big. Most of the time these people are beginners and just get lucky. Most of those that think they have a system or play based on feelings are just helping the casino's bottom line. But we all pretty much are. I agree that people have the right to play their money anyway they want. I also have the right to get up and play somewhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CathyCruises Posted March 31, 2015 #18 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I would have left the table quietly, without making any comment, if you had played that way on multiple hands. I'd give you the benefit of the doubt on a hand or two, but more than that and I'm looking for a different table. Having said that, the other player was extremely rude and out of line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen of Oakville Posted March 31, 2015 #19 Share Posted March 31, 2015 May I ask what the minimum bet was at this table? I might have overlooked it if you did it once. If you did it twice, I would have up and left. I would not have lambasted you. To give you a lecture was rude on his part. If you want to "push the odds" you are best to sit at a table by yourself. Because most people are playing the odds or following the book, which calls for you to stand on the hand you describe. Your 14 is believe to be a winning hand against the dealer six. You don't want to draw the 10's because you want the dealer to draw 16 and then 26. The dealer could easily draw a 10 and then a 5 - it happens, we've all seen it. I'm not an EXPERT but before I sit down, I always watch a table to make sure I like the way that people are playing, and if i don't, I will wait and watch or find another table. There are times when I'm unsure because it is a bet that could go either way and the dealer has a 3. I'll often look to who has the most money on the table and ask what they want me to do. most will say "your call - play your cards" but it is good courtesy. Blackjack is not a "team" effort because you are all playing with your own money, but you really are playing as a team to all beat the dealer. The goal is for everyone to play smart as a team and all beat the dealer as much as possible,. When I was on reflection, we were sailing with the world's worst gambler. She would make the most ridiculous of moves. It got to the point where no one wanted to play with her. She could clear out a table in minutes. When the day comes that I sit down and everyone else get's up ... it's time for me to stop gambling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DinaS Posted March 31, 2015 #20 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I would have left the table quietly, without making any comment, if you had played that way on multiple hands. I'd give you the benefit of the doubt on a hand or two, but more than that and I'm looking for a different table. Having said that, the other player was extremely rude and out of line. That would be fine. If someone wants to leave a table because they don't like the way another person is playing - it is their prerogative. I agree that rudeness is NEVER acceptable - no matter how "wrong" someone may be playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Bell Posted March 31, 2015 #21 Share Posted March 31, 2015 So if you want to hit at 14 (for whatever reason - perhaps the last 5 cards dealt were all face cards, or perhaps you just had a "feeling"), you shouldn't play? That's the most absurd thing I have ever heard. It's gambling. Of course you can play with the odds, but it's GAMBLING. There is no law in the casino that you have to stand on 14, or you will be breaking the law. If this person had taken a hit on 14, and then the "other" gambler won because of that card being dealt, things may have ended a bit differently. It's gambling. I don't normally gamble, but if there are $5 tables, I absolutely will play Blackjack. And I will generally play the odds, but if I have a "feeling", or if there are 5 face cards dealt just before my hand, and I have a 14 (and the dealer has a 6, for example), I will likely hit. Either the next person will benefit from my not playing the odds, or they won't. That is why it is called GAMBLING. It's your right to play however you like. There are all kinds of examples of what you think might happen. I'm just telling you that if you play by the book all the time you are more likely to win. It's not rocket science, it's math and odds. There's nothing absurd about what I said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Bell Posted March 31, 2015 #22 Share Posted March 31, 2015 This thread is certainly giving me some enlightenment as to why I see so much "bad" play at the blackjack tables. The bottom line though is that you can make odds perfect play every hand and still walk away a loser. By the same token I've seen people sit there and make what I would consider stupid play and win big. Most of the time these people are beginners and just get lucky. Most of those that think they have a system or play based on feelings are just helping the casino's bottom line. But we all pretty much are. I agree that people have the right to play their money anyway they want. I also have the right to get up and play somewhere else. Amen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go noles Posted March 31, 2015 #23 Share Posted March 31, 2015 First, I find it somewhat hard to believe you usually win if you make a habit of hitting a 14 against a 6. On the other hand, as mentioned above you taking a card "when you are not supposed to" has just as much chance of helping the disgruntled player as hurting. Players remember when a bad call costs them but never remember when a bad call helps them (and it does). Finally, they are your cards and your money. Hell, you can split tens if you want to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CathyCruises Posted March 31, 2015 #24 Share Posted March 31, 2015 :eek: First, I find it somewhat hard to believe you usually win if you make a habit of hitting a 14 against a 6. On the other hand, as mentioned above you taking a card "when you are not supposed to" has just as much chance of helping the disgruntled player as hurting. Players remember when a bad call costs them but never remember when a bad call helps them (and it does). Finally, they are your cards and your money. Hell, you can split tens if you want to! :eek::eek::eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen of Oakville Posted March 31, 2015 #25 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I think we were all posting at the same time, and my post got lost on page 1 ... but Cathy Cruises, Ma Bell and Orv .... I'd be happy to sit and gamble with you any time. I should be taking notes of people posting on this thread in case our paths cross on a cruise meet for a future sailing :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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