Blackjack Blackjack 101: Table Selection

Foods for Thought: Many experienced or half-baked blackjack players believe that there is only one correct way to play a hand, that is according to what they think is right. Some would even curse at any players at the table who play differently and caused them to lose their hands as a result. If you run into those characters and you wish them to leave the table when the the shoe or the true count is getting into a slightly positive territory -- say, only +1 or less -- you may consider playing differently -- regardless of the quality of their advice. If, by luck, you win but they all lose because of your unconventional play, they may become so mad and leave the the table while throwing insults at your "selfish" play. Even if you also lose, that won't be too bad since you must still be betting close to your minimum when the true count is less than +1.

 

Some of the play deviations may serve the purpose of pissing off all others at the table fast without doing much injuries to your bankroll. Some deviations may even help you win more money in the long run. Below are among Moraine's selections:
1. Hit 12 vs. 4 at negative true counts (when you should be betting only the minimum)
2. Hit 13 vs. 2 at negative true counts (when you should be betting only the minimum)
3. Hit 6-6 vs. 2 at negative true counts (when you should be betting only the minimum)
4. Double down A-8 vs. 5 (for less if desired)
5. Double down A-8 vs. 6 (for less if desired)

 

Moraine writes; Any ideas on how to turn a "full table" into a "one-on-one" table when you so wish?

Tater says: Um, rat out other AP's? Seems to be the KJ way.

 

This is common human/ploppy behavior: People tend to blame others for their loss. If you hit on 12 vs. 4 or 13 vs. 2, and if others at the table lost as a result because of your drawing a critical card from the dealer, ploppy/basic strategy players will start complaining about your unorthodox plays. Their belittling of your plays will become more intense if they also notice that you were betting only an insignificant amount in comparison with their bets. (Card counters always bet only a small amount at the beginning of a shoe.) Also, they may complain about your erratic hitting or standing strategy for identical hands.

But every card counter knows that a "good shoe" is possible only when more small cards than big cards are drawn at the beginning of the shoe. During that time, the chances are that dealer will likely to be able to draw many small cards to make a hand no matter what you or everyone else have been doing.

If you see a "good shoe" is in the making, you should keep on doing what had irked all those "play by the book" ploppy/basic strategy players. Rub it in with a smirk on your face. All players can complain to their hearts' content, but you only hope that they will all leave the No-Mid Shoe-Entry table to you alone.

 

This is common human/ploppy behavior: People tend to blame others for their loss. If you hit on 12 vs. 4 or 13 vs. 2, and if others at the table lost as a result because of your drawing a critical card from the dealer, ploppies will start complaining about your unorthodox plays. Their belittling of your plays will become more intense if they also notice that you were betting only an insignificant amount in comparison with their bets. (Card counters always bet only a small amount at the beginning of a shoe.) Also, they may complain about your erratic hitting or standing strategy for identical hands.

But every card counter knows that a "good shoe" is possible only when more small cards than big cards are drawn at the beginning of the shoe. During that time, the chances are that dealer will likely to be able to draw many small cards to make a hand no matter what you or everyone else have been doing.

If you see a "good shoe" is in the making, you should keep on doing what had irked all those "play by the book" ploppy/basic strategy players. Rub it in with a smirk on your face. All players can complain to their hearts' content, but you only hope that they will all leave the No-Mid Shoe-Entry table to you alone.

 

No meter what you do stay away from Bovada Casino games, they are rigged

 

Questions to card counters:

Two blackjack tables with identical rules, excepts for the the number of decks used.
Table 1 -- 8-deck shoe, with 2-deck cut off, and has only 1 open seat left.
Table 2 -- 6-deck shoe, with 1.5 deck cut off, and has also only 1 open seat left.
Which table do you prefer?

 

Neither!

 

I agree that the best choice could simply be don’t play at any those 6 or 8-deck tables with 25% cut off. But if a card counter still decides to play, an 8-deck shoe with 2-deck cut off may be better than a 6-deck with 1.5-deck cut off AT FULL TABLE.


This is the thought: High count seldom comes to shoe games, but once it comes, it may stay there for a long time, with an 8-deck shoe lasting longer than a 6-deck shoe, giving card counters many more rounds of meaningful betting opportunities. At FULL TABLE, this is particularly true.