Blackjack on Breeze

[Jamman54]

I cruise to play blackjack. I'm not a great player and I never win big, but I do know the game because I practice until I can play 100's of "perfect" hands, as determined by the blackjack experts who have computer simulated millions of hands and know the slight odds from playing strategic blackjack. I know instantly what my reaction will be to the dealer's cards, and it's consistent. I never waiver.

 

It's very frustrating to for me to be at a table with players who don't know the game. I realize they're just having fund, but it's still annoying. Being surrounded by smokers is bad enough; surrounded by bonehead players who make dumb decisions is awful. I take it as long as I can but eventually leave even if I'm winning. I look for a group who knows what they're doing.

 

I should add though that these "bonehead" players usually win way more than I do. I wonder; who's really the smart player?

 

I consider myself a serious blackjack player, but I keep my "serious" playing at land based casinos, where if I am not happy at a table, for whatever reason, I can get up and easily find another table, or even another casino. I can count cards, but with the continuous shuffling machine / shoe combo found on most cruise ships, there really isn't an accurate way to know what the true count is. I know how to play perfect basic strategy, so the house edge is only a little over a half percent. I will always sit at third base, as I like to have the last decision before the dealer.

I love to play blackjack when I cruise, but I keep it in perspective. I consider the lower limit tables "amateur hour" and if I sit at these tables I bet lower and just enjoy the fun and interaction with my fellow passengers. I still shake my head sometimes at the plays some people make, but in the long run it really doesn't matter to me. Think about it, how many times did someone make a bad decision and the table made out better than if they had made the right decision. and of course it works the other way.

Now if I want to play more serious, I'll move to a higher limit table, where for the most part the play will be more consistent. We all will make mistakes, and even if someone is obviously not a very knowledgeable player, as long as they are consistent, I am happy.

[golfadj]

I consider myself a serious blackjack player, but I keep my "serious" playing at land based casinos, where if I am not happy at a table, for whatever reason, I can get up and easily find another table, or even another casino. I can count cards, but with the continuous shuffling machine / shoe combo found on most cruise ships, there really isn't an accurate way to know what the true count is. I know how to play perfect basic strategy, so the house edge is only a little over a half percent. I will always sit at third base, as I like to have the last decision before the dealer.

 

I love to play blackjack when I cruise, but I keep it in perspective. I consider the lower limit tables "amateur hour" and if I sit at these tables I bet lower and just enjoy the fun and interaction with my fellow passengers. I still shake my head sometimes at the plays some people make, but in the long run it really doesn't matter to me. Think about it, how many times did someone make a bad decision and the table made out better than if they had made the right decision. and of course it works the other way.

 

Now if I want to play more serious, I'll move to a higher limit table, where for the most part the play will be more consistent. We all will make mistakes, and even if someone is obviously not a very knowledgeable player, as long as they are consistent, I am happy.

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

[bmckim]

Well said. Jamman54