Worst plays you've ever witnessed
February 26th, 2012 at 10:58:22 PM
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There's common mistakes that people make, and then there's staying on 12-13 against a dealer high card, which I have seen before. Next-closest would probably be doubling down on 6 (against a bust card, but still...). I almost saw someone split fives, but she finally decided to double-down.
February 26th, 2012 at 11:09:25 PM
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Don't know if this counts, but many years ago when I was dealing I had a guy betting a few hundred one hand and the minimum on the spots before it and after it. He had some sort of system where he'd use the minimum hands to eat cards. This meant staying on a hard 8, hitting 20s, you name it and he probably did it. I don't believe he was even attempting any sort of advantage play as the massive losses he was taking on the other hands would eat any legitimate edge.
The most common one I saw when dealing was people staying on soft totals below 17. I would gently try to explain why it wouldn't make their hand any worse but you can only say so much. The problem was that if you insisted they hit and they "took my bust card" I'd look like an ass.
The most common one I saw when dealing was people staying on soft totals below 17. I would gently try to explain why it wouldn't make their hand any worse but you can only say so much. The problem was that if you insisted they hit and they "took my bust card" I'd look like an ass.
February 26th, 2012 at 11:19:38 PM
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Was playing at a $25 blackjack table and this dude comes over and announces to the table that he just lost 800 in 5 minutes in roulette. He buys 500 in green, bets 300 on the first hand. Gets a 15 vs. dealer's 8, pulls out another hundred from a wad in his pocket and says double down. Dealer says to him "you must know something that I don't know". Deals him a 10 for 25. Guy curses under his breath and leaves the table. UN-believable what some people will do with their money.
February 26th, 2012 at 11:19:39 PM
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Quote: PopCanThe most common one I saw when dealing was people staying on hard totals below 17.
Sometimes depending on the count and dealer card, I've stayed on hard 15's and 16's all the time. Works well. Supposed "expert" players who are sitting next to me scoff at me depending on what casino I'm at. They can shove it as I color up.
February 26th, 2012 at 11:22:33 PM
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Quote: winmonkeyspit3Was playing at a $25 blackjack table and this dude comes over and announces to the table that he just lost 800 in 5 minutes in roulette. He buys 500 in green, bets 300 on the first hand. Gets a 15 vs. dealer's 8, pulls out another hundred from a wad in his pocket and says double down. Dealer says to him "you must know something that I don't know". Deals him a 10 for 25. Guy curses under his breath and leaves the table. UN-believable what some people will do with their money.
I wonder what this roulette player's name was. :)
The above example is just a good example of playing with your "heart" and not your head.
February 26th, 2012 at 11:23:52 PM
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Quote: YoDiceRoll11Sometimes depending on the count and dealer card, I've stayed on hard 15's and 16's all the time. Works well. Supposed "expert" players who are sitting next to me scoff at me depending on what casino I'm at. They can shove it as I color up.
Wasn't paying attention and wrote "hard" when I meant "staying on soft totals below 17". Edited.
February 26th, 2012 at 11:54:12 PM
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Well I've got one that trumps anything so far, although doubling on a hard 15 is pretty awesomely hilarious.
I was playing a $10 face-down DD game and some guy and his wife? girlfriend? mistress? not sure came in and sat down, and she had never played blackjack before in her life, obviously. She was having a hell of a time with the face-down signals (scratch the felt, tuck the cards, etc.) and the dealer kept having to tell her what to do, and she wouldn't do it, and the dealer would have to tell her again, and eventually actually demonstrate with this idiot woman's cards what to do.
Anyway the best came when the woman takes a hit, gets a face card (I think) and then tucks her cards (amazing she figured out these actions). When the dealer comes around and reveals all the hole cards after resolving her hard, she reveals this woman had an ace...and a face card in her hand. Yep, she took a hit on a blackjack.
She won the hand with a total of 21 but was only paid even money, of course.
The most annoying thing is that this woman kept asking the dealer if she was new, because she "kept making so many mistakes." The dealer had to keep calling the pit boss over to make sure it was okay to give this woman another card or figure out what to do when she accidentally gave her a card BECAUSE THE WOMAN KEPT EFFING UP THE SIGNALS. And she had the audacity to think it was the dealer's fault and ask if she was new. Ugh.
