Black Jack Tournament -- Strategy?

[CTMak]

I like to play Black Jack and know the fundamentals pretty well in terms of: when to hit/stay (of course); double down strategy; when to split and when not to, the "book" on what to do with "soft" hands, etc.

 

But in the Carnival BJ tournaments: I'd be interested in any tips on money management. You have X amount of money for Y amount of hands. Do you bet it all -- all the time? Do you start off small and then get aggressive? Do you hold back and wait/hope for the 9-10-11 hands when you can double down?

 

I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.

 

Thanks

 

CTMak

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I like to play Black Jack and know the fundamentals pretty well in terms of: when to hit/stay (of course); double down strategy; when to split and when not to, the "book" on what to do with "soft" hands, etc.

 

But in the Carnival BJ tournaments: I'd be interested in any tips on money management. You have X amount of money for Y amount of hands. Do you bet it all -- all the time? Do you start off small and then get aggressive? Do you hold back and wait/hope for the 9-10-11 hands when you can double down?

 

I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.

 

Thanks

 

CTMak

 

It is PURE LUCK.

 

On my last sailing, there was a young boastful fellow playing a few times at the same table as I was. He did not have a clue (splitting 10's - doubling on 12's...ETC...). As luck would have it HE WON the tournament later that week.:rolleyes:

 

I would assume if you wanted to play it smart - stick to basic strategy and bet BIG. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED.

 

I have not played in it before, but will this time since I get a free entry due to the new platinum club perks.

 

GOOD LUCK!

 

Tom

[jgmpuma]

I'm pretty good at basic BJ strategy, but all the usual rules are out the window in a tournament. The only way to accumulate enough $ to get to the finals is to split tens (or any other pair) double down on a blackjack, etc. It is mostly dumb luck rather than skill.

[KJC_67]

I like to play Black Jack and know the fundamentals pretty well in terms of: when to hit/stay (of course); double down strategy; when to split and when not to, the "book" on what to do with "soft" hands, etc.

 

But in the Carnival BJ tournaments: I'd be interested in any tips on money management. You have X amount of money for Y amount of hands. Do you bet it all -- all the time? Do you start off small and then get aggressive? Do you hold back and wait/hope for the 9-10-11 hands when you can double down?

 

I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.

 

Thanks

 

CTMak

 

Best advise I can give you is to sign up for the last table. They will pass around a sign up sheet before the tourney starts, grab it and get on the last table, almost everyone from that table made it to the final round. I think its a huge advantage beacuse you will know what you have to beat to get to the final round. Best of luck!!!

[big_duck]

Best advise I can give you is to sign up for the last table. They will pass around a sign up sheet before the tourney starts, grab it and get on the last table, almost everyone from that table made it to the final round. I think its a huge advantage beacuse you will know what you have to beat to get to the final round. Best of luck!!!

 

My last cruise, most made it to the final table from the first couple of rounds (They had really good shoes). The cards were so good for these guys, that the lowest score at the final table was over $3000 (your start with a grand).

[salty dingo]

The last table may make it more obvious, but the play is the same... you have to be really loose. It does not hurt to know basic strategy, that can only help, but you won't have enough time for the odds to work in your favor. It is going to boil down to luck.

 

You would never bet 1/2 of your weekly cruise gambling bankroll on one hand of blackjack, right? Well, in a tournament, you really need to do that. If you lose two hands in a row, you walk. But hey, if you lost two hands in a row you are not lucky enough to win a tournament.

 

Just bet 1/2 of what you have each hand. If you get really far ahead, by the fifth or sixth hand you may bet less but you will probably not make it that far, if you are smart. You will either blow your $20 entry fee with wild bets or you will bet conservatively and finish in 317th place!

[CTMak]

I'm pretty good at basic BJ strategy, but all the usual rules are out the window in a tournament. The only way to accumulate enough $ to get to the finals is to split tens (or any other pair) double down on a blackjack, etc. It is mostly dumb luck rather than skill.

 

Yikes! Splitting 10's ... so hard to do.

 

I agree, though, it probably is mostly dumb luck. Maybe Salty Dingo has the right idea: bet half of your bankroll each time unless you get really ahead. I guess the logic is you are going to get on a roll or not.

 

Thanks

 

CTMak

[spongerob]

There's no strategy the way Carnival runs their tournaments. Just bet big and hope for the best. You have to have one of the top totals to get in. If you think you've got a qualifying amount early on, pull back and bet the minimum. Let others bust out trying to catch you.

[yst347]

Yikes! Splitting 10's ... so hard to do.

 

I agree, though, it probably is mostly dumb luck. Maybe Salty Dingo has the right idea: bet half of your bankroll each time unless you get really ahead. I guess the logic is you are going to get on a roll or not.

 

Thanks

 

CTMak

 

LOL....I was in Grand Casino Cushata several years ago. A young man at the table was splitting tens. The woman sitting next to me turned in disgust and said with a thick Louisiana accent; "If you sir had a 10 inch **** would you cut it in half? :D

[Ms_Pammy]

I have split 10's before actually in April on our last cruise...Dealer had a 4 showing so I decided to go for it and split them...The delaer LOOKED at me and said no,no, you should never split 10's its almost a guaranted win!! I said ah what the heck I feel good about it and split them...low and behold she filp an Ace and another Ace!:D

[CTMak]

I have split 10's before actually in April on our last cruise...Dealer had a 4 showing so I decided to go for it and split them...The delaer LOOKED at me and said no,no, you should never split 10's its almost a guaranted win!! I said ah what the heck I feel good about it and split them...low and behold she filp an Ace and another Ace!:D

 

Ouch, Pammy, 10's? You'd better watch out or you'll escalate up to the harder stuff: doubling down on Black Jack!

 

LOL

 

CTMak

[DREAMSAFLOAT]

I agree with the opinion that it is pure luck. Just did the BJ tournament no the Glory and made it to the final round Until the dealer busted in one of the last few groups that were played. 5 out of those players who really did not use basic strategy made it to the final round of 7 players regardless of how much they bet.

I played early on & would play later on in the last few groups of the tournament next time.

For $20 entertainment it wasn't bad!

[WeBeCruisin']

I've made it to the final table in about half of my cruises and won the tournament one of those times.

 

I agree that luck is a huge factor. I've seen people I played with all week and who were excellent players never make it past the third hand or so of each tournament preliminary, and I've seen complete novices make it to the finals by taking hits on 18 and splitting face cards.

 

You need to go in knowing that the odds are about a million to one that you're going to win seven hands in a row.

 

I try to bet fairly strongly for the first couple of hands, and then if I win them, coast a little in the middle hands and come on strong again at the end. You also have to be very aware of those around you, and if you're comfortably ahead, make minimum bets based on the fact that they're unlikely to be able to catch you.

 

Also, on the final hand, all strategies are off. If you have a pair of kings but know the person beside you has more money, then you will have to go for the split to make twice as much if you get lucky. Then again, the person next to you, even though they are far ahead may bet the limit of $500 and double down or split and blow their lead. That's what makes it exciting!

 

The year I won, it got down to the wire with three of us remaining and being about equal in chips. One person busted, and the second person stayed with a 16 (six showing). I had a 7 and a 4 and doubled down. The dealer went bust taking the mandatory hit on a 16 and I got a Queen of Diamonds to win the double down and the tournament.

 

I also could have wound up being the first one out. It's a little bit of strategy and a ton of luck. But it's still a lot of fun!

 

Allen

[WeBeCruisin']

Oh, and for what it's worth, most of the cruise I played at a single deck table on Celebrity's Summit. I don't know if the Carnival ships have a single deck table or not. I'll find out in October.

 

Anyway, there were a group of about six to eight "regulars" at the single-deck table thoughout the 12-day trip, and by fate or coincidence three of us made it to the final table of seven in the tournament. That just seemed a little odd. The three of us finished 1st, 2nd and 4th.

