Direct From Tomahawk, Wisconsin

For the 4th of July, I vacationed in northern Wisconsin. There I played blackjack at a little casino near Tomahawk, Wisconsin. The following story actually happened:

I sat down at a table that had a guy playing two spots, one for $5, the other for $50. After a couple hands I asked him why his bet sizes were so different. He explained to me that he put up the $5 hand to play immediately before the $50 hand so the $5 hand could "take the bust cards."

So I asked him, "But how do you know which cards coming out of the shoe are going to be the bust cards?"

He looked at me like I was an idiot, shook his head, and said "The big ones, son, the big ones."

That's a true story.

It's possible he had no idea what he was doing, but it's also possible he was using that explanation as cover, since by the time action reached the $50 hand there would be more cards on the table and thus he would have a better idea of the count, remaining cards, etc.

Quote: JB

It's possible he had no idea what he was doing, but it's also possible he was using that explanation as cover, since by the time action reached the $50 hand there would be more cards on the table and thus he would have a better idea of the count, remaining cards, etc.

You've got a generous nature, and that's something to be proud of.

Unfortunately, in this particular instance, I don't think the well camouflaged uber-Counter explanation applied. While he did seem to know Basic Strategy, he viewed it as suggestive only, and would discard it based on things like "hot streaks" and the "flow of cards."

I'm only a novice counter, but I'm familiar enough with the I-18 to know that whatever he was doing, it wasn't that.

Quote: hmmm23

For the 4th of July, I vacationed in northern Wisconsin. There I played blackjack at a little casino near Tomahawk, Wisconsin. The following story actually happened:

I sat down at a table that had a guy playing two spots, one for $5, the other for $50. After a couple hands I asked him why his bet sizes were so different. He explained to me that he put up the $5 hand to play immediately before the $50 hand so the $5 hand could "take the bust cards."

So I asked him, "But how do you know which cards coming out of the shoe are going to be the bust cards?"

He looked at me like I was an idiot, shook his head, and said "The big ones, son, the big ones."

That's a true story.

Smart-A** Comebacks to Dumb-A** Answers to Curious Questions:

-"Well, I guess I better not play before you - I wouldn't want to be stuck with all your bust cards!"

-"Hey, would you mind letting me play between your $5 and $50 hands?!?" lol

-"But sir, I thought all of the cards were the same size!"

-Eagerly sitting down to join the game: "Well all right! Finally, someone who knows what the next cards will be! Be sure to let me know, OK Gramps?"