1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Table Games Do you ever like to be alone at a table?

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by Snowbelle3, Mar 10, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2011
    Messages:
    2,711
    Location:
    East
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    11
    Do you prefer to join a table only when other players are already there?
     
  2. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2005
    Messages:
    4,097
    Location:
    Bradenton, FL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    110
    Sometimes! While playing one-on-one is sometimes a dream come true, especially when I'm winning and the dealer's fast, there are also times when I'm just not in the mood. For example, I may not feel like listening or carrying on a conversation with the dealer first thing in the morning, which is also the best time to find empty tables. Most of the time I have zero qualms about sitting at an empty table. However, if every other table in the casino is packed, you have to wonder if maybe there's a good reason that it's empty! I ditched the intimidation factor many years ago, so it all depends if I feel sociable or want a fast or slow game. I go to gamble, so if given a choice, I'll take empty over full every time.
     
  3. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2012
    Messages:
    3,414
    I like being alone at double-deck games a lot of times. Those shoes go quick and I've just had better luck at them solo usually. At 6-deck shoe games I want others at the table because it takes too long to get through a shoe alone. Of course that's assuming the others at the table aren't d0uches.
     
  4. Firehawk

    Firehawk Semi-Amateurish Gambler

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2013
    Messages:
    147
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    Just like others, really depends on my mood. Sometimes I like a table alone, but other times it's nice to have other players there making me money also. I like to throw the dice(its a control thing and NOT talking dice control). Being somewhat of a newbie only getting to play craps maybe once a year I still like to go at a slower pace to learn my bets and payouts. But when I want to have fun, I like a table with more players especially if hte table is hot.
     
  5. SW

    SW Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2012
    Messages:
    307
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    I agree with you. 6-deck games are the only ones offered at my local casinos. Playing one-on-one with the dealer more often than not is a bad thing for my bankroll.

    With certain dealers, one-on-one is great entertainment experience. With other dealers, not so much.

    To answer the OP's question, I can play solo at a blackjack table but having two other players there is what I enjoy the most.
     
  6. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    Messages:
    9,892
    Location:
    Northern Nevada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    248
    I hate playing solo. The game moves too fast for me to enjoy myself... I'm not one of those who's there solely for the gambling. I gotsta have a bit of a party vibe with the play.
     
  7. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2010
    Messages:
    9,430
    Location:
    Florida
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    32
    At the BJ table give me a full table and a seat at 3rd base.
    At the craps table give me an empty table as I want to shoot the dice.
     
  8. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    Messages:
    4,299
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    This past trip I wanted to try blackjack. This is an area where ignorance would have been bliss. I thought of all the board posts (this board and others) I had read over the years where blackjack players were b!tching about other players playing "wrong" and really wanted an empty table to get my feet wet. I was even willing to play at a higher limit if it meant an empty table. Due to sleep issues this past trip, I was on the casino floor at odd hours and never caught an empty table. I did catch a near empty craps table at the Four Queens where the one player and the staff were super nice to me. However, I don't think craps is my game. I've done most of the blackjack trainers and I actually know the strategy. I don't know what I should try for next time, an empty table or a friