New player seeking advice

Hello Experienced players,

I have played black jack twice now in my life. the last time i went it was in a casino around Chicago where we found the cheapest tables (15) compared to some (25-50) that were closer to down town. My wife gave me 50 dollars as a birthday gift for me to play with and did not expect it back. Here's the part i need help and/or clarification.

I did not count and i am not sure "how" too. i have not read books or anything out side of a few posts on this board for general lingo. my "strategy" was after 4-5 mediocre hands were dealt to me like 15-19 i would increase my bet. i know the more lower value cards that have recently been played would aid my chance to win. so following this "idea" i hit 20 on my first raised bet and the dealer stopped at 18. i reduced my betting to 15 again and waited for any streaks of play. the next time this happened i raised 2 green and hit a black jack.

I used this "strategy" for 2 hours at the table and ended up walking away with 500 in green and 65 in red. At the end they were calling "checks" or something and the guy behind the dealer watched the deal. I had some attention at the end and became nervous. i was asked for a players card twice by the 1 guy behind the dealer and once from another guy that came up by my side of the table. i do not have one and this casino is an hour away from where i lived, so i told them i do not have one and this is my first time here.

Please fill me in. did i do something to warrant this? was my last few bets of 4 green under 3 red to high? did i not tip enough or? i would like to play again but i would like to avoid this altogether or know enough to not be nervous if it happens.

Thanks.

Don't worry about it. It's their job to get you into the system with
a players card. They do it all day long, don't take it personally.

A $15 table is usually 6-8 decks and a continuous shuffle machine [CSM]. If so they were unconcerned about counting. Since you were winning there might have been a concern you were able to see the dealer's hole card, things like that.

A better description of the game will help for questions like this.

Quote: Contempt

Hello Experienced players,

I have played black jack twice now in my life. the last time i went it was in a casino around Chicago where we found the cheapest tables (15) compared to some (25-50) that were closer to down town. My wife gave me 50 dollars as a birthday gift for me to play with and did not expect it back. Here's the part i need help and/or clarification.

I did not count and i am not sure "how" too. i have not read books or anything out side of a few posts on this board for general lingo. my "strategy" was after 4-5 mediocre hands were dealt to me like 15-19 i would increase my bet. i know the more lower value cards that have recently been played would aid my chance to win. so following this "idea" i hit 20 on my first raised bet and the dealer stopped at 18. i reduced my betting to 15 again and waited for any streaks of play. the next time this happened i raised 2 green and hit a black jack.

I used this "strategy" for 2 hours at the table and ended up walking away with 500 in green and 65 in red. At the end they were calling "checks" or something and the guy behind the dealer watched the deal. I had some attention at the end and became nervous. i was asked for a players card twice by the 1 guy behind the dealer and once from another guy that came up by my side of the table. i do not have one and this casino is an hour away from where i lived, so i told them i do not have one and this is my first time here.

Please fill me in. did i do something to warrant this? was my last few bets of 4 green under 3 red to high? did i not tip enough or? i would like to play again but i would like to avoid this altogether or know enough to not be nervous if it happens.

Thanks.

You came to the table severely underfunded and experienced positive variance. Call it beginner's luck if you wish but don't expect it to happen again. A much more likely outcome would be to lose it all in a few hands and even in one hand on occasion.

Dealers are instructed to call out "checks play" or otherwise notify the pit when a bet of $100 or more is made. There's nothing to worry about.

You asked if you tipped enough but didn't say how much you tipped. Some of up don't tip dealers while others over tip so it's up to you. Don't let anyone intimidate or goad you into making tips that you are not comfortable with.

If blackjack is something you would like to pursue and take to the next level this forum can get you started on the right path.

Thank you all for the feedback, To answer some of your questions it was a shoe i believe and must have been 6 decks or greater was a thick stack. the dealer never shuffled it was a machine he put a deck into and took another out.

I tipped roughly 30-40$ the time at the table usually following blackjacks

the assumption i made was taking dealer face card + 8 (face down) was their hand value so i shot for = or higher.

i would also place my large bets after the dealer, another player or myself had a crazy hand of 5 cards or something that were low numbers. i figured this would mean good cards are coming and i lost twice when i upped my bets during my time at the table.

another question is the side bets, were perfect pairs. i did not play this once because i am not sure of the odds. although i did see someone make 100$ off a 5$ chip.

Card counters and other smart people never play the side bets.

But only card counters, hole card players and others that want to remain anonymous will refuse a players card. By doing so, and the way you varried your bet, made you look suspicious.

Unless you have a strong aversion to junk mail, you should have taken the players card. And the comps do add up. Not much but you might have gotten a free meal for your play. Why refuse it?

