BlackJack Questions?
 

1. When you play, personally, blackjack.. Do you tend to play as a team to beat the dealer, or play for yourself?

2. When the cards are dealt, and the dealer has a 6. Do you wave off anything over an 11 (i.e. take no hits, or new cards if your card totals 11) in hopes that the deals busts, or do you take the hit?

3. When you tip out, do you flip em a $25/50 depending on your winnings? Or you just clip them a chip for whatever the minimum was. For example, $10.00 min/$500 max. You would flip em $10.00 tip?

When they deal you A/K... Go ALL-IN!!!!!

:error :error

well when you have a 11 I always double down

So instead of just waving off the additional cards? You do the double down?

Good thinking in that case. Especially if the rest of the table is crossing their toes for the dealer to bust, and are playing accordingly.

You play against the dealer.

I tip based on performance. If you lose, do they tip you when you leave?

Which is what I normally do. However, last night, the table seemed to have this strategy to play as a table to beat the dealer. Which is why I was asking if that was common.

Only myself, $400.00 per hand, and some Vietnamese lady managed to last at the table for 3 hours. I was playing $20-30 per hand. Mixing it up a bit when I would be up or down.

Many a college student came through and blew a few hundred dollar in book money. Others came through and blew a few hundred in 15-30 minutes.

I started with $100.00, was up to $450.00, and left with $300.00. I flipped him a tip for $25.00. The girl that was with me thought that was too big a tip. I thought it was fair since I hit blackjack like 7 times, he offered me all kinds of help through the game and what not.

I used to play BlackJack quite a bit until I was down about $4k in an hour after getting bad hand after bad hand after bad hand... Now I only play NL Holdem ;)

However when I was playing... the biggest advice I can give is immediately move away from tables where there are noob players... they will completely fuck up the cards... hitting when you shouldn't and changing you or the dealers cards on a continual basis...

1) I play as a team, that was always my favorite part of BlackJack, when you have a group of experienced players you can all profit...

2) It depends on the flow of cards... I usually stay but if the table is full and I've seen a lot of high cards come out already, I may take the hit...

3) Depends on how long I've been at the table and what my net is at the table. I tend to % based tip on say, a split, double down on one, hit blackjack on double down, etc... Bigger payouts and if I'm on a roll will get a bigger tip... Otherwise it's just a one chip tip :P

Always double down on 11, you can't bust and a 10 gives you blackjack. Odds of beating the dealer even on a strong hand are in your favor.

Yeah, the Vietnamese lady ended up losing her ass eventually (approx. $300+). She was also giving me advice, apparently so I would not fuck up her cards as I was in the middle of the table. So she started telling me when to stand, hit, or double down. I should say, she gave me her advice, because I did not always take it.

I noticed a pattern to the deal, especially when it came to face cards. Based on the way I play, and face cards, I would almost never bust, hold at 17/18/19 and win 75% of those situations. But, if I was getting hit with these 2/3/4/5 cards consistently as my first dealt card, I would lower my bets accordingly.

Once she took off, some smoker sat in her place to my left, and used car salesman that would never shut the fuck up with his token blond also joined the table so I only played a few more hands and cashed out.

I typically never gamble, at least in casinos or race tracks or even play the lotto. I have played at the conferences poker night, or some other similar occasion. So this was more a less a first.

I clean up at Texas Hold'em ;) Last time I was in Vegas for the MAGIC (big apparel show) I made about $800 a day profit after paying for food+hotel. That was at the 5/10 NL table... High stakes games were going on at the table next to me and the entire table was full of high rolling noobs... I wish I had a sponsor to back me to sit at that table! I could have paid for my house in cash with two nice pots ;)

I play for me to win. Unless the other players are going to give me a share of their winnings, then they can fuck off.

I hit up until I have 12, then stand.

I usually tip when I have a good win streak or if the dealer is nice. Sometimes they root for you and some times they will even help you out. All depends on what I have to be honest.

