Yesterday I played at an Indian Casino. Table limits were $5-500. I have read many books on blackjack. I never read anything like I saw. When I arrived at the table (3rd base) a lady was playing 3 hands at $500. She had about $2300 in black chips, 500 in green and 75 in red chips.
She ended up losing everything, and going into her purse for about $1200 more.
So any thoughts on multiple hands?
It looks like she did not have the recommended amount of money to weather the storm (80X your bets).
Here is what happenned.
Dealer shows a 6. Player to my right has 3+2. (he does not hit believing that he will get a 10 and the dealers bust card)
I stand with18.
Dealer has a 5, and draws a 10 for 21.
The girl losses $1500 and says the person should have hit the 5.
Shouldn't you just play your cards regardless of others bets?
2007-09-25 01:20:41 · 10 answers · asked by Dave 6 in Games & Recreation ➔ Gambling
Gambling theories are widespread. There are many 'rules' for how and when to bet, how much to bet, how to place your chips on the table, and even what expression to hold on your face.
Truth is, gambling is an individual activity. The idea is to get that rush that comes from risking what's yours, so you bet amounts that make you nervous. There's no sport in betting nickles if your worth is millions.
So, the idea that the woman needed to hold 80 times the amount she was betting only points to conservative play. Conservative play is something done by people who are killing time. They will ante up for every poker hand, and fold often since they will mostly have no immediate chance for a winning hand. When those folks suddenly bet, you can be sure that they hold a good pair of cards in the hole.
Finally, as far as the guy who didn't take a hit card when holding the 3+2, his activity has no bearing on the others' play at the table - he had an even chance of either getting or not getting the dealer's bust card. The woman would have done well to simply play all of the positions on the table if she wanted to control how any particular position drew or stood.
If one wants to be in control of one's destiny when gambling, one should be sure no outsiders take a seat at the table to change one's understanding of the rules.
2007-09-25 01:32:27 · answer #1 · answered by Stuart 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The problem with the situation is why is the lady playing $500/hand at a $5 table?? She should expect bizzare plays like staying on a 5.
On playing multiple hands, I think it is not the smart thing to do. The casino already has a statistical edge in blackjack. Why would you want to play more than one hand when you are at a disadvantage?? The key is to play one hand with solid basic strategy and if the cards fall your way then you will benefit.
Lastly, that guy who stayed on 5 is ABSOLUTELY WRONG. Always take a hit when there is no chance of busting. You can only improve your hand. I love the people with soft 16 or 17 (A-5 and A-6). They stay because they are afraid of making their hand worse when they can ONLY make it better! Great question...Thanks
2007-09-25 04:33:27 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Luva Luva 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should always play your cards regardless of other people's bets because it is YOUR MONEY.
However, standing on 5 is a foolish thing to do. Doesn't matter what the dealer is showing. The odds were definetly against him! And he DID NOT have an even chance of getting the dealer's bust card as was suggested before. The reason being the dealer's "hole" card was unknown. Perhaps in a game of "double exposure" where the dealer actually showed 16 you could argue the point.
Blackjack is a game of strategy, not a game of feelings ("I have a feeling I will be taking the dealer's bust card"). Since you've read books, you've probably learned the strategy. Use it. People that rely on feelings should be playing poker.
2007-09-25 03:13:45 · answer #3 · answered by Steven314159 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to play blackjack, it's always best to play it by the book regardless of what the others bet. Abiding by the basic strategies will significantly increase your chance of winning unless you're an experienced card counter, in which case you probably wouldn't be asking this question.
The basic strategy of the game is to ALWAYS assume that the dealers hole card, as well as the next card out of the shoe , will be a ten (in value). The strategy should remain the same no matter what the bet, or how many hands an individual is playing.
2007-09-25 04:42:38 · answer #4 · answered by daniel j 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whoever stayed with a 5 is a moron. There's never any reason, statistically or practically, to stay with a 5. Although it doesn't really matter if the guy next to you is playing like an idiot, it's still aggravating when people make totally boneheaded plays like that.
There really is no practical reason to play multiple hands, some people just like to do it. You're not really giving up a larger house edge, you would get the same results as if you had a dealer who dealt twice as fast as normal.
As far as her being insufficiently bankrolled, that's her choice. Some people who do not know what they're doing just play like that. Of course, for all you know she could've had a $50,000 bankroll, and that's just all she put on that particular table.
2007-09-26 05:19:20 · answer #5 · answered by Vegas Matt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not enough information. what did the woman have. we can assume the woman plays perfect basic strategy. I conclude this because you have read books and you know you should play at tables that allow among other things double down on any 2 cards. because player to your right did not at least hit 5 he is a complete and utter moron. most likely the 12 hundred in the woman's purse were winnings based in part by the stupid play by the other guy that immensely helped her
2007-09-25 06:53:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, he should have hit that 5. it was a "free" hit. there is nothing he could have drawn to bust. although you assume the hole card is always a ten, doesn't mean it is. this situation is why you're supposed to hit 3 - 9 against a dealer bust card. (double down 10 & 11) I swear, I don't see why people don't learn a game beforehand for free instead of with their hard earned cash.... its hard enough to keep your money when you know what you're doing! if he sat down at a table I was playing at and did that, I'd get up and leave....
2007-09-25 04:19:59 · answer #7 · answered by UPbeachbuggy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Playing multiple hands is fine, it is a personal choice. Sometimes in playing blackjack, you have an edge. If you have an edge, then playing multiple hands will increase your edge.
It looks like the person playing multiple hands did not have enough money to play twice if she was playing $500 per hand and she was playing three hands.
It is just sour grapes when a person complains about how another person plays their blackjack hand.
2007-09-25 05:56:57 · answer #8 · answered by William H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2007-09-25 12:52:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If i see somebody staying on 5, I'm getting up and going to another table!
2007-09-26 19:19:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