Advantage play FAIL

I was playing blackjack with some friends at Bally's, flat betting $10, just dicking around and keeping the count but losing it quite often.

It was nearing the end of the shoe and the count was slightly positive. Suddenly, dealer pulls out an extra card when she has hard 17. "Oops," she says, and tucks the card while paying both of us. (We had pat hands). She does not consult the floor. She then very clearly shows me the card she tucked and gets ready to deal it to me on the next hand. I say, "Is that a Jack?" and she jokingly says, "Yes, it is, so bet big!"

I push in my whole stack, about $150 (I was up from my $100 buy-in), and she deals me the jack for my first card. Second card is another face for 20. YES! Finally, I'm getting on the positive end of an advantage play. (When the player's first card is a 10 they have a 13% advantage). Dealer has ten up, but I'm already counting my money. Suddenly, I hear her mutter "Oh my God," and I know what's next. She has a frickin' 10-up BJ!

Why me? This is why I can't card count professionally. If I can't win with a 13% advantage, how can I make it with a 1-2% edge in counting? Must be payback for my nigh back-to-back royals...

Quote: teddys

Must be payback for my nigh back-to-back royals...

hmm... Ya, I'm having a hard time mustering up any sympathy ;)

The gambling gods may have been upset at your lack of bet for the dealer.

Quote: RogerKint

hmm... Ya, I'm having a hard time mustering up any sympathy ;)

The gambling gods may have been upset at your lack of bet for the dealer.

I hope the gods in their munificent wisdom know I certainly would have taken care of her if she had dealt me a winner :0

Quote: teddys

I hope the gods in their munificent wisdom know I certainly would have taken care of her if she had dealt me a winner :0

Perhaps the Gambling gods (who would they be, BTW? ) have been trying to tell you for some time to stop playing BJ? ;)

I know that feeling. When the chances are small and are in your favor (for example hitting a jackpot) it won't happen but when its at your disadvantage (like the dealer beating you with two suited bj's in row, what happened to me today) it will happen. Go on and lick your wounds and keep in mind that every second a fortune is lost. Next time I would bet $50 or so, but not my entire bankroll.

Quote: teddys

Why me? This is why I can't card count professionally. If I can't win with a 13% advantage, how can I make it with a 1-2% edge in counting? Must be payback for my nigh back-to-back royals...

I have the same reason too. I know IN THE LONG RUN that it balances out and I get the BJ with more money up. However, it never fails when I put that big bet up there when the count is high, I either get a 14,15 or 16 OR the dealer pulls the BJ (sometimes both).

Quote: Tiltpoul

I have the same reason too. I know IN THE LONG RUN that it balances out and I get the BJ with more money up. However, it never fails when I put that big bet up there when the count is high, I either get a 14,15 or 16 OR the dealer pulls the BJ (sometimes both).

And that is why counting has to be a long term thing. Short term variance has killed many.

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Quote: Ibeatyouraces

If this had been me, I would have bought more chips and bet table max.

You'd tip surveillance off as to the dealer's mistake and what she was trying to do for you, though. If you Push in and walk away either way, surveillance would probably just think that you got tired of playing and decided to take a shot.

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I was speaking in terms of the dealer potentially losing her job.

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The right play, as Ibeatyouraces noted, would be to buy as much as it would take to bet the max (assuming that risk is not an issue). If the floor tried to burn the card at that point, you should immediately declare your intention to call Gaming if the floor proceeds to burn the card. A player is (currently?) suing a casino in the same city for the exact same thing—he was going to receive and Ace, and the floor burned the card after he pushed out a large bet. That is outright cheating by the casino at worst, and unethical behavior at best (would they burn a 5 or a 6 if it was exposed and the player wanted it?).