:thumbsup :thumbsup

I usually always play 2 hands... I will play small bets until I feel the table. I never tip the dealer... that shit is for suckers... the house takes it anyway.

its always better to play with others who play by the same rules/book.

yes, that is a dealer bust card. You never hit on that... unless single deck and you are able to count the cards having only high cards on the table

I don't have firm tipping rules. The dealer generally prefers you bet their tip for them. If its a good dealer I will play a 50% bet for him/her after i am up a while. I never tip when I am down or to an unfriendly dealer

Yeah, I saw that Mr $400.00 per hand was playing two, sometimes three hands at once. He even played a hand for the dealer a time or two. I was like fucking whoa.

At one point he was down to his last $400.00. However, he ended up leaving the table with either $2500.00 or 3500.00 when he cashed out. I do not know how much he started with since he had been playing before me.

For blackjack, it doesn't matter. Really, it doesn't.

Try this ... play at a table of experienced players and keep track of how often a dealer busts on 5 or 6 card. Then do the same thing at a table of inexperienced (or those who simply play their own way) players. Repeat several times. You'll find, in a large sample size, to be no difference.

On a related topic, playing only basic strategy, long term, is a losing proposition. Many casinos, in addition to the dealer's hit / stay suggestions, will provide basic strategy hint sheets to players may use when playing.

In contrast, NO casino I'm aware of, hands out hint sheets on card counting, since that could cost them money; in reality, most players attempting card counting will still lose money, but casinos know that a relatively small number of determined counters can cost a casino a lot of money due to the narrow statistical percentage spread in blackjack to begin with.

Ron

Some of the players I was with, apparently Vietnamese chick, and $400 a hand were both regulars. The dealer knew them, and they had all kinds of theories and angles to work the cards.

In $400 a hands case, I think he just played the law of averages. Especially when it came to playing 2-3 hands at a time. She did not do that the whole time. Just when he would get down or be on a losing streak.

Same with Vietnamese lady. She had all kinds of do this when this, and do that when that. But paying some attention to that way she played, she still lost her ass by the end of the night.

I do not mean to sounds rude of arrogant by any means since I am more a less clueless to the blackjack regular riddles and game, but I find it hard to listen to someone who is losing money on 'tips' and advice. But maybe that is just me.

About 30 years ago I was playing trumpet in Big Bands and one of my friends, Bill Zygot, taught me how to play Blackjack. Since that time I have NEVER lost at Casino BJ. He wrote a book about it and my publishing company published it and it is our best seller. You can read about it here: http://www.babcockpublishing.com/blackjack/index.htm

I know, some skeptics will say....Well, why aren't you sitting at a BJ table right now making money instead of spending time on GFY. Very simple...I have not, and will not, sell my soul to making money. I have many other things in life to do that are fullfilling other than sitting at a table making dough. I golf a LOT...did 54 holes yeaterday and that's astounding for a 72 year old. I shot a 88, 83, 79 back to back. Not many amateurs such as myself can do something like that....and I loved every minute of it. :)

BJ is a very simple game to beat, but don't sell your soul to it. I never count cards, could care less if lots of high/low cards have come out of the shoe, etc. Rule #1 in the book almost evens the odds and simple common sense along with a betting schedule turn the odds the house usually has in your favor. Just for speed in playing I also only play between 11pm to 6am. This usually gets all the Aunt Gertrude & Uncle Henry's out of the way that slows the game down.

It's a rather simple game where YOU can shift the odds in your favor. Slots are for losers and a guaranteed fixed win for the house. Don't play slots. Sure, you can be lucky some time, but I will guarantee if you set there for 100 years pumping money in a slot machine...YOU WILL LOSE IN THE LONG RUN. :(

Anyway, that's my :2 cents: on Blackjack.

piece to all :thumbsup

True dat :thumbsup

Its important ot know about progressive betting. For instance at a $10 table. if you win, add $10 to your bet. keep doing this till you lose. then start over. don't let your hand or emotions get into it. never "feel lucky" and bet more. be prepared to play a while and never come to the table with less than 10x your minimum bet. In theory you should be able to play at minimum 10 hands at minimum bet or you won't have the cash flow to survive this method. It's worked very well for me in the past.. I still play blackjack quite often and do pretty well. I've only not done well when playing with people who do not understand these simple rules and odds.

I hate playing with strangers for starters, but if the table is not using basic strategy I will leave.

Never hit 12+ if the dealer has 3-4-5-6. I will usually double down anything under 11 if the dealer is showing 5 or 6.

