Table Position

I probably already know the answer to this but how important is table position.. i usually like to sit on first base or third base. but Ive noticed that not matter what table i play on the middle seats seam to hit blackjack more often. is there any relevance to these positions?

Quote: kauboj

I probably already know the answer to this but how important is table position.. i usually like to sit on first base or third base. but Ive noticed that not matter what table i play on the middle seats seam to hit blackjack more often. is there any relevance to these positions?

For it to matter there would have to be some way of knowing what cards were coming out in what sequence. You may be familiar with arguments that someone here messed up someone's hand there by "taking his card" etc., but that is nonsense it seems. Such people who think like that would like Ancient Greek plays, where the gods got involved in everyday events; today they would stack the deck I guess.

I wonder where someone should sit in order to avoid getting criticized for making what is perceived to be the wrong play?

i know it sounds absurd but ive played at a dozen different tables at my casino and it always seems to me that the 3rd and 4th seats hot the blackjacks the most. for instance last night i was playing spanish 21 and the 3rd and 4th seats hit about 5 blackjacks each in about 2 hours where as the 1st 2nd 5th and 6th never hit a blackjack the entire time. of course neither did the dealer so that was good for the plays

Quote: kauboj

i know it sounds absurd but ive played at a dozen different tables at my casino and it always seems to me that the 3rd and 4th seats hot the blackjacks the most. for instance last night i was playing spanish 21 and the 3rd and 4th seats hit about 5 blackjacks each in about 2 hours where as the 1st 2nd 5th and 6th never hit a blackjack the entire time. of course neither did the dealer so that was good for the plays

You have to realize that such observations mean less than nothing. At a full table, someone (the dealer included) will get a blackjack roughly once every three rounds. This means that a lot of blackjacks will be dealt in a short time. For instance, even at a slow pace (60 hands/hr), there will be roughly 20 blackjacks dealt. But they will NOT be given out "evenly"--some people will get four or more, some people will get one or none, etc. This will appear to be because a given person or a given seat is "lucky" or "unlucky", but in reality, there's no such thing as "luck"--only random distributions.

Our primate brains have this annoying tendency to try to find patterns in all phenomena, so when the lady with the red hat wins nine out of ten hands, and another lady with a red hat sits down and wins twelve hands in a row, we tend to think, "hmmmm.....maybe I should wear a red hat, too".

Quote: kauboj

I probably already know the answer to this but how important is table position.. i usually like to sit on first base or third base. but Ive noticed that not matter what table i play on the middle seats seam to hit blackjack more often. is there any relevance to these positions?

Everyone including the dealer will get a blackjack 1 out of 21 hands in the long run. It makes absolutely no difference where you sit so choose the seat that makes you most comfortable and enjoy. Don't let selective memory creep into your thinking.

I'm assuming basic strategy in your case. AP's such as card counters and hole carders may have reasons for choosing certain seats.

You are correct that first or third base are the best table positions. The middle seats tend to get a bit more crowded, so being on the end gives you a little bit more room. Also, you usually have a little extra drink space on the table and don't have to worry about someone else knocking over your drink.

The only other time I could see table position being relevant is in a poker game, particularly if you know one or more of the other players in the game well.

bearing in mind that I have not been playing BJ at casinos yet, but plan to, I'm a bit confused. Wikipedia says there are usually about 7 seats. Anybody want to clarify what is meant by first base / third base?

Quote: odiousgambit

bearing in mind that I have not been playing BJ at casinos yet, but plan to, I'm a bit confused. Wikipedia says there are usually about 7 seats. Anybody want to clarify what is meant by first base / third base?

First base is at the dealers extreme left and is the first player to be dealt to and the first to act. Third base is to the dealers extreme right and is the last player to act.

Quote: odiousgambit

bearing in mind that I have not been playing BJ at casinos yet, but plan to, I'm a bit confused. Wikipedia says there are usually about 7 seats. Anybody want to clarify what is meant by first base / third base?

Ahhhh, that definitive source, Wikipedia...

Most newer BJ tables now have six seats. Of course, there are still many seven-seat tables extant, but they really can't accomodate seven full-size chairs. If you're on a seven-seat game, and at first or third base, you often find yourself being squeezed halfway into the pit.

My preference is for first or third base simply because I have 50% less chance of winding up sitting next to a smoker, and having to leave. And I prefer third base to first because I can make my decision after seeing a dozen-plus cards. (And if I infuriate the table by hitting on 12 vs. a 3 and "taking the dealer's bust card", so much the better.)