Etiquette on 6-5 Blackjack
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:29:45 PM
permalink
Dear all
I just got back to Sydney from my Vegas trip and would like your opinions on my 'interesting' experience at a blackjack table.
After a considerable walk through each of the casinos on The Strip, I found what I thought was a nice, quiet $10 blackjack table to while away a few hours and have a couple of drinks. I handed over $200 to get some chips and half way through the dealer's count I realised that it was a 6-5 Blackjack table (probably explains the lack of players). I said 'oh...' and she looked at me but I told her to keep going so she wouldn't lose count/get confused. When I received my $200 in chips, I explained to her (with the pit boss behind her) that I didn't realise it was as 6-5 Blackjack table and that I would go and way 3-2 Blackjack on a nearby table.
After a few minutes on that nearby table, the pit boss came past and in deadpan expression mentioned to me something like 'that was a bit harsh what you did back there'...or something to that extent...and walked off. I couldn't work out if he was joking but it had a feeling of seriousness about it that he was making a point. Obviously I cashed my chips straight away and walked out.
Did I show poor etiquette? If so, how would you get out of that situation of playing 6-5 Blackjack if you made that honest mistake? Should I have tipped the first person, simply for cashing $200?
Thanks
I just got back to Sydney from my Vegas trip and would like your opinions on my 'interesting' experience at a blackjack table.
After a considerable walk through each of the casinos on The Strip, I found what I thought was a nice, quiet $10 blackjack table to while away a few hours and have a couple of drinks. I handed over $200 to get some chips and half way through the dealer's count I realised that it was a 6-5 Blackjack table (probably explains the lack of players). I said 'oh...' and she looked at me but I told her to keep going so she wouldn't lose count/get confused. When I received my $200 in chips, I explained to her (with the pit boss behind her) that I didn't realise it was as 6-5 Blackjack table and that I would go and way 3-2 Blackjack on a nearby table.
After a few minutes on that nearby table, the pit boss came past and in deadpan expression mentioned to me something like 'that was a bit harsh what you did back there'...or something to that extent...and walked off. I couldn't work out if he was joking but it had a feeling of seriousness about it that he was making a point. Obviously I cashed my chips straight away and walked out.
Did I show poor etiquette? If so, how would you get out of that situation of playing 6-5 Blackjack if you made that honest mistake? Should I have tipped the first person, simply for cashing $200?
Thanks
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:34:56 PM
permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:36:06 PM
permalink
No absolutely not. Why would you tip? You got no service. You did the right thing.
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:37:41 PM
permalink
As described in your post, you did nothing wrong.
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:37:58 PM
permalink
You did absolutely nothing wrong, if this is the whole story (which I feel it is because there is very little moving parts here).
It is your money to do with as you see fit. Also, casinos are not in the habit of touching your cash and then handing it back to you. There is a procedure in most casinos (although it isn't always followed) that once the dealer has touched your cash, they HAVE to change it up for chips. Just because of this rule it really should not have made any difference if you stopped her mid-pump or not. She should still have changed the chips for you.
The Pit boss (or floor supervisor) was being a douche or he was trying to discourage you from counting if that was what you were on about. Either way he came off as a d**k head and you did the right thing by not giving them your business.
This could also just prove that the casino personel think everyone who doesn't just naturally want to play 6/5 has to be a professional blackjack player......
One question, did the dealer shuffle up and then make the change for you? Did she simply make change and that is it?
It is your money to do with as you see fit. Also, casinos are not in the habit of touching your cash and then handing it back to you. There is a procedure in most casinos (although it isn't always followed) that once the dealer has touched your cash, they HAVE to change it up for chips. Just because of this rule it really should not have made any difference if you stopped her mid-pump or not. She should still have changed the chips for you.
The Pit boss (or floor supervisor) was being a douche or he was trying to discourage you from counting if that was what you were on about. Either way he came off as a d**k head and you did the right thing by not giving them your business.
This could also just prove that the casino personel think everyone who doesn't just naturally want to play 6/5 has to be a professional blackjack player......
One question, did the dealer shuffle up and then make the change for you? Did she simply make change and that is it?
“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” - Winston Churchill
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:44:41 PM
permalink
Quote: IbeatyouracesI would've told him off.
At least a smart comment about offering 6:5 is in order at least.
You had no obligation to play a crap game. Sure, ideally it would have been best if you noticed it was 6:5 before getting the chips, but the casino rarely makes the 6:5 designation so gigantic that it's super noticeable. I did a similar thing while trying to use a free bet at Bally's. Sat down and was about to play it until I noticed it was 6:5. The dealer pointed me to the next table over that was 3:2...oops. But she was definitely nice about it unlike this jerk pit boss you dealt with.
