Originally Posted by mikesouth (Post 16318232)

good advice right here another bit ALWAYS split 8s

Originally Posted by DonovanTrent (Post 16318386)

And believe me, I never would've made that split had anyone else been at the table. Not because I'd have given a shit about their hand, but because I wouldn't want to listen to their endless stream of bullshit about me "messing up their cards."

Originally Posted by DonovanTrent (Post 16318136)

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.

Originally Posted by DonovanTrent (Post 16318386)

You'd think a fire alarm went off in the place, they called a pitboss over and they wanted to give me the third degree. I was like, "it's my money, I wanna split those 10s." They let me, I got an 8 and a 5, dealer hole card was a 2, dealer pulls 2 small cards and then a 10. Dealer busts, I win both hands.

Originally Posted by ron bennett (Post 16318639)

on an aside, once at vegas, at a higher limit table, i accidently stayed on 9 and still won! Needless to say, the other couple of players at the table, who all bust, weren't happy and promptly left.

Ron

Originally Posted by DonovanTrent (Post 16318136)

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!!! ;)

Originally Posted by Barefootsies (Post 16317211)

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?

Originally Posted by After Shock Media (Post 16319120)

I still am amazed people get all upset or pissed about newbies or players playing wrong and changing your cards. That shit always made no sense to me at all. They just notice a card they could of had and get all pissed.

Problem is the cards would move for many other reasons besides newbie play. Adding another player would technically mess with your cards, someone splitting messes with your cards, hell all play beyond taking the two mandatory cards your dealt mess with other peoples cards.

Originally Posted by Barefootsies (Post 16317211)

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?

Originally Posted by DonovanTrent (Post 16319718)

It's called superstition, gamblers tend to be big on it. Walk around the casinos in town here, you'll see grown adults with an array of miscellaneous mojo trinkets out in front of them or wearing two different colored socks or tapping on slot machines before/after hitting the button, all kinds of funny BS.

Here's what it all comes down to, people, and this is from the horse's mouth, Steve Wynn: The way to make money in a casino is to OWN it.

Originally Posted by nation-x (Post 16317473)

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.

Originally Posted by Barefootsies (Post 16320360)

Kinda funny to me. All these people believing in the great joe-boo and shit.
:1orglaugh

Originally Posted by fuzebox (Post 16321380)

I like doubling down on a 12 and watching the pit boss go ballistic.