Dealer-Speak Interpretation

A few days ago, I was playing Blackjack at a full table, and everybody was having a great time. The dealer was funny and charming, and she kept busting, so our table was cheering every hand. Then, she was relieved by a crotchety old dealer, and our good luck ended. The table played silently for a while, then one of the players made some kind of snide comment about the dealer. I'm not even sure the dealer heard what he said, as I couldn't even hear him clearly from just two seats away, but the dealer started hitting 20's and 21's soon after. One by one, the players got up and left, leaving just one other player besides me with the grumpy dealer.

After a couple more hands, the other player stood up and scooped up her chips, saying "I should probably leave now."

The dealer retorted, "You should've left four hands ago," and then turned to me and said, "You should probably leave too."

I chuckled and said, "You've still got me! I have faith in you!"

The dealer then leaned closer to me, looked me in the eye, and said, "No, you should really leave."

I was a little taken aback by her directness, so I picked up my chips and followed the player who had just left to a different table.

I can't tell what the dealer meant with what she said. Is it possible she was offended by whatever that first guy said and started cheating? Or maybe she could tell I was keeping a count? (I didn't draw any heat at the next table) Or perhaps, she saw I was down after a few bad hands and was advising me to stop playing and save my money?

I'm still a little shaken today, and next time I head out to that casino, I'll probably avoid her as best as I can.

Quote: limey250

A few days ago, I was playing Blackjack at a full table, and everybody was having a great time. The dealer was funny and charming, and she kept busting, so our table was cheering every hand. Then, she was relieved by a crotchety old dealer, and our good luck ended. The table played silently for a while, then one of the players made some kind of snide comment about the dealer. I'm not even sure the dealer heard what he said, as I couldn't even hear him clearly from just two seats away, but the dealer started hitting 20's and 21's soon after. One by one, the players got up and left, leaving just one other player besides me with the grumpy dealer.

After a couple more hands, the other player stood up and scooped up her chips, saying "I should probably leave now."

The dealer retorted, "You should've left four hands ago," and then turned to me and said, "You should probably leave too."

I chuckled and said, "You've still got me! I have faith in you!"

The dealer then leaned closer to me, looked me in the eye, and said, "No, you should really leave."

I was a little taken aback by her directness, so I picked up my chips and followed the player who had just left to a different table.

I can't tell what the dealer meant with what she said. Is it possible she was offended by whatever that first guy said and started cheating? Or maybe she could tell I was keeping a count? (I didn't draw any heat at the next table) Or perhaps, she saw I was down after a few bad hands and was advising me to stop playing and save my money?

I'm still a little shaken today, and next time I head out to that casino, I'll probably avoid her as best as I can.

I'm sure the dealer was just being a jackass.

When I was Pit Boss I once approached a table and asked how a couple was doing. They said the dealer was killing them and they didn't think the dealer liked them very much. I kind of laughed to try and defuse the situation. I told them the dealer was a nice guy and I then asked the dealer, you like these people don't you? As dry and serious as anyone could ever be he says "No". Tough to recover from that. :)


ZCore13

Dealers are the biggest believers in gambler's fallacy. He was just sure he was going to keep on making 20-21 and didn't enjoy seeing you consistently lose.

Or... he didn't want to work and was hoping you would leave, leaving him with an empty table.

All good points... I was probably over-thinking things.

If I had to deal cards, slightly bent over, in a smokey casino for 8 hours a day for crap tips I too would vie for an empty table.

Crap, ( not craps ), I'll go with a grumpy dealer at an empty table anytime/anywhere. I can make them smile, even when they don't want to, it's the feathered trademark.

Quote: Donuts

If I had to deal cards, slightly bent over, in a smokey casino for 8 hours a day for shit tips I too would vie for an empty table.

You meant to say 'jhitty tips', I'm pretty sure that's what you meant to say, pretty Fing sure!

Quote: ahiromu

Dealers are the biggest believers in gambler's fallacy. He was just sure he was going to keep on making 20-21 and didn't enjoy seeing you consistently lose.

Or... he didn't want to work and was hoping you would leave, leaving him with an empty table.

I'd bet it was this. He just didn't want to work. No conspiracy. Just a dealer who didn't want to be there that day. I've had it happen lots of times. But never so directly that a dealer actually told me to leave his/her table.

It's too bad that as a card counter, you don't want attention drawn to yourself, because if ever there was a dealer that needs a report, it's this one.