Question about casino Blackjack?

Question

Do you HAVE to be considerate of the other players at the table? Is there some kind of "etiquette" or "code" regarding that?

I realize that a bad play from one player can screw it up for everyone at the table except the person who made the play. One time when I was playing, there was a woman who kept doing the total opposite of basic strategy, but yet and still, she kept winning, while the rest of us were losing.

Example, she would take a hit on 14 while the dealer was showing a 5. Her hit card would be a 7, so she would win, but the rest of us who "stood" with our 13's and stuff lost because the dealer didn't bust out!

Everyone at the table was pissed at the time including me, but when I thought about it later, I said to myself "why should she care if we lost, as long as she won. She's here to win money for herself, not to make sure everyone wins".

Do I HAVE to be considerate of the table,or can I do what I want to make sure I win, and say screw everyone else?

Answer 1

Personally, I think that it is better to be at a table where everyone is winning and having fun. That woman will lose money in the long run, since she will bust out more often than not when she makes that play.

However, that being said, you are not required to play basic strategy at a blackjack table. If you want to make a play, you should not be concerned with what the other players at the table think. If they don't like the way you are playing, they can leave and find another table.

W mentioned that he would take double down on an 11 in that situation, this is a bad example, since any blackjack player worth his chips would do the same thing. However, he is right in saying that if that player had gotten a 6 (or any card that would have helped the dealer) you wouldn't be complaining about it.

By converse, even playing Basic Strategy can burn you. I've seen hands where someone makes a basic strategy play, and ends up burning the table, since the card they got would have led to a dealer bust, for example, hitting a 16 against a dealer 8, recieving a 2, standing, only to see the dealer turn over a 3, then hit for a 10 to get 21. This is the right play, but if the player had stood, everyone would have won. The fact is, that player has no more idea what is coming than you do, and can only make the play that they think is the best at the time. You can let them know what Basic Strategy says, but leave it at that.

Answer 2

CJ, let me ask you this: If you play perfect strategy and treat the other players with kindness and consideration, do you think they will all reach into their pockets if you go broke? Because I don't think they will.

At the end of the day, your goal is to make the right decisions and beat the dealer. Unfortunately, unless you are an amazing card counter the odds are against you.

Any player that believes that the actions of another player at the table is making them lose, is just a moron. Yes you can argue that if a player hit when she was supposed to, it might have altered the outcome of the hand, but that is really bogus thinking. Just as often the same 'wrong' play could give the dealer just the right card to bust.

If you are going to be anal about what other players are going to do, then go to the high stakes area and play the dealer one on one. Otherwise you just have to accept that some players will make the 'wrong' play and get lucky or cause the dealer to get lucky or unlucky. It's all part of the game, and it just happens.

So at the end of the day, play the correct game and you will probably lose at an average rate of about 2% or so per hour. Or you could learn a real game like poker and play a game with no house edge.

Answer 3

There is an code of play at the Black Jack table. However if I am sitting at a table and the dealing is showing an up 5 and I have 11, I will double down and hope I catch the face card. The odds are in the case you mentioned that the dealer will bust since over half the deck will be higher than her 6 which would giver her 21. The way I look at it though is that the bet belongs to the player and they can play anyway they want. No one would have bitched if she had gotten a 6 and taken that away from the dealer.

Answer 4

No, you do not have to play by the book, but it is good etiquette not to make incredibly unusual plays. And if you do play weird, expect grumbling from other players. And it is not all that unusual for another player to say something to your face or even cuss you out for making bad plays. But in general, if you're going totally crazy (like splitting 10s or hitting 17s) the other players at the table will just leave. If you stand on 16s or don't double soft hands, people usually will leave you alone.

One of my pet peeves at the blackjack table is when I hit a 12 against a dealer 2 or 3. They get mad because I know basic strategy better than them :P

Answer 5

Interesting question. No, you don't have to be considerate of the other players at the table, but you should be. You should give what you expect in return. If you choose not to, be prepared to take the heat! Many seasoned players will not hesitate to let a bad player know when they've made a bad play. It can make a very uncomfortable situation. I personally leave the table if there is someone there screwing it up for the rest of the table. Bad players will loose more in the long run than good players.

Answer 6

That's exactly why I gave up the game. There is a right way and a wrong way to play any casino game. If you play correctly you may not win but you should at least hang onto your money longer. I got tired of seeing idiots splitting K's and doubling down on 20 when they had an A9. The odds of getting 20 on 2 cards with a single deck are 8-1 so why would you want to screw that up. It's very rare to find a table where everyone is playing right. Maybe at the very high stakes tables.

Answer 7

You should follow your own strategy, which mostly like will be the standard basic strategy in the books, and if you can't do that comfortably at the table, MOVE! You are better off getting up and finding a table where you can be the anchor (last to act before the dealer) and can control the action more. Even if you can't find a seat like that, moving is your best bet since you will feel better about your game and won't be distracted by the nutball making the crazy plays, meaning you won't make as many mistakes and can maximize your winnings.

Answer 8

You do not have to be considerate at the table. There is no written rule stating that you can't critique another person's play. Feel free to say whatever you want.

When I am in this situation one of two things happens:

1) I try to help the person use proper strategy and try to help them become a better player. If they are willing to listen I usually help them win and everyone is happier.

2) I try to help them and they refuse my help. At this point I will either leave the table and go to another or the rest of the table and I will criticize their play so much that they feel uncomfortable and they end up leaving the table.

Truth is, do whatever you need to do to put yourself in the best scenario. If that means helping the bad player play better or leaving the table then do it. Good luck and hopefully you don't run into those players too often!

Answer 9

I personally feel like it's a much better experience if everyone is having fun and winning at the table. Whenever one person is playing like an idiot, I typically go to another table. Keep in mind that the casino watches what is happening. A table loaded with players who play sound strategy will tip the odds away from the house. Often the casino will send a player to a table to play poorly so that they can regain house advantage. You can't prove it, but it happens.

Answer 10

No, the Value of the next card is UNKNOWN to everyone. Just because someone, or everyone else at the table "FEELS" you should or should not take a card is their own opinion. You should do what you think is best for you. Rather that be taking a card or not.

Do what will best put you in a winning position. Remeber it is your money riding on your hand.