I was playing a $10 face-down DD game and some guy and his wife? girlfriend? mistress? not sure came in and sat down, and she had never played blackjack before in her life, obviously. She was having a hell of a time with the face-down signals (scratch the felt, tuck the cards, etc.) and the dealer kept having to tell her what to do, and she wouldn't do it, and the dealer would have to tell her again, and eventually actually demonstrate with this idiot woman's cards what to do.
Anyway the best came when the woman takes a hit, gets a face card (I think) and then tucks her cards (amazing she figured out these actions). When the dealer comes around and reveals all the hole cards after resolving her hard, she reveals this woman had an ace...and a face card in her hand. Yep, she took a hit on a blackjack.
She won the hand with a total of 21 but was only paid even money, of course.
The most annoying thing is that this woman kept asking the dealer if she was new, because she "kept making so many mistakes." The dealer had to keep calling the pit boss over to make sure it was okay to give this woman another card or figure out what to do when she accidentally gave her a card BECAUSE THE WOMAN KEPT EFFING UP THE SIGNALS. And she had the audacity to think it was the dealer's fault and ask if she was new. Ugh.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
March 10th, 2012 at 6:15:57 AM
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A few new ones:
Staying on 7-7 against a 6
Hitting 12 against a 6 (and then hitting again after getting a small card)
Doubling down on 5
Staying on 7-7 against a 6
Hitting 12 against a 6 (and then hitting again after getting a small card)
Doubling down on 5
March 10th, 2012 at 6:24:37 AM
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This doesn't count as a bad play but it does count as horrible luck. I was playing Texas Hold'em Bonus at the Four Queens. They have a progressive bonus that pays off if you hit certain poker hands and you get the jackpot if you flop a royal. The jackpot was $82,000 and the lady next to me flopped a royal but she wasn't playing the bonus.
That would ruin my weekend if it happened to me.
That would ruin my weekend if it happened to me.
Someday, joor goin' to see the name of Googie Gomez in lights and joor goin' to say to joorself, "Was that her?" and then joor goin' to answer to joorself, "That was her!" But you know somethin' mister? I was always her yuss nobody knows it! - Googie Gomez
March 10th, 2012 at 7:12:58 AM
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When I did my Hooters review some guy at my table hit a soft 20. I think he thought it was a 10. What bothered me is the dealer just gave him the card without a friendly warning, as a good dealer would do.
A mistake I've seen lots of times is standing on soft totals under 17. For example soft 16 against a 5. I think it is faulty advice behind this of other gambling writers who say "the object of blackjack is to get as close 21 to as possible without going over." No, the object is to beat the dealer, without going over. A 16 is no better than a 0. With a soft 16, there is no risk to taking another card. The worst that will happen is you'll still be under 17, but there is a 38.5% chance of improving.
A mistake I've seen lots of times is standing on soft totals under 17. For example soft 16 against a 5. I think it is faulty advice behind this of other gambling writers who say "the object of blackjack is to get as close 21 to as possible without going over." No, the object is to beat the dealer, without going over. A 16 is no better than a 0. With a soft 16, there is no risk to taking another card. The worst that will happen is you'll still be under 17, but there is a 38.5% chance of improving.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 10th, 2012 at 7:18:32 AM
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I was at a Spanish 21 table where this guy would double down on a hard 12 when the dealer showed a "bust" card.
Man Babes #AxelFabulous
March 10th, 2012 at 7:46:41 AM
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Quote: FourFiveFaceA few new ones:
Staying on 7-7 against a 6
Hitting 12 against a 6 (and then hitting again after getting a small card)
Doubling down on 5
If those are the worst plays you've ever seen, then you really haven't played a lot of BJ. Other than the doubling on a 5, none of those plays are THAT terrible.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
March 10th, 2012 at 7:54:01 AM
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I was covering my action at a table full of college guys last weekend
and saw all of the following moves in the course of the night.
Hitting hard 17 vs. 8
Standing on 14 vs. 9
Doubling on 5-3 vs. J
Splitting 4-4 vs. 7
Splitting 9-9 vs. A
and saw all of the following moves in the course of the night.
Hitting hard 17 vs. 8
Standing on 14 vs. 9
Doubling on 5-3 vs. J
Splitting 4-4 vs. 7
Splitting 9-9 vs. A
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
March 10th, 2012 at 8:33:32 AM
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I hope this was in California and you were banking.Quote: WongBoI was covering my action at a table full of college guys last weekend
and saw all of the following moves in the course of the night.