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Why refuse it?

Why refuse it might be because -- like virginity -- once you give it up you can NEVER get it back again!

Having this casino know his real name may not be something he will want in the future, at this store or some other related location.

But once it's gone, it's gone forever.

The OP was a first-time player, possibly one of the rare ones who seems to have SOME natural appreciation or affinity for really understanding the game (i.e. he naturally "sensed" he should be looking for low cards and only raise his bet after he's seen some come out of the shoe).

There is no telling how far he MIGHT be able to go with his game, once he actually learns what he's doing.

IMHO absolutely no good reason to give up the ID so fast... just for a free hot dog!!!

He did the right thing by refusing.

-DBJT

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Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Agreed. If only I knew then what I know now. Unfortunately at some places it's too late. Any place I go now where I don't have a card, no way in hell will I get one.

Totally agree with both of you. I don't use any cards, yet a lot of dealers/floors on the Strip (on certain shifts) still recognize me. But I know it would be a heck of a lot worse if I had used a card, since they take notes on players.

Not to derail here, but just three short days until gr8player's suspension ends and gr8hoven9th can stop slumming on these threads and get back to kicking the stuffing out of strawmen ;-)

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

Any place I go now where I don't have a card, no way in hell will I get one.

I'm thinking that if you ever think you will be an advantage player it's one thing, negative expectation another.

Speaking for myself, the only times I have squeezed into the advantage column is when over-comped.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Card counters and other smart people never play the side bets.

Non-gamblers and other smart people never play the side bets.

Hello and thanks for the feedback. I have returned to the same casino with 60$ when I first sat down I was asked for my card. That was the only time I was asked on this visit.

I played 10-15$ games and ended up 200 ahead. Although I would have lost 1/4 of it on 1 hand. Previous to my increased bet hand a Indian couple were playing and in my eyes being dicks to everyone else. THe dealer was new and double checked his payouts also was doing some small talk and mentioned he was written up because he payed out 3 winners before checking his hand for a bj which he had. There was a guy hovering around the table who I'm guessing is his boss. I called out the Indian couple because they short bet a double down. So the dealer told them to put another red in or hand is forfeit. I kind of received a nod of appreciation from the dealer since he the boss on him already. With this same dealer I put 50$ in after the last round of hands which was garbage the highest dealt hand was 13. Dealer dealt first card to us and I got. 3. He had queen showing. He deals second set of cards and "misses" my 3 so everyone has 2 except me. The boss told Me I can get dealt another card or remove My bet I removed. Tipped the guy 10$ and left that table.

Questions for you experienced guys.

1. I see the term "rat holing" and it refers to hiding winnings? Will my way work the same? I handed my wife stacks of chips to "play craps with" and she walked around eventually made it too the bankers. Will this be acceptable?

2. I was told that the tables were 6 decks and the other 8 decks. I stayed at the 6 deck. Is this right?

3. Asking a grumpy old fart with 2k in chips in front of him if he wants to play my hand he can buy it from me. "I motioned to hit on a 12 vs dealer 5 oldfart said you wan to stay"He payed me 25$ and he told me to stay on that hand. I did and dealer hit 21 with the 6 I would have taken. Is this ok or legal or frowned upon?

Thanks for your time again

Posted on iPhone sorry or grammar and spelling.

If by short bet you mean their double was less than their original bet; that is allowed. It is called doubling for less.

Is it allowed at every casino? When I played here the first time hey said match your bet. Does this vary at table limits and such?

Quote: 1BB

Dealers are instructed to call out "checks play" or otherwise notify the pit when a bet of $100 or more is made. There's nothing to worry about.

Its up to the Floor and surveillance to decide if there is anything to worry about. Nothing for the player to worry about. The Floor may already be there to see it, the dealer still calls it out loud and clear. The Floor may have already seen the bet being placed, its still called out. The Floor may not care one whit about it... its still called out. The Floor may be the other side of the pit busying himself with something young and blonde... its still called out.
Nothing for the player to worry about. It does not indicate suspicion or fears or doubts ... its just policy. The dealer will do it and that is because its job.
You can have fun whether you ignore it or not.

Its like rapping a chip on the edge of the table before putting into the dealer's toke box. The dealer does it even if the pit boss is standing right there or not. Its routine. And not the player's worry.

Quote: Contempt

Is it allowed at every casino? When I played here the first time hey said match your bet.

They probably told you that because it's to your advantage to do so, not because of a casino rule. In fact, the house would love it if people always doubled for less because players only hurt themselves by not doing so.