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:45:08 PM
permalink
Seriously doubt the dealer had to shuffle. It's a $10 main-floor 6/5 game. I assume the cards are already loaded in the shoe ready to go. If the dealer did have to shuffle first, it'd be "proper etiquette" for the dealer to say "Just to let you know, this is a 6:5 BJ game."
I've sat down at a single deck game (thinking it was a DD game[?]) plenty of times, and the dealer said something like "btw, this is a single deck game , you can only double on 10 and 11, and BJ gets paid 6:5. not to scare you off, but sometimes people don't realize the rules before they sit down".
I've sat down at a single deck game (thinking it was a DD game[?]) plenty of times, and the dealer said something like "btw, this is a single deck game , you can only double on 10 and 11, and BJ gets paid 6:5. not to scare you off, but sometimes people don't realize the rules before they sit down".
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:50:13 PM
permalink
Quote: RSSeriously doubt the dealer had to shuffle. It's a $10 main-floor 6/5 game. I assume the cards are already loaded in the shoe ready to go. If the dealer did have to shuffle first, it'd be "proper etiquette" for the dealer to say "Just to let you know, this is a 6:5 BJ game."
I've sat down at a single deck game (thinking it was a DD game[?]) plenty of times, and the dealer said something like "btw, this is a single deck game , you can only double on 10 and 11, and BJ gets paid 6:5. not to scare you off, but sometimes people don't realize the rules before they sit down".
And that is exactly how professional and curteous the dealers should always be......unfortunately it is a lost art!
“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” - Winston Churchill
May 22nd, 2014 at 3:50:41 PM
permalink
You absolutely did nothing wrong. Can't imagine why the Floor followed you over and made you feel unwelcome; if my experience talking to top casino managers (limited, but a few) is any guide, he put his job on the line doing that, because you walked away from a good game and they lost a good customer.
You have every right to play a paytable that's acceptable to you, and rules acceptable to you. It's your money.
You have every right to play a paytable that's acceptable to you, and rules acceptable to you. It's your money.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
May 22nd, 2014 at 5:18:28 PM
permalink
What casino was this in?
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
May 22nd, 2014 at 5:22:44 PM
permalink
" Can't imagine why the Floor followed you over and made you feel unwelcome " REALLY BABS REALLY
Female dealer, male pit boss......................... Connect the dots. Evidently there is no test to be an administrator .
Female dealer, male pit boss......................... Connect the dots. Evidently there is no test to be an administrator .
Shed not for her
the bitter tear
Nor give the heart
to vain regret
Tis but the casket
that lies here,
The gem that filled it
Sparkles yet
May 22nd, 2014 at 5:43:24 PM
permalink
I can't believe you did that bro, harsh.
2/3
May 22nd, 2014 at 5:47:00 PM
permalink
I'm with the crowd, you did nothing wrong. It is like going to buy something, but it comes up more than you thought it was, and you politely decline to buy it after all because you misunderstood the price.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 22nd, 2014 at 5:52:34 PM
permalink
I've made that mistake before a few times (whether in the form of table limits, or even the wrong game) and the response has always been along the lines of, "Oh, I'm sorry. That's over there. Want me to change your chips out?"
The guy actually following you over is just weird though, and would have definitely made me uncomfortable. (Enough to pack up and leave... depends on how I'm doing.)
The guy actually following you over is just weird though, and would have definitely made me uncomfortable. (Enough to pack up and leave... depends on how I'm doing.)
May 22nd, 2014 at 5:57:55 PM
permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
May 22nd, 2014 at 5:58:03 PM
permalink
I've done the exact same thing at NYNY before. I told the dealer I didn't realize it was a 6-5 table. She was very polite about it and told me that they only had four 3-2 tables left and pointed me to where they were. Had anyone reacted the way that pitboss did I would have told them off.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
May 22nd, 2014 at 6:04:05 PM
permalink
Quote: IbeatyouracesWhen I was there last year, I've noticed more and more casinos don't even label the felt or have a sign dictating what a blackjack pays.
Where?
Every 6:5 game that I've ever seen has had a sign saying so, or it was printed on the felt.
3:2 games often have nothing printed, because that's what blackjack is supposed to pay -- it's the default rule.
May 22nd, 2014 at 6:35:34 PM
permalink
I've seen a few that are somewhat hiding the sign which I feel should be illegal. They have a little sign that says 6:5 blackjack and place it behind the shoe or the minimum sign so it's only visible to 1st or 3rd base or if you are actively looking.