Hitting hard 17 vs. 8
Standing on 14 vs. 9
Doubling on 5-3 vs. J
Splitting 4-4 vs. 7
Splitting 9-9 vs. A
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
March 10th, 2012 at 8:36:13 AM
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Last night, emerald casino in curaçao. Guy doubles hard 15 against a dealer jack. Pulls a 6!!!
This of course reinforces to him that he should always double down in precarious situations, and loses the next three times he does it.
This of course reinforces to him that he should always double down in precarious situations, and loses the next three times he does it.
March 10th, 2012 at 9:32:20 AM
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deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
March 10th, 2012 at 9:46:00 AM
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Maybe you split 9's and make these other plays, but you would be in the minority.
What count are using that says to split 9-9 vs A?
What count are using that says to split 9-9 vs A?
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:29:37 PM
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WongBo
For AOII, split 9's vs. an A at +9 & up for S17 game.
Dog Hand
For AOII, split 9's vs. an A at +9 & up for S17 game.
Dog Hand
March 10th, 2012 at 2:34:50 PM
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A guy on my table doubled down on a hard 17 when I explained to him that is a very risky move. He got the 4. I think I have told this story a few times on this board.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:53:56 PM
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My girlfriend does stupid stuff like this (Teddys is a witness). Of course she gets the four and says "see? basic strategy is bullsh!t". All I can do is shake my head. A significant other who refuses to play basic strategy is grounds for a breakup/divorce.
Video blackjack machines tend to attract bad blackjack players. Standing on soft 13s, doubling on stiffs and splitting 10s every opportunity they get is pretty normal on the weekends. I was playing with a cowboy who refused to play when the Asian dealer on the screen came up. He was convinced that she was somehow cheating him.
Video blackjack machines tend to attract bad blackjack players. Standing on soft 13s, doubling on stiffs and splitting 10s every opportunity they get is pretty normal on the weekends. I was playing with a cowboy who refused to play when the Asian dealer on the screen came up. He was convinced that she was somehow cheating him.
100% risk of ruin
March 10th, 2012 at 3:19:46 PM
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Quote: AcesAndEightsWell I've got one that trumps anything so far, although doubling on a hard 15 is pretty awesomely hilarious.
I was playing a $10 face-down DD game and some guy and his wife? girlfriend? mistress? not sure came in and sat down, and she had never played blackjack before in her life, obviously. She was having a hell of a time with the face-down signals (scratch the felt, tuck the cards, etc.) and the dealer kept having to tell her what to do, and she wouldn't do it, and the dealer would have to tell her again, and eventually actually demonstrate with this idiot woman's cards what to do.
Anyway the best came when the woman takes a hit, gets a face card (I think) and then tucks her cards (amazing she figured out these actions). When the dealer comes around and reveals all the hole cards after resolving her hard, she reveals this woman had an ace...and a face card in her hand. Yep, she took a hit on a blackjack.
She won the hand with a total of 21 but was only paid even money, of course.
Hah, great photo. I'm too intimidated to play a face-down blackjack game. I'm worried I'll mistakenly grab the cards with two hands and the dealer will banish me to hades for eternity. Thanks to the Wizards videos I took a chance at 3CP. I checked my hand like I normally would at a live poker game and the dealer went berzerk. He said I bent the cards too much. They had to bring in a whole new deck. Really bad play.
100% risk of ruin
March 10th, 2012 at 3:28:35 PM
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Quote: WongBoI was covering my action at a table full of college guys last weekend
and saw all of the following moves in the course of the night.
Hitting hard 17 vs. 8
Standing on 14 vs. 9
Doubling on 5-3 vs. J
Splitting 4-4 vs. 7
Splitting 9-9 vs. A
That was a typo...it was 9-9 vs. Q
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
March 10th, 2012 at 3:34:58 PM
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There's a new variant called Freebet Blackjack (there's a thread elsewhere) but essentially the house puts up the bet if you double or split but standoff on 22. It means you split (A2346789) and double everything (9-11). Thus it's great fun to be able to make stupid plays that are in fact correct. I played it last weekend but never got a hard 17 (which you should sometimes hit!). It's great fun as a game and also helps the drunkards as they no longer make doubles they have to pay for, so actually only double 9-11!
March 10th, 2012 at 4:35:48 PM
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I've seen more bad plays on Blackjack than I care to remember... however, a dealer was telling me a story on Spanish that was really stupid.