 

The odds on a single-deck table are slightly better for the player, but it's a slower game, because the deck is constantly having to be shuffled. On the plus side, though, you get to know your fellow players a lot better, because you're chatting during each shuffle.

 

Allen

[CTMak]

I've made it to the final table in about half of my cruises and won the tournament one of those times.

 

I agree that luck is a huge factor. I've seen people I played with all week and who were excellent players never make it past the third hand or so of each tournament preliminary' date=' and I've seen complete novices make it to the finals by taking hits on 18 and splitting face cards.

 

You need to go in knowing that the odds are about a million to one that you're going to win seven hands in a row.

 

I try to bet fairly strongly for the first couple of hands, and then if I win them, coast a little in the middle hands and come on strong again at the end. You also have to be very aware of those around you, and if you're comfortably ahead, make minimum bets based on the fact that they're unlikely to be able to catch you.

 

Also, on the final hand, all strategies are off. If you have a pair of kings but know the person beside you has more money, then you will have to go for the split to make twice as much if you get lucky. Then again, the person next to you, even though they are far ahead may bet the limit of $500 and double down or split and blow their lead. That's what makes it exciting!

 

The year I won, it got down to the wire with three of us remaining and being about equal in chips. One person busted, and the second person stayed with a 16 (six showing). I had a 7 and a 4 and doubled down. The dealer went bust taking the mandatory hit on a 16 and I got a Queen of Diamonds to win the double down and the tournament.

 

I also could have wound up being the first one out. It's a little bit of strategy and a ton of luck. But it's still a lot of fun!

 

Allen[/quote']

 

Allen:

 

Sounds like the right way to go. Thanks.

 

But you're right: you play 7 hands and you either have it or don't. I agree: relying on sound, fundamental BJ play is not necessarily the answer.

 

Good luck!

 

CTMak

[Gloryhound65]

All I can offer is to review my basic strategy:

 

 

Assume the dealer is hiding a 10. If the dealer has a 6 or less showing, he's going to take a hit most of the time.

 

You can lose just two ways: Bust or be outdrawn.

 

If you don't draw, you can't lose by busting. My basic strategy is to try to get the dealer to draw to a bust and keep myself from busting, too. Of course it doesn't always work.

 

If I see the dealer showing a 6 or less, I may stand on anything as little as 12. I don't hit unless the dealer's showing card is a 7 or more.

 

This still doesn't guarantee I'll win.

 

 

I prefer roulette, anyway. What the other players are doing doesn't have any effect on what the wheel will do, and I can pick the odds I play at.

 

 

Chris

[CTMak]

All I can offer is to review my basic strategy:

 

 

Assume the dealer is hiding a 10. If the dealer has a 6 or less showing, he's going to take a hit most of the time.

 

You can lose just two ways: Bust or be outdrawn.

 

If you don't draw, you can't lose by busting. My basic strategy is to try to get the dealer to draw to a bust and keep myself from busting, too. Of course it doesn't always work.

 

If I see the dealer showing a 6 or less, I may stand on anything as little as 12. I don't hit unless the dealer's showing card is a 7 or more.

 

This still doesn't guarantee I'll win.

 

 

I prefer roulette, anyway. What the other players are doing doesn't have any effect on what the wheel will do, and I can pick the odds I play at.

 

 

Chris

 

Chris:

 

What you are describing IS a part of basic BJ strategy.

 

Actually the dealer will ALWAYS hit with a six or less showing -- unless he has a 6 and an ace in which case he has to stand on 17 (most casinos have the dealer stand on soft 17's though some do not.)

 

If the dealer has a six or less showing you should always stand with 12 or more (though some players like to hit 12 if the dealer shows a 2) or, course, double down or split where appropriate.

 

The question is should and, if so, how basic strategy be altered in the BJ tournammnents where every one gets 7 hands and the most money wins it.

 

And you are right: no guarantees. If only!

 

CTMAK

[TNtraveler]

I'm pretty good at basic BJ strategy, but all the usual rules are out the window in a tournament. The only way to accumulate enough $ to get to the finals is to split tens (or any other pair) double down on a blackjack, etc...

