Blackjack Rules and Shuffling

A truly experienced card player would not be superstitious and realize that the cards that either the dealer or player gets when the take a hit are always random draws and independent of whether or not other players correctly or "wrongly" take their own hits or splits. Those that get upset by poor up-table play have zero understanding of the underlying mathematical probabilities of the game.

Exactly totally 100% TRUE, and one of the single most frustratingly difficult concepts to get across to inexperienced, or superstitious (or both) BJ players.

A truly experienced card player would not be superstitious and realize that the cards that either the dealer or player gets when the take a hit are always random draws and independent of whether or not other players correctly or "wrongly" take their own hits or splits. Those that get upset by poor up-table play have zero understanding of the underlying mathematical probabilities of the game.

I agree but "mathematical probabilities" even out over time. A player will notice if he loses several hands in a short time period that he otherwise would have won had the player uptable not made wrong calls. I've witnessed some fairly nasty exchanges.

My only reaction to poor players isn't how they affect my hand but a sense of pity that they are just giving away their money when they don't have to.

Exactly totally 100% TRUE, and one of the single most frustratingly difficult concepts to get across to inexperienced, or superstitious (or both) BJ players.

I agree. Knowledge of the game is all important. Newbies are in the learning process. I might win or lose. That's why they call it gambling.

Casinos love the newbies. What ever keeps the tables full and the slots spinning to add to their "vig" cut.

After all, they are in business to profit. Our method of play is to turn the odds in our favor as much as we can. Still iffy huh?

A truly experienced card player would not be superstitious and realize that the cards that either the dealer or player gets when the take a hit are always random draws and independent of whether or not other players correctly or "wrongly" take their own hits or splits. Those that get upset by poor up-table play have zero understanding of the underlying mathematical probabilities of the game.

The same holds in the situation when you walk into a shop to buy a lottery ticket and someone in front of you mistakenly orders a ticket when he wanted cigarrettes, and wins a million, "your million". I can see how that upsets people (a bit). The opposite, which happens just as many times, strangely never gets noticed and never leads to players buying each other drinks.:confused:

You are right, however I don't think he was saying that bad players hurt your odds - just that bad players annoy some people and if you're one of those people you should probably avoid cruise ship casinos. This is one of those cases where you both are right:D

Yes, if you are annoyed by that behavior, only play high roller tables. :D

I have seen the same happen just about everywhere.

But the real answer is, it does not matter, so do not let it annoy you.

Pretty rare (although not unheard of) for someone to hit a hard 18.

Soft 18 is a whole different ballgame. Probably the most misunderstood and misplayed hand in all of blackjack.

Per standard basic strategy, you HIT soft 18 against dealer 9, 10, or A, and DOUBLE against 3 thru 6. Only time you stay on soft 18 is against dealer 2, 7, or 8.

The other misplayed hand is the 9. I have seen a number of players who state they never double with a 9 hand. But the odds say double on a dealer 2 - 6.

The other misplayed hand is the 9. I have seen a number of players who state they never double with a 9 hand. But the odds say double on a dealer 2 - 6.

Then again, what are the odds to split 2s against 6, to get a 10 and a 2, a 10 and a 2, a 10 and a 2 and a 10 and a 10. Koningsdam, picture made with permission.

Then again, what are the odds to split 2s against 6, to get a 10 and a 2, a 10 and a 2, a 10 and a 2 and a 10 and a 10. Koningsdam, picture made with permission.

 

 

And the dealer busted! Awesome!

Then again, what are the odds to split 2s against 6, to get a 10 and a 2, a 10 and a 2, a 10 and a 2 and a 10 and a 10. Koningsdam, picture made with permission.

 

 

Odds don't say something will or will not happen. Only how likely.

Playing the single deck table on Grandeur in Aug, I had almost every other hand a 12.

When I play, it is to have fun. Sometimes and ONLY sometimes, this means playing I will play against the odds because it feels good as heck to win one of those hands. .Perhaps some other players are miffed by that. It's my play to enjoy. and I get pissed when someone tells me what I should have done. I don't know how many times I have had a fellow pull a 3 before or after me when I show 18. Oh well, so it goes.

My last bet at the end of my cruise is one hand only for a $100 chip. I walk away win or lose.

That is fun.

The other misplayed hand is the 9. I have seen a number of players who state they never double with a 9 hand. But the odds say double on a dealer 2 - 6.

From what I've seen, maybe 10% plays 100% basic strategy, 50% are playing with some knowledge, and 40% doesn't even bother to look at the dealer's card and just wants to get as near to 21 as possible. I wonder how much the actual edge is for the casino.

From what I've seen, maybe 10% plays 100% basic strategy, 50% are playing with some knowledge, and 40% doesn't even bother to look at the dealer's card and just wants to get as near to 21 as possible. I wonder how much the actual edge is for the casino.

Try the cruise lines I cruise on, basic strategy players are about 1% and on my last cruise I was the only one, some had some idea but the vast majority thought they were playing pontoon. I play for social reasons. The last cruise only had 2 tables, 6 decks hand shuffle, pay 3;2, dealer stand on soft 17, double any hand, double after split except aces etc. Pretty good rules but with a £2 minimum and those players they were still raking the money in!. Contrast this to NCL Epic $15 dollar 3:2 table hand shuffle (broken CSM machine) The whole week I only saw one player who did not know basic strategy.

My basic rules for blackjack

play for fun

learn basic strategy (only takes a month or two)

stop playing if you are not enjoying it

be resigned to your 2 year run of bad luck

visit wizard of odds site

My basic rules for blackjack

 

play for fun

learn basic strategy (only takes a month or two)

stop playing if you are not enjoying it

be resigned to your 2 year run of bad luck

visit wizard of odds site

These are good rules :)

I play for fun. I have a daily loss limit, based on a single day ticket price at Disney. :D

If I lose that much, I enjoyed myself and quit for the day. If I don't lose, I can keep playing or do something else I enjoy.