A guy gets the 7-7 Suited against a dealer 7. If he draws a third suited 7, he wins $1000, and everybody at the table wins $50. The guy REFUSED to hit the 7-7 with only a $15 bet up. He didn't draw the 7, but the dealer and other players begged him not to make the split.
A guy gets the 7-7 Suited against a dealer 7. If he draws a third suited 7, he wins $1000, and everybody at the table wins $50. The guy REFUSED to hit the 7-7 with only a $15 bet up. He didn't draw the 7, but the dealer and other players begged him not to make the split.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
March 11th, 2012 at 3:32:48 AM
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Quote: WongBo...saw...
(i) Hitting hard 17 vs. 8 ...
(v) Splitting 9-9 vs. A
Actually while these look bad plays, on rare occasions it can be correct to hit a hard 17 vs 8 and I'm told in the US if the count is high it's worth splitting 9s vs A. I see standing on 14 all the time in the UK - I think it must be based on pontoon or a basic desire to stay in the game.
March 11th, 2012 at 4:37:32 AM
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Quote: charliepatrickActually while these look bad plays, on rare occasions it can be correct to hit a hard 17 vs 8 and I'm told in the US if the count is high it's worth splitting 9s vs A. I see standing on 14 all the time in the UK - I think it must be based on pontoon or a basic desire to stay in the game.
I'd like to think that I'd be long gone before I had to consider hitting a hard 17 against an 8.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
March 11th, 2012 at 8:25:04 AM
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Worst play I've seen is at the Bellagio, drunk girl at 3rd base doubles a soft 20 against a 9, and pulls the Ace.
-----
You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
March 11th, 2012 at 8:48:24 AM
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Did she then double down on the eleven?!
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:27:46 AM
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I played blackjack this morning with a personable young man who came as close to mimicking the dealer as I have ever seen and I've seen plenty. He would ask the table for advice but never take it. He didn't directly ask me so I adhered to my long standing policy of keeping quiet. I won't bore everyone with specific hands just use your imaginations.
Once it was just the two of us at the table, he asked me to let him know when he should play three hands. I told him that whenever I stopped playing would be a good time.
I enjoyed playing with him and he helped me in a couple of ways by eating cards in negative counts and driving everyone else away from the table. I wish I could clone this guy!
Once it was just the two of us at the table, he asked me to let him know when he should play three hands. I told him that whenever I stopped playing would be a good time.
I enjoyed playing with him and he helped me in a couple of ways by eating cards in negative counts and driving everyone else away from the table. I wish I could clone this guy!
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
March 12th, 2012 at 10:32:23 AM
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I once saw a guy playing roulette in a casino.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:39:25 AM
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Quote: WizardWhen I did my Hooters review some guy at my table hit a soft 20. I think he thought it was a 10. What bothered me is the dealer just gave him the card without a friendly warning, as a good dealer would do.
A mistake I've seen lots of times is standing on soft totals under 17. For example soft 16 against a 5. I think it is faulty advice behind this of other gambling writers who say "the object of blackjack is to get as close 21 to as possible without going over." No, the object is to beat the dealer, without going over. A 16 is no better than a 0. With a soft 16, there is no risk to taking another card. The worst that will happen is you'll still be under 17, but there is a 38.5% chance of improving.
I was at an Indian casino several weeks ago. Double deck pitch. Dealer had just busted and turned over 3rd bade who had A3. An expert sitting to my left remarked " You stayed on 4 ? " But then added: " Oh, the dealer had a 5 up and was supposed to bust. Sorry, I forgot that." LOL
March 12th, 2012 at 10:46:45 AM
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Worst plays :
I had a friend who was unemployed at the time. I lent him $100 to play BJ at Ac. We started at $5. When he was up about $20, he started playing two hands of $10. Before long he was playing 2 hands of $25. Playing Basic, but if the first handed busted, he would not hit the second hand if he could possibly bust it. I know I know DUMB. I kept telling myself that as he parlayed that $100 to $2300. When they had shift change and brought in new cards I insisted he leave. It was after midnight and babysitter was expecting us back in Baltimore already.
