Buying in in the middle of a deck?

Having never played double-deck (or single-deck, for that matter) at a casino before, I was not aware that this was a "thing," but when I tried to buy in, I was told by the dealer that I couldn't buy in in the middle of the deck. I can see why - it stops somebody from joining a game after receiving a signal that the count is favorable - but is this a common policy at most casinos?

Quote: ThatDonGuy

Having never played double-deck (or single-deck, for that matter) at a casino before, I was not aware that this was a "thing," but when I tried to buy in, I was told by the dealer that I couldn't buy in in the middle of the deck. I can see why - it stops somebody from joining a game after receiving a signal that the count is favorable - but is this a common policy at most casinos?
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I don't know how common it is, but it has been happening for over 20 years in many places.

Usually there is a “no midshoe entry” sign posted on the table of these double deck games. They want to deter card counting mainly. They also force players to play all without sitting out a hand.

Quote: aceside

They also force players to play all without sitting out a hand.
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I've seen where a player can sit out, but not jump back in until the next shoe. Is that what you mean?

First of all, double-deck blackjack games are scarce in this country, so it’s hard to sit in. Second, these games are closely watched by game protections. If a player sits out too often, they will back him off.

Quote: aceside

First of all, double-deck blackjack games are scarce in this country, so it’s hard to sit in. Second, these games are closely watched by game protections. If a player sits out too often, they will back him off.
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Does a casino's game protection processes keep track of the count? I would think someone who sits out then comes back in when the count is bad would not be hassled unless other players are waiting for the seat.

Casinos are dumb. They just back off whoever took their money.

Quote: smoothgrh

Does a casino's game protection processes keep track of the count? I would think someone who sits out then comes back in when the count is bad would not be hassled unless other players are waiting for the seat.
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The moment you let one player come back in mid-shoe, everyone at the table is going to take notice and demand the same treatment going forward. That's why "No mid-shoe entry" is and should be treated as black and white.

I couldn't even get change for chips mid-shoe. I had 4 white chips and 4 quarters, trying to get a red chip. They also said they don't do partial colorups, so I tried to bet with the 4 quarters & 4 whites in the stack, but they said no quarters in the stack, so I took them down. I had been betting with the $2.50 chips and hit BJ on a few of them so they were handing out an extra $1.25 for those. I had up to 10 $2.50 chips in front of me. Then I got told by the pit I couldn't have any chips on the felt in front of me unless it was a bet. I had been spreading chips out in stacks on the felt way behind the betting circles. I had to put my chips in the marble black part of the table where beer bottle holders usually go. I asked the pit later if I could bring my own plastic rack to put chips in, they said no. Nothing is to be on the table like that. It would fit in the area they told me to put my chips, why not a rack? They're very touchy. Meanwhile at least one person was betting $10 on Match The Dealer for every player. He would just toss each player $10 and say bet for him, then when it hit, he would want his money back, but if it's a big win of over $100 he might let you keep $10. Another player tried to do the same thing then it got confusing as to whose bet was whose, and the language got so damn filthy. Never let two people make that bet again on my spot. I almost won $5,000 on the Spanish 21 super bonus but the dealer didn't have my suited 7 of clubs. Well, I looked it up, I need 3 suited 7's against a dealer any 7 and the odds are over 1 in 500,000. If the dealer had a 7 up, I would still need to draw another 7 of clubs.
People were floating onto the table and off of it constantly. Usually bad hands and last bets would make them leave. At one point I was heads up with the dealer for a shoe. Not just 10 minutes earlier the table was packed.