El Cortez Single Deck

I played the EC single deck this week and they allow players to double anything on the first two cards. Does anyone know when they changed it back? I played there late last year and it was D1011. I also noticed the game did not appear to be sweated as bad as I recall. They did not seem nervous about a couple of moves I made that should have drawn a closer look.

I've always been able to double the first two cards. Are you confusing it with doubling after splitting? That is not allowed.

No, I mean that the last time I played there and tried to double on a soft hand vs a 6 I was told I could not. When I asked, I was told by the dealer that the rule had changed to D1011 only. On Wednesday, I was allowed to double anything.

Stopped by the El Cortez to play some blacjack this morning.
Place was relatively empty.
I sit down, have my obvious strategy sheet in front of me.
Just want to relax and take my time.
Guy sits right next to me in an empty place with other dealers. I'm obviously a rookie lowroller flat betting 5.
He buys in for 2k.
Plays 500 a hand. Next to my 5 buck bets.
He is not doing to well, 2k gone, he gets up and leaves.
Dealer said he's a regular every morning
Anyway place fills up, playing at a full table,, down about 50, I color up.

Quote: Pokeraddict

No, I mean that the last time I played there and tried to double on a soft hand vs a 6 I was told I could not. When I asked, I was told by the dealer that the rule had changed to D1011 only. On Wednesday, I was allowed to double anything.

Since this thread got bumped I just want to clarify that you can for sure double any two cards now (or again) and either there was a brief rule change or a mistaken dealer that one time.

Down 50 yesterday, went back early this morning and got it back and a bit more.
I am only flat betting.
Tempted to go back to count and just double my bet during a good count. Light spread :-)
Just having low roller fun. I'm no Aceofspades

Quote: terapined

Down 50 yesterday, went back early this morning and got it back and a bit more.
I am only flat betting.
Tempted to go back to count and just double my bet during a good count. Light spread :-)
Just having low roller fun. I'm no Aceofspades

Do it. Many consider it a badge of honor to be sent packing at the El.

After reading the Aceofspades adventures of playing BJ, kind of got me excited to play.
Took at shot at counting cards Tues nite and early yesterday morning.
Tues nite only played about an hour and lost about 10 bucks.
Just having some low roller fun using a simple count and only betting 5 if count negative and 10 on a positive count of 2 or higher.
Playing with a strategy card so don't even have to think about strategy, can concentrate on the count.
Come back Wed am(flight home later in the day) to play some more.
Place is empty, great, sit down and got a table all to myself.
Only upping my bet if count is plus 2 or higher.
Now home and thinking about this, should up my bet to 10 on a positive count of 1, its a slight edge but it is single deck.
One time count was at +6, I bet 15, the only time I did this, and lost.
I'm having fun, just a rookie low roller actually using my left and right hand fingers to keep track of the count:-)
Left hand fingers under the table for positive, negative count, right hand under table.
This is working great, just having fun.
2 other players sit down, one of them playing 2 hands and the royal match which uses more cards.
This sucks, get to a good positive count and shuffle, uggh.
I am only down about 15, just playing for fun, I cash ouit. More players at a single deck game and one playing royal match, not as much fun counting.
Had a great time getting back into BJ , Haven't played this much BJ since the Western was open.
The 3 dollar table was never opened my few trips to the El, no biggie, would now rather play an empty single deck 5 buck table.

I played at Cortez on my recent trip a few weeks ago and it was DA2 then as well (on the single deck).

Quote: terapined

Just having some low roller fun using a simple count and only betting 5 if count negative and 10 on a positive count of 2 or higher.
...
Now home and thinking about this, should up my bet to 10 on a positive count of 1, its a slight edge but it is single deck.

With the great HE they offer (0.16-0.18) you are absolutely correct in raising your bet on ANY positive count. Especially take in to consideration that you're playing one deck. So after one round if the count is +1, the TC is more than +1 because you have less than a deck left ;).

Quote: terapined

This sucks, get to a good positive count and shuffle, uggh.

Ha, welcome to one of a thousand issues counters run in to! Now imagine you're playing 6D as that's all your local shop offers. Combine that with the fact that you haven't seen one positive count in hours. Then finally it shoots up huge right at the end of the shoe but you see the dealer draw the damn cut card and you won't even get to up your bet =/.

Quote: terapined

Had a great time getting back into BJ , Haven't played this much BJ since the Western was open.

I'm really glad you had a great time playing... and that you at least had a little fun with some basic counting. You're there for fun, not your profession. Adding that counting and very small spread might be enough to tip that game to the break even point so you can indeed play for fun!

Quote: Boz

Do it. Many consider it a badge of honor to be sent packing at the El.

You really think they will sweat that? or was a that a joke?

I never had a problem in the past going $10 up to $80.