 

Exactly right. In regular blackjack, all you're trying to do is beat the dealer. In tournament blackjack, you have to beat the dealer AND all the other players. It doesn't matter that you've tripled your money if everyone else has quadrupled his.

 

...You need to go in knowing that the odds are about a million to one that you're going to win seven hands in a row...

 

Not so. Good players routinely win about 47% of blackjack hands. Thus, there is slightly better than a 1:200 chance of any hand beginning a run of 7 straight wins. In other words, if there are more than 200 entrants in a tournament, the chances are very good one of them WILL win at least 7 in a row.

[stephandjim1070]

someone said play the last table... since most of them win... lol... i played the first table on our last crusie and made it to the finals.... with the most money... lol.... and the only female... i did not win the tourny but got secound place.. it wass fun... cant wait for this year tourny....

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

someone said play the last table... since most of them win... lol... i played the first table on our last crusie and made it to the finals.... with the most money... lol.... and the only female... i did not win the tourny but got secound place.. it wass fun... cant wait for this year tourny....

 

Well - if you do wait until the last table or two at least then you will know what you HAVE to have in order to make it to the final table. I have seen where $3,000 will get you to the final 7. I have also seen where it required almost $10,000. Keep in mind that you start with $1,000 in play chips!

 

So you can imagine how one must bet - virtually all or nothing at times, and "let it ride":eek:

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

There are certainly ways to improve your odds of making it to the final table (and win) - but you still must have A LOT of luck on your side. I have seen complete idiots win the $500.

 

If you can bring yourself to bet the way you need to at the tournament, you are probably better off doing that with your $20 and hitting the REAL table!

 

Double it... and double that, etc.... after 4 wins in a row, you will have $320 - and $640 after five...:D

 

You are more likely to win 3,4, or 5 in a row than you are to win the tournament ;)

 

GOOD LUCK!

 

Tom

[caribbean dreams]

I have to agree, it's mostly luck, My Husband is not the greatest BJ player and he has no strategy but we have 2 ships on a stick for his winning them.

[SouthernLadie]

My friend wanted to play blackjack she bought in with 20.00 i did 50.00. I have played in vegas at a 2.00 min table and on a River cruise in Iowa. The one thing I was always told.."Never bet more that you think you can lose" I always like the last seat at the table on the dealers right side. You always get the last cards. I also never cut the cards. I am the pits at cutting. In less than an hour I doubled my money and she lost her 20.00. When the dealer moved I cashed out. I have never played in a Blackjack tourney but I have done slot turneys..kills the fingers! We did a 5 day on the Imagination and they only ran slot tourneys. I won every time I played even got my firend to play slots, closely watched her too so she didn't put in a $100.00 bill like she did in AC and lost her money in 15 minutes.

 

Have fun and always remember to save a tip for the dealer.:cool:

 

AF

[Casino Player]

I like to play Black Jack and know the fundamentals pretty well in terms of: when to hit/stay (of course); double down strategy; when to split and when not to, the "book" on what to do with "soft" hands, etc.

 

But in the Carnival BJ tournaments: I'd be interested in any tips on money management. You have X amount of money for Y amount of hands. Do you bet it all -- all the time? Do you start off small and then get aggressive? Do you hold back and wait/hope for the 9-10-11 hands when you can double down?

 

I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.

 

Howdy, if you are a strong BJ player then play the best way you know how. Start off with small bets and double down when you can. There is no 100% tested proof to this, but when you win a few hands bet up. Then after two hands, regardless of outcome then bet down.

[gogetter]

Hello,

 

Ok heres my 2 cents.......................

 

whenever you play or before really...check the leader board. Then you have an idea of what it takes to make it and hang on for dear life. Again if it shows player 1 with 1000 and down to player 10 with 100, you wouldnt epect to make it by getting 101;. That should govern your play. Now there are a limited number of hands so waiting isn't really an option.

 

If all else fails enter again. and again until u make it