Quote: Contempt

2. I was told that the tables were 6 decks and the other 8 decks. I stayed at the 6 deck. Is this right?

There's no rule one way or the other. It depends on the casino.

Quote: Contempt

3. Asking a grumpy old fart with 2k in chips in front of him if he wants to play my hand he can buy it from me. "I motioned to hit on a 12 vs dealer 5 oldfart said you wan to stay"He payed me 25$ and he told me to stay on that hand. I did and dealer hit 21 with the 6 I would have taken. Is this ok or legal or frowned upon?

Is what OK?

Hitting a 12 against a dealer's 5 is a bad move. But hey, if you got $25 out of it, you shouldn't complain! (haha)

Quote: Contempt

Hello and thanks for the feedback. I have returned to the same casino with 60$ when I first sat down I was asked for my card. That was the only time I was asked on this visit.

I played 10-15$ games and ended up 200 ahead. Although I would have lost 1/4 of it on 1 hand. Previous to my increased bet hand a Indian couple were playing and in my eyes being dicks to everyone else. THe dealer was new and double checked his payouts also was doing some small talk and mentioned he was written up because he payed out 3 winners before checking his hand for a bj which he had. There was a guy hovering around the table who I'm guessing is his boss. I called out the Indian couple because they short bet a double down. So the dealer told them to put another red in or hand is forfeit. I kind of received a nod of appreciation from the dealer since he the boss on him already. With this same dealer I put 50$ in after the last round of hands which was garbage the highest dealt hand was 13. Dealer dealt first card to us and I got. 3. He had queen showing. He deals second set of cards and "misses" my 3 so everyone has 2 except me. The boss told Me I can get dealt another card or remove My bet I removed. Tipped the guy 10$ and left that table.

Questions for you experienced guys.

1. I see the term "rat holing" and it refers to hiding winnings? Will my way work the same? I handed my wife stacks of chips to "play craps with" and she walked around eventually made it too the bankers. Will this be acceptable?

2. I was told that the tables were 6 decks and the other 8 decks. I stayed at the 6 deck. Is this right?

3. Asking a grumpy old fart with 2k in chips in front of him if he wants to play my hand he can buy it from me. "I motioned to hit on a 12 vs dealer 5 oldfart said you wan to stay"He payed me 25$ and he told me to stay on that hand. I did and dealer hit 21 with the 6 I would have taken. Is this ok or legal or frowned upon?

Thanks for your time again

Posted on iPhone sorry or grammar and spelling.

1. Ratholing is done to soften winnings or to appear to be losing. If not done properly it will bring unwanted attention and you can be"charged' with missing chips, which will completely defeat the purpose.

2. A six deck game has a lower house edge than the eight deck. You may also find better rules such as S17 although the minimums may be higher.

3. As long as everyone remains civil and there are no arguments, selling your hand is usually allowed. Reaching across the table or other players' hands to grab chips is more than frowned upon and should never be done. Remember that the dealer is not a referee. If someone doesn't want to pay you there's not a heck of a lot you can do. Get the money first and when you can't, as in scavenger play, know who you're dealing with.

Doubling for less is an advantage for the casino and I have never seen anyone refused. Splitting pairs is a different matter and must be done for the full amount.

Quote: Contempt

Hello Experienced players,

I have played black jack twice now in my life. the last time i went it was in a casino around Chicago where we found the cheapest tables (15) compared to some (25-50) that were closer to down town. My wife gave me 50 dollars as a birthday gift for me to play with and did not expect it back. Here's the part i need help and/or clarification.

I did not count and i am not sure "how" too. i have not read books or anything out side of a few posts on this board for general lingo. my "strategy" was after 4-5 mediocre hands were dealt to me like 15-19 i would increase my bet. i know the more lower value cards that have recently been played would aid my chance to win. so following this "idea" i hit 20 on my first raised bet and the dealer stopped at 18. i reduced my betting to 15 again and waited for any streaks of play. the next time this happened i raised 2 green and hit a black jack.

I used this "strategy" for 2 hours at the table and ended up walking away with 500 in green and 65 in red. At the end they were calling "checks" or something and the guy behind the dealer watched the deal. I had some attention at the end and became nervous. i was asked for a players card twice by the 1 guy behind the dealer and once from another guy that came up by my side of the table. i do not have one and this casino is an hour away from where i lived, so i told them i do not have one and this is my first time here.

Please fill me in. did i do something to warrant this? was my last few bets of 4 green under 3 red to high? did i not tip enough or? i would like to play again but i would like to avoid this altogether or know enough to not be nervous if it happens.

Thanks.

Experienced players? Really?

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