"Crazy" lady at first base

OK - I was at my favorite haunt last weekend. Strolled into the high limit area and sat down at a $100min. table at 3rd base. While the dealer was shuffling a red-headed lady of about 65 years sat down and immediately announced to anyone within earshot that she had lost $20k the night before, which made her husband sick causing him to leave her there by herself. She then looked over at me and asked if I would be playing "by the book" since I was "in the anchor position" - I informed her I do indeed play by the book. An Indian gentleman then sat down and we all exchanged pleasantries.

The dealer dealt the first hand and everything seemed normal. A few hands in the red-headed lady decided to double down a 4,3 against a dealer K
The Indian guy and I looked at one another and smiled...
A few hands went by and she received a 5,3 - yup, she doubled against a dealer 4.
She then doubled a 5,2 against a dealer Ace

She proceeded to NOT HIT a 10,3 versus a dealer 10....NOT HIT a 5,4 versus a dealer 4...HIT 8,8 versus a dealer 6...and proceeded to double any hand total of 7 through 10 against ANY dealer upcard - however, she would never double down on her 11!!!

I finally asked her why she asked if I played by the book when she herself clearly did not - she proceeded to tell me that "the book was written by the casino" and she did not trust it - BUT, a person at 3rd base should always play by the book as it can ruin the other players' hands if they do not!!!

PURE INSANITY!!!

Epilogue:

I went back to the high limit room four hours later and she was in the same seat at the same table, however, she had since quadrupled her buy-in of $2k to $8k (now, I am not sure if she bought in for more or not) but, apparently, the variance that worked against her the night before worked in her favor that afternoon.

I enjoyed the story.

I wish I could play with interesting people. Instead I just get disgruntled people. I think people at tables should have to wear mood rings and at certain colors they are simply not allowed to make a bet.

I once played with a guy who would pay me to play my hand the way he wanted me to.This was at a 200 minimum table.
He would pay me to stay on totals less than 11 sometimes,to save the ten for the dealer.If I won, no problem,if I lost he would toss me the amount of my bet.I eventually bet up to 400 but I didn`t dare bet more as I thought he might stop paying me.I would look for him and try to play on his table,but it was hard to get a seat ,as all the regulars wanted to be on his table.
The last I heard he lost over 4 million and was broke,and now I have not seen him for several years. Oh by the way he was betting 2 x 1000 to 2 x 5000

A couple years ago I stopped in at a fairly successful Indian casino in the Kansas countryside. Sat down at 3rd base at a $10 table just as it appeared the only other player, an Oriental lady, was about to leave. She was probably about 50 or so. Once I plopped down, she elected to stay. I had not seen her bet before arriving which was a mistake.

Turned out she was going between $500 and $2K PER HAND. AT A $10 TABLE.

I had bought in for $200 and was playing between $10 and $50. Quite the disparity. Here is the kicker...she liked to blame someone for her losses. Several times she questioned my plays, which were not incorrect. Anyway, the dealer stuck up for me. It was quite striking, really, as this gal was quite likely a regular at the place and I was not. I have rarely felt myself in the presence of an irrational, yet ostensibly wealthy, person as was true that day.

Quote: aceofspades

I finally asked her why she asked if I played by the book when she herself clearly did not - she proceeded to tell me that "the book was written by the casino" and she did not trust it - BUT, a person at 3rd base should always play by the book as it can ruin the other players' hands if they do not!!!

PURE INSANITY!!!

She sounds like a shill to me

Austin Powers Casino Scene

She likes to live dangerously, don't be hatin'.

Quote: ahiromu

Austin Powers Casino Scene

She likes to live dangerously, don't be hatin'.

I don't know whether Youtube handles it exactly the same for everyone, but after I watch that video clip, it fills the video window with nine other film clips I can select from. Two of those are the Wizard talking about how to play blackjack!

Many casinos are creating a new rule that allows you to strangle players like this. Ask your pit-boss for details.

I wish we could strangle players like this. I've had my share of "nutters" at the blackjack table. Including one guy who insisted the little laminated strategy cards they sell at the gift shop were a fraud. All set up by the casino to make you play the way they want. "Why do you think they sell them at the gift shop?" was really his only arguement. I pointed out that the mathamatics of blackjack have been well documented by many experts. Even offered to show him this website on my phone. He wasn't interested in any "fancy math"...cause he knew "how to play smart"......and guess what? While I was there he was up 4-5K at least....sigh...

Quote: vendman1

I wish we could strangle players like this. I've had my share of "nutters" at the blackjack table. Including one guy who insisted the little laminated strategy cards they sell at the gift shop were a fraud. All set up by the casino to make you play the way they want. "Why do you think they sell them at the gift shop?" was really his only arguement. I pointed out that the mathamatics of blackjack have been well documented by many experts. Even offered to show him this website on my phone. He wasn't interested in any "fancy math"...cause he knew "how to play smart"......and guess what? While I was there he was up 4-5K at least....sigh...

Short term variance is the fool's friend!