After cashing we were heading out and he was begging to stay. Then he made me an offer I could not refuse. He would spot me $100 for my action and we would leave after one hot shoe. Well, that first shoe was the hot one. He was playing $25 a hand, 2 hands , same dumb strategy. I won $80 and the fool left with $3800. LOL
I had a friend who was unemployed at the time. I lent him $100 to play BJ at Ac. We started at $5. When he was up about $20, he started playing two hands of $10. Before long he was playing 2 hands of $25. Playing Basic, but if the first handed busted, he would not hit the second hand if he could possibly bust it. I know I know DUMB. I kept telling myself that as he parlayed that $100 to $2300. When they had shift change and brought in new cards I insisted he leave. It was after midnight and babysitter was expecting us back in Baltimore already.
After cashing we were heading out and he was begging to stay. Then he made me an offer I could not refuse. He would spot me $100 for my action and we would leave after one hot shoe. Well, that first shoe was the hot one. He was playing $25 a hand, 2 hands , same dumb strategy. I won $80 and the fool left with $3800. LOL
March 12th, 2012 at 10:53:09 AM
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Quote: buzzpaffWorst plays :
I had a friend who was unemployed at the time. I lent him $100 to play BJ at Ac. We started at $5. When he was up about $20, he started playing two hands of $10. Before long he was playing 2 hands of $25. Playing Basic, but if the first handed busted, he would not hit the second hand if he could possibly bust it. I know I know DUMB. I kept telling myself that as he parlayed that $100 to $2300. When they had shift change and brought in new cards I insisted he leave. It was after midnight and babysitter was expecting us back in Baltimore already.
After cashing we were heading out and he was begging to stay. Then he made me an offer I could not refuse. He would spot me $100 for my action and we would leave after one hot shoe. Well, that first shoe was the hot one. He was playing $25 a hand, 2 hands , same dumb strategy. I won $80 and the fool left with $3800. LOL
What, you don't make $3800 with a $100 bankroll? LOL
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
March 12th, 2012 at 11:00:45 AM
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I know I know. Trying doing that the right way? ROFLMAO
March 12th, 2012 at 11:03:16 AM
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I've seen worse than this one, but it happened recently at a Spanish 21 table and gave me a good chuckle.
Older guy who has been pounding back beers for a couple hours since 11am goes to double his 12 against a dealer bust card. He slides up 3 or 4 reds to match the stack. Dealer announces "doubling 12 for less". Guy laughs and says "It's not for less!". Dealer says "sure it is", and deals the card: NINE. Everyone celebrates. Dealer reveals the GREEN chip hiding under the small stack of reds in the main betting circle and pays the slightly humbled but still very happy drunk guy.
Older guy who has been pounding back beers for a couple hours since 11am goes to double his 12 against a dealer bust card. He slides up 3 or 4 reds to match the stack. Dealer announces "doubling 12 for less". Guy laughs and says "It's not for less!". Dealer says "sure it is", and deals the card: NINE. Everyone celebrates. Dealer reveals the GREEN chip hiding under the small stack of reds in the main betting circle and pays the slightly humbled but still very happy drunk guy.
Wisdom is the quality that keeps you out of situations where you would otherwise need it
March 12th, 2012 at 11:27:38 AM
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This week a guy joined our table. He would signal to hit every hand. When he tried to hit his 20, we figured out that he didn't know the hand signal for stand, so we taught him that. But then he would stand only on 18 or more regardless of the dealer's up card. Two players cashed out without saying anything, but we knew why they left. Two players joined the table and one of them immediately spoke up to the bad player. I was expecting him to say, "The dealer had a 6 and you hit 12! You're costing us money!", but instead he spoke nicely saying, "You're hitting too much. You're costing yourself money. You should research this game before playing it." It was surprising to hear a blackjack player speaking so reasonably! The other new player replied, "I'll keep an eye on him and help him out," and this expert immediately stood on 14 vs the dealer's 8.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:28:21 AM
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Harrahs New Orleans a couple of young Asian guys come up and sit at the BJ table. They had had a few cocktails and they were doubling everything from a six to fifteen. At first they hit a couple and the pit boss came over, but it was apperant after losing their next bunch of hands they had no idea what they were doing.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:34:42 AM
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You'd think the dealer would get the bet resolved before dealing, since it was apparent the player did not intend to double for less.Quote: dwheatleyOlder guy who has been pounding back beers for a couple hours since 11am goes to double his 12 against a dealer bust card. He slides up 3 or 4 reds to match the stack. Dealer announces "doubling 12 for less". Guy laughs and says "It's not for less!". Dealer says "sure it is", and deals the card...
