Seating Position
(True AP's/Counter's obviously don't give a damn about where they sit...but this is for the "Superstitious Side of Blackjack" if you don't mind. Thanks for understanding in advance for this silly little post.)
Lot of great responses here about where people would sit and why. Including those of you with the facts and statistics to back it up. Nicely put everybody.
Quote: Edge21Of course your seat doesn't determine how the cards fall...but I was curious as too see how my fellow player's thought or felt about where they sat at a table or if the amount of people at a table affected their "luck" if you would. So please share if you believe that a certain seat helped you or if the amount of people at the game gave you misfortune.
(True AP's/Counter's obviously don't give a damn about where they sit...but this is for the "Superstitious Side of Blackjack" if you don't mind. Thanks for understanding in advance for this silly little post.)
I like to sit to the left, I like counting from that spot as othere peoples hands are resolved 1st.
For Poker Variants I'll choose by sitting next to my Personal Tutor who promptly thumps me over the head if I misplay.
Quote: Edge21
(True AP's/Counter's obviously don't give a damn about where they sit...but this is for the "Superstitious Side of Blackjack" if you don't mind. Thanks for understanding in advance for this silly little post.)
Sitting at first base has a VERY small advantage for counters.
That being said, controlling 2-3 spots to monopolize strong counts and depth charge when possible is significantly more valuable. So sit in the middle and do your shoulder workouts so no one sits next to you.
I play a lot of heads up.
Quote: Edge21Of course your seat doesn't determine how the cards fall...but I was curious as too see how my fellow player's thought or felt about where they sat at a table or if the amount of people at a table affected their "luck" if you would. So please share if you believe that a certain seat helped you or if the amount of people at the game gave you misfortune.
(True AP's/Counter's obviously don't give a damn about where they sit...but this is for the "Superstitious Side of Blackjack" if you don't mind. Thanks for understanding in advance for this silly little post.)
Lot of great responses here about where people would sit and why. Including those of you with the facts and statistics to back it up. Nicely put everybody.
Quote: mcallister3200Sitting at 3rd base actually has a slightly higher SCORE. I prefer the middle of the table so that I can be completely aware of my surroundings and just move my eyes, not turn my head/neck. If you have a little trouble with deck estimation, first or third base could be helpful as you have the shoe or discard tray right in front of you. If there's a smoker at the table, as far away as possible from him/her is the ideal spot.
Damn! You get to pick your seat? Don't know where all you guys are playing but usually when I show up I have to wait for someone to die to get a seat at the table. In all seriousness, I have never helped anyone die so I could get their seat, I just wait, and that is official. 2F
Quote: MintyIt's amazing how much strategy goes into something as simple as picking a spot! Definitely hearing good reasons!
I like sitting at 3rd base if it's the only seat available. The pit sees I sat there because, well, it was the only seat available. But it's the I'm-a-new-card-counter- and-want-to-see-all-the-cards-before-I-make-a-decision seat. So I don't sit there if I have a choice.
When the count justifies a raise for the next hand, I don't like being last to act because the count usually drops by the time it gets to me, making the raise an over bet compared to the current count. The count could continue rising, but I'd rather be first to act according to the count I raised for and when the deck is rich.
For shoe games, since the cards are dealt face up, it doesn't matter where you sit as long as you can see all the cards clearly without making it seem like you're leaning over the table. I prefer middle positions because of this. If you're at first or third, it may be hard to see cards from the opposite end.
Quote: ShadowlessFor pitch, I rarely play with other people but I like to sit at first base when I do.
When the count justifies a raise for the next hand, I don't like being last to act because the count usually drops by the time it gets to me, making the raise an over bet compared to the current count. The count could continue rising, but I'd rather be first to act according to the count I raised for and when the deck is rich.
Huh? What do you mean? If you're saying the count (True Count) decreases, or tends to graduate towards 0 when more cards are dealt....well that's not true. If you mean something else, please explain.
Quote: ShadowlessFor shoe games, since the cards are dealt face up, it doesn't matter where you sit as long as you can see all the cards clearly without making it seem like you're leaning over the table. I prefer middle positions because of this. If you're at first or third, it may be hard to see cards from the opposite end.
Agreed, even with pitch games. But with pitch games, the dealer oftentimes turns the cards over quickly then throws 'em in the discard rack. Since they use their right hand for this, their hand can block a third baseman's view of the cards. I don't like being at first position or last position because of that. I much rather be in the center of the table.
Assuming I can't do that? Eh, 3rd base I guess. I too like to see the card before anyone else (purely for the results of the hand)... and hey, 3rd base is where all the counters sit, right?!?!
I've found that the table-coaches or ploppies who want everyone else to do what they want -- in my experience, is usually only on face-up games. In pitch games, there is much less of that. That is, of course, unless you do something like split tens.
Doesn't matter if it's in a group or heads-up, although heads-up I'll often take spot 3 on a 7 spot table.
According to my subjective and highly inaccurate observations, it's higher HPH, shoe or pitch.
Quote: RSHuh? What do you mean? If you're saying the count (True Count) decreases, or tends to graduate towards 0 when more cards are dealt....well that's not true. If you mean something else, please explain.
It is only true if the remaining pack is rich in tens. The count must go back to zero in a balanced count. If the remaining cards are rich in tens, those tens are likely to be drawn from the players before you if they need to hit/split/double. Thus, when it gets to third base, the true count may fall to a count where a minimum bet makes more sense, making the raised bet unjustified especially if you have a non-15/16 stiff vs a face. Of course, the count could still rise by the time it gets to third base, making the bet acceptable. Or, you could be dealt a pat hand and not have to worry.
Quote: ShadowlessIt is only true if the remaining pack is rich in tens. The count must go back to zero in a balanced count. If the remaining cards are rich in tens, those tens are likely to be drawn from the players before you if they need to hit/split/double. Thus, when it gets to third base, the true count may fall to a count where a minimum bet makes more sense, making the raised bet unjustified especially if you have a non-15/16 stiff vs a face. Of course, the count could still rise by the time it gets to third base, making the bet acceptable. Or, you could be dealt a pat hand and not have to worry.
The True Count tends to stay the same, not gravitate to zero (if it is non-zero). The running count will tend towards 0.
It doesn't matter where you're sitting, if you begin a round at a TC of +4, every seat at the table has the same advantage at the beginning of the round. Sit wherever you want, but first base and third base are EXACTLY the same when it comes to betting.
Third base is a sliver better than first when it comes to playing efficiency, only because every time he acts, he gets to see an extra 0-5 cards (deeper pen, if you will) than the first base player.
