What are your thoughts on this dealer.

So today I was at the casino casually watching a $15 min blackjack game. I was watching for the ratio of people who play bad vs play BS vs play BS + index.

So by the time i started watching there was this woman playing really badly. She was hitting 13 vs 4, standing 14 vs 10 etc. And this dealer would often use a tone that really suggests she's wrong but doesn't explicitly stop her. like "Are you SUREEEE you want to hit that?" etc.

So the shoe ends and the a new one start. I wasn't counting the previous shoe but I know no count, positive or negative would have warranted what she played last shoe.

So it game 12 vs 3. she said hit and dealer was doing his thing again with the "are you SUREEEE you're going to hit that?" so she stood instead and got beat by the dealer 17. I was thinking, who does this guy (the dealer) think he is... Anyway I do know in positive TC you stand 12 vs 3 but this was the first hand in the shoe so obviously that's out of the question.

And in a few hands S17 vs 4 shows up and the woman stand and dealer was silent (assume he agreed). The very next hand was S13 vs 6 and the woman hit and won the hand 19 vs Bust, and dealer was like "yeah, that's the way to play it." I was facepalming silently in my mind. By this time it was clear to me this dealer is a dumbass.

So what do you guys think of this guy? I think if you're trying to act all knowledgeable and tell other people what to do then you should at least know what you're talking about.

Very unprofessional this dealer, judging and commenting on players' play.
Players have a right to play their hands as they see fit with their money on the line, no need for ridicule.

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Quote: Paigowdan

Very unprofessional this dealer, judging and commenting on players' play.
Players have a right to play their hands as they see fit with their money on the line, no need for ridicule.

True. Unfortunately there's a line for people being able to play how they want and trying to help them. I've had dealers who always say what to do (some of them are even knowledgeable enough I let them play my hands for me), and I've had a few who always let the player do what they want without question. Even when it's clear the player either misread the cards or just doesn't know what the game is (A,5,5 being hit for example).

Dan is spot on. The dealer is there to deal the game and not to make comments on how people play. If the player asks the dealer for help, that is a different story.

Then again, how many dealers' opinions would you guys follow at the game?

I know my answer but it would be good to know the actual % of people who listen to them?

Quote: Paigowdan

Very unprofessional this dealer, judging and commenting on players' play.
Players have a right to play their hands as they see fit with their money on the line, no need for ridicule.

I think the best move for a dealer is a 2 second hesitation when a players makes a glaringly bad decision. No words are necessary, just the slight pause to give the player a chance to rethink it. If they don't change their mind... Then go ahead with what the player requested.

Surprised nobody mentioned about the dealer making the player stand 12 Vs 3 (which is wrong, should hit). I know it's rude/unprofessional to tell the player if they are making a mistake but this is when the player was doing the right thing, you tell them the wrong thing, and they lose! This should be extra wrong wrong wrong.

Quote: michael99000

I think the best move for a dealer is a 2 second hesitation when a players makes a glaringly bad decision. No words are necessary, just the slight pause to give the player a chance to rethink it. If they don't change their mind... Then go ahead with what the player requested.

Which is really what most dealers do when the mistake is absolutely glaring, or what they would do is simply ask, you want to double that 14 sir? Remember the dealer also has the responsibility to make sure they get the players wishes right so asking again if they are sure is not without reason.

Offering unsolicited advice.....well yeah, not on!

Quote: Neutrino

Surprised nobody mentioned about the dealer making the player stand 12 Vs 3 (which is wrong, should hit). I know it's rude/unprofessional to tell the player if they are making a mistake but this is when the player was doing the right thing, you tell them the wrong thing, and they lose! This should be extra wrong wrong wrong.

Well, my whole BJ playing life I was wrong. I thought it was 12, 13 / 2 is hit. 12, 13 / 3 is stand. I definitely feel dumb today. Good thing I rarely play BJ.

95% of the players play wrong
95% of the dealers when playing, play wrong

Quote: FinsRule

Well, my whole BJ playing life I was wrong. I thought it was 12, 13 / 2 is hit. 12, 13 / 3 is stand. I definitely feel dumb today. Good thing I rarely play BJ.

It is very easy to get those plays mixed up especially in the heat of the moment :)

I think a dealer can say whatever he/she wants to me. If I am 100 percent knowledgeable on the game... they cant hurt me. Anyone who gambles without full knowledge of the game deserves to be at the mercey of their bad play, and their propensity to take poor advice. People who listen to advice from other players or from the dealer are too green to play BJ.

If the deaker seriously thinks the normal play would be to not hit....then to be on the safe side and not be involved in a player beef....where the floor is called over...he will double check. I see nothing wrong with that. And if the player knows what they are doing...then they can with certainty give the dealer an answer.

There is a big difference between "ridicule" and providing "Basic Strategy" or "Basic Strategy with a Caveat".

There are tables where everyone is friendly and gives advice. There are dealers who realize some players do not know what they are doing.

Problems arise when dealers try to supply full complete answers when there simply is not time to tell a player... its "real close" as to hitting or standing, so just do what you feel like doing.

Baiting players who stand on 14 against a 10 into hitting is pretty much illegal here in Ohio since it's pretty much giving advice. Something like that is a strategy error but it's based on the "don't want to bust."

The only time I even question is if someone does something REALLY unusual, like hitting hard 17 or soft 20; in that case, it's more to make sure they're paying attention and not just making a motion based on being distracted. Other than that, if a player wants to double on hard 19 (and yes, I've seen it done,) it's their funeral.

Quote: Neutrino

So today I was at the casino casually watching a $15 min blackjack game. I was watching for the ratio of people who play bad vs play BS vs play BS + index.

So by the time i started watching there was this woman playing really badly. She was hitting 13 vs 4, standing 14 vs 10 etc. And this dealer would often use a tone that really suggests she's wrong but doesn't explicitly stop her. like "Are you SUREEEE you want to hit that?" etc.

So the shoe ends and the a new one start. I wasn't counting the previous shoe but I know no count, positive or negative would have warranted what she played last shoe.

So it game 12 vs 3. she said hit and dealer was doing his thing again with the "are you SUREEEE you're going to hit that?" so she stood instead and got beat by the dealer 17. I was thinking, who does this guy (the dealer) think he is... Anyway I do know in positive TC you stand 12 vs 3 but this was the first hand in the shoe so obviously that's out of the question.

And in a few hands S17 vs 4 shows up and the woman stand and dealer was silent (assume he agreed). The very next hand was S13 vs 6 and the woman hit and won the hand 19 vs Bust, and dealer was like "yeah, that's the way to play it." I was facepalming silently in my mind. By this time it was clear to me this dealer is a dumbass.

So what do you guys think of this guy? I think if you're trying to act all knowledgeable and tell other people what to do then you should at least know what you're talking about.

These are all correct plays in certain situations. Hitting 12v3 is even a basic strategy play. Are you sure that she was terrible?

Quote: AxiomOfChoice

These are all correct plays in certain situations. Hitting 12v3 is even a basic strategy play. Are you sure that she was terrible?

Yeah positive