May 22nd, 2014 at 6:45:00 PM
permalink
harsh? harsh on what?
the dealer is on hourly wages and do not get a cut on the win. she is probably happier sitting behind an empty table not having to deal.
the dealer is on hourly wages and do not get a cut on the win. she is probably happier sitting behind an empty table not having to deal.
May 22nd, 2014 at 7:27:31 PM
permalink
Thanks to everyone for their responses.
The 6-5 odds were printed on the felt so it was pretty obvious and therefore a bit of a schoolboy error on my part. That said, I was polite as I could be in declining the game but it felt that professionalism wasn't reciprocated.
There was no shuffling required; as someone said they were ready to go at this low limit table.
At the end of the day, it was their loss because I'd just snared a Royal Flush on video poker and therefore had some spending money...! Just a shame the IRS took 30% and I need to work out how to get in back...
The 6-5 odds were printed on the felt so it was pretty obvious and therefore a bit of a schoolboy error on my part. That said, I was polite as I could be in declining the game but it felt that professionalism wasn't reciprocated.
There was no shuffling required; as someone said they were ready to go at this low limit table.
At the end of the day, it was their loss because I'd just snared a Royal Flush on video poker and therefore had some spending money...! Just a shame the IRS took 30% and I need to work out how to get in back...
May 22nd, 2014 at 10:24:54 PM
permalink
You should have told him this,"I only play 3:2 bj because 6:5 bj isn't real bj". The 6:5 sucker jack deserves nothing but tumble weeds. Maybe they ll eventually figure out the customers aren't saps if people say what they're really thinking.
Am I supposed to feel guilty every time I pass by yet another empty roulette wheel? Maybe more casinos will start getting a clue and installing single 0 roulette.
Am I supposed to feel guilty every time I pass by yet another empty roulette wheel? Maybe more casinos will start getting a clue and installing single 0 roulette.
May 23rd, 2014 at 12:15:21 AM
permalink
I used to be the guy that would put up with playing the game until I got a bj and realized it only paid 6:5, then color up and walk away. Now I ask up front if I can't see any sign indicating it then I walk before playing. When it comes to your money, you must be vigilant and make a statement by not paying for it.
"Man Babes" #AxelFabulous
May 23rd, 2014 at 1:00:46 PM
permalink
In my last Vegas trip in December I sat down to play blackjack and realized I wasn't actually playing blackjack - it was one of those weird versions of BJ where I think I actually could be safe with a 22 - I don't really remember the game details but I quickly picked up my chips and told the dealer I was sorry, I thought this was a normal table. Then I find a $10 table, make sure it's actually BJ and start playing, about 5 hands later I hit BJ and then I realize it only pays 6-5.... ok, it was only 4 months since my last visit but I guess things have changed to where I need to read the fine print before I sit down! Anyway the dealers were nice about it and seemed to understand. This was in NYNY...
Heading downtown later that night it was nice to see they still had their share of 5/10 tables paying 3-2..... who knows what is in store when I visit in August, maybe 21 will be paying even money with a coupon for free fries at McDonalds (redeemable from 2-4AM only)
Heading downtown later that night it was nice to see they still had their share of 5/10 tables paying 3-2..... who knows what is in store when I visit in August, maybe 21 will be paying even money with a coupon for free fries at McDonalds (redeemable from 2-4AM only)
May 23rd, 2014 at 1:31:23 PM
permalink
Quote: andyg99Heading downtown later that night it was nice to see they still had their share of 5/10 tables paying 3-2..... who knows what is in store when I visit in August, maybe 21 will be paying even money with a coupon for free fries at McDonalds (redeemable from 2-4AM only)
I was over at Sam's Town last week where a dealer said they recently caught a guy wagering a free drink voucher and claimed it was a 10$ free bet. They noticed after the hand was resolved when the dealer was checking its value. (Why they didn't do so beforehand, I'm not sure.)
May 23rd, 2014 at 1:32:06 PM
permalink
I doubt I'd even remember the conversation by the time I got home. I'd probably just tell them you're welcome
I am a robot.
May 23rd, 2014 at 1:33:16 PM
permalink
Quote: VenthusI was over at Sam's Town last week where a dealer said they recently caught a guy wagering a free drink voucher and claimed it was a 10$ free bet. They noticed after the hand was resolved when the dealer was checking its value. (Why they didn't do so beforehand, I'm not sure.)
If he won, they should have given him 2 free drinks.
May 23rd, 2014 at 1:56:14 PM
permalink
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceIf he won, they should have given him 2 free drinks.
I agree. "Coupons play," regardless of whether it's a gaming coupon or not!
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