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
March 31st, 2012 at 2:02:42 PM
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A couple days ago while playing at the Mirage, I surrendered a 15 vs dealer 10. A player at the table asked "What's surrender?" and the dealer explained. A few hands later, the same guy surrendered 9,9 vs dealer 4. That's probably the worst I've seen.
"I don't have a gambling problem. I have a financial problem."
March 31st, 2012 at 2:25:44 PM
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This has happened several times at one of my local casinos. Always said by the same dealer who, obviously, has no concept of the game.
Cards are dealt out, dealer turns over his top card, an Ace. Insurance is offered. Newbie speaks up" whats that mean?". Actually a very solid question. Dealer explains. Then adds his own personal advice of " basic strategy recommends only insuring a 20"!
I have never said anything to the dealer, nor have I spoken up at the time to debunk the idea. I have had a conversation with other dealers that I am friendly with, most just laugh.
Cards are dealt out, dealer turns over his top card, an Ace. Insurance is offered. Newbie speaks up" whats that mean?". Actually a very solid question. Dealer explains. Then adds his own personal advice of " basic strategy recommends only insuring a 20"!
I have never said anything to the dealer, nor have I spoken up at the time to debunk the idea. I have had a conversation with other dealers that I am friendly with, most just laugh.
March 31st, 2012 at 2:34:09 PM
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I think it's very unethical for the dealer to make a statement that is [clearly] wrong. At the extreme case of single deck, knowing three non-ten cards makes it 16 out of 49 (97.96%) whereas having 20 with two pictures makes it even more wrong, 14 out of 49 (85%).
March 31st, 2012 at 2:44:54 PM
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Dealers often attempt to "educate me" when I "make a bad play" such as:
Declining even money (my blackjack vs dealer A). They tell me it's the "best bet" in the entire casino.
Surrendering a hand; especially 17 vs A in a H17 game. I catch hell for this one every time.
Declining even money (my blackjack vs dealer A). They tell me it's the "best bet" in the entire casino.
Surrendering a hand; especially 17 vs A in a H17 game. I catch hell for this one every time.
"I don't have a gambling problem. I have a financial problem."
March 31st, 2012 at 3:04:25 PM
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It is unethical to give advice that is clearly wrong, but I'm sure the dealer in those situations believes he is correct. An uneducated dealer is one of the worst blackjack players around. They hear every possible superstition and incorrect assumption from their players. Those ideas plant in their heads and they start to notice all the times those assumptions prove true and fail notice when they don't. Your average dealer truly believes insuring a good hand is the right thing to do, that even money is smart, surrender is stupid, and that the guy on third base just took his bust card.
What I find the most unethical is when dealers allow a new/uneducated/drunk player to make an extremely obvious, extremely bad play without a polite confirmation. The Wizard's example of the player hitting a soft 20 is a great example. The dealer should have pointed out the guest had a 20 and then asked if he still wanted to hit. Ditto when players attempt stand on soft 16 and below. On the flip side, nothing is worse than the dealer criticizing a play, even if it's wrong. "You really want to hit that 13 against my 3? You're going to take my bust card and cause the whole table to lose."
What I find the most unethical is when dealers allow a new/uneducated/drunk player to make an extremely obvious, extremely bad play without a polite confirmation. The Wizard's example of the player hitting a soft 20 is a great example. The dealer should have pointed out the guest had a 20 and then asked if he still wanted to hit. Ditto when players attempt stand on soft 16 and below. On the flip side, nothing is worse than the dealer criticizing a play, even if it's wrong. "You really want to hit that 13 against my 3? You're going to take my bust card and cause the whole table to lose."
March 31st, 2012 at 7:02:07 PM
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I haven't played much blackjack to have any good stories. But last weekend, there was a guy playing that was pretty awful. He got lucky, a lot, and that helped him, but he made some awful plays. He had $200 and got dealt two Kings. Dealer had a Jack showing. He split the Kings, and received an 8 on one and a 9 on the other. Naturally, the dealer had another face card under, and the guy lost $400.
March 31st, 2012 at 7:19:20 PM
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And then there is the every popular BJ dealer advice. I almost always bust with a 5 or 6 and hardly ever with a deuce. That's why the deuce is called " THE DEALER'S ACE "
March 31st, 2012 at 8:30:02 PM
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This does not fall into "worst plays ever seen" but is a follow up to bad dealer advice or wrong advice.