I usually do tip bets while playing rather than tipping the dealer upon cashing out. If I have extra small chips when cashing out (like a stack of greens and then a few reds) I'll tip the smaller chips because I like even numbers.

That was kinda my approach to start.

I played the first hour with minimum $10.00 bet. Then hit blackjack a few times, and was up around $150.00 playing my way (before all the advice). I then upped by bets to $20.00 per hand, and played like that for an hour or so. Every time I would win, regardless of winnings, I would pull the extra off, and do the same $20.00 bet. I did this until I was up $350.00 (taking out my $100.00 initial investment).

Then I did some experimental betting in my 3rd hour. Listened to more of the advise, and would do some double down, and whatever else as we played along. This was mixed results as I was knocked back to being up maybe $100-150.00.

I would lose a few hands, typically when I was getting hit with these 2/3/4/5 repeatedly. Then once they reshuffled the deck and the paints started again, I upped the bets back to $30-40 per hand. I made back my lost cash until I was back up $200+. Then smokey and used car salesmen showed up and I took off.

Still, was fun and make a couple of hundred bucks. Not too shabby.

Good feedback. Nice and simple strategy.
:thumbsup

I always tip the dealer!!!!!!!!! It brings me good LUCK:thumbsup

:thumbsup

Just forget about it. You will always lose in the long run, no matter what.

:Oh crap

But it's fun :2 cents:

Focussing on the "strategy" and "luck" elements of it makes it even more fun for me.

Same here.

:thumbsup

Sharky's correct about progressive betting. Ron Bennett's correct about players "messing up the cards" and basic strategy. Here are the important things to know:

1) Know basic strategy and I mean KNOW it. Can be learned anywhere and memorized easily. If you can't memorize it, don't play it.

2) Don't deviate from above, don't play hunches. The only playable hunch is one that comes from counting cards, which means it isn't really a hunch, it's numbers and probability.

3) ALWAYS double down on less than 11 with a 5-6 showing, even if you're holding crap and end up getting crap. Odds are with you.

4) Ignore what other people at the table are doing, unless you count cards. They can just as easily turn the cards in your favor with their stupid plays as they can turn them away from your favor. Getting caught up in it only distracts the mind.

5) Tipping cannot buy you luck, there is no such thing as luck, only circumstance. The only advantage you can get from tipping will be with a crooked dealer, and playing with a crooked dealer can get you caught in someone else's net.

6) Tip based on the experience you had with the dealer. If you're a winner but the dealer was an asshole sourpuss who seems pissed that you won, should you tip them?

7) Never forget that the house always has the advantage, with only few small slivers of opportunity in your favor. In general, when gambling, you are not betting against the house, you are betting against YOURSELF.

Rule #7 is why I don't gamble. :)

Edited to add: Special note to tourists visiting Las Vegas: The above rules do not apply to you. Luck is a lady and she will be with you. Fortunes can and will be made by you and your fellow travelers, gamble freely!!! ;)

It is fun, I won't deny it.


But only when you have good self-control, don't expect to make a regular side income from it and consider the money you blow on it as "entertainment expenses".

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh

Obviously! Does anyone think any different? I hope not :Oh crap

good advice right here another bit ALWAYS split 8s

More than you imagine. :Oh crap

Other people at the table make ZERO difference to your hand. It doesnt matter if you're playing with 4 others who play everything exactly by the book or 4 frat boys that double down on 12 with a dealer 6 showing. It's all based on mathmatics. The only thing the other players affect is their own hand.

Progressive betting also doesnt do jack besides make it fun. Again all about mathmatics. You have the same % chance to win the hand before its dealt, whether or not your playing $5 or 5X your original wager. (unless of course your counting cards and basing your multiple by the number).

Unless you are counting cards you will lose roughly 1.5% (if you play perfectly) in the long run. The math doesnt lie. Progressive betting is just another form of the Martingale theory which busts all players eventually.

You gamble in your business. Even if calculated risks.

Gotta love absolutism.
:)

Indeed. Which is what all the gambling shows on BlackJack have shown.

However, it is also about having some fun. For me anyway. Especially when I am up.

Eh, F U. You know what I mean. :1orglaugh

"Rule #7 is why I don't gamble in casinos. I only gamble ON myself rather than AGAINST myself."

That better, toots?

:thumbsup