Several weeks ago, a player at my table said something to the effect of the dealer winning 85% of the first hand of a shoe. No sooner had he said that, the dealer was shuffling at the time, the dealer busted paying all 4 of us at the table. Happened the next 3 shoes, I believe, at least he and I won those hands, as both of made a comment about blowing his theory straight to bits.
Last week, as the dealer is having me cut, she says something to the same effect. I says "come on Jane, you dont believe that do you?" She replies with a well I heard it someplace. I ask what the difference is between the 1st hand, 9th hand, and 22nd hand of the shoe? why should the house advantage be better? Got a nonsensical answer about mathematics and such.
Maybe this is the offshoot for a new thread. Dumbest things dealers have said.
Several weeks ago, a player at my table said something to the effect of the dealer winning 85% of the first hand of a shoe. No sooner had he said that, the dealer was shuffling at the time, the dealer busted paying all 4 of us at the table. Happened the next 3 shoes, I believe, at least he and I won those hands, as both of made a comment about blowing his theory straight to bits.
Last week, as the dealer is having me cut, she says something to the same effect. I says "come on Jane, you dont believe that do you?" She replies with a well I heard it someplace. I ask what the difference is between the 1st hand, 9th hand, and 22nd hand of the shoe? why should the house advantage be better? Got a nonsensical answer about mathematics and such.
Maybe this is the offshoot for a new thread. Dumbest things dealers have said.
March 31st, 2012 at 8:49:21 PM
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Sometimes you're made to feel like the biggest mistake is playing correctly. At Foxwoods a few years ago I was playing two hands of blackjack (8 decks, S17, DAS, Surrender) at a $25 table, the two hands right before the dealer. Some hotshot young guy approached the table and sat down just to my right. I think he bought in for $300 or $400 and played a few hands. Then he had $200 left, and bet $100. The dealer's upcard was a 6; this guy's initial two cards totalled 8. He asked me if he should double down. I advised against it; he proceeded to double down anyway, betting the rest of his buyin. I don't recall what card he got, as it wasn't relevant. I played my first hand, which I also don't remember. My second hand was a soft 18 (again, the dealer was showing a 6): correct strategy is to double, which I did. I got an 8, making 16. The dealer revealed a 10 in the hole, and then a 4 when she hit, making 20.
What happened next was like a Phil Hellmuth outburst: the young hotshot guy immediately gets up from his seat, pointing out that I took the dealer's bust card, and starts shouting to everyone in the vicinity about how I was such an idiot because I doubled down on 18. He continued to verbally express his disbelief at my "stupidity" to anyone willing to listen for the next several minutes.
I learned a valuable lesson that day: don't play at a blackjack table unless the only other person there is the dealer!
What happened next was like a Phil Hellmuth outburst: the young hotshot guy immediately gets up from his seat, pointing out that I took the dealer's bust card, and starts shouting to everyone in the vicinity about how I was such an idiot because I doubled down on 18. He continued to verbally express his disbelief at my "stupidity" to anyone willing to listen for the next several minutes.
I learned a valuable lesson that day: don't play at a blackjack table unless the only other person there is the dealer!
March 31st, 2012 at 9:03:52 PM
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Not one of the worst plays I have ever seen, but I saw something the other day that kind of pissed me off. $25 double deck table, player has 9 against a 5. Player asks if he should double, dealer says I wouldn't the way these cards are going. Player hits and gets an Ace and the dealer busts. Player didn't complain but he just lost out on 25 bucks.
I was ridiculed by a new floor supervisor a few weeks ago for splitting my 4's against a 5. I got doubles on both and lost everything when the dealer drew 21 and the supervisor said, see you should never split those 4's, just let the 5 bust.
I was ridiculed by a new floor supervisor a few weeks ago for splitting my 4's against a 5. I got doubles on both and lost everything when the dealer drew 21 and the supervisor said, see you should never split those 4's, just let the 5 bust.
March 31st, 2012 at 9:13:13 PM
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The worst play I've ever seen was "Phantom of the Opera." I can't even recall what it was about (not the Broadway musical, an earlier play)
;)
;)
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
March 31st, 2012 at 10:12:35 PM
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It wasn't the worst, but a bone head move on my part. I was playing a double deck hand held game about a year ago. My first two cards were low cards and every time I indicated a hit, I continued to get low cards. Finally after asking for about four hits I miscounted my total and thought I had a 22. I threw my cards down to indicated I busted, but the dealer and everyone at the table said almost at the same time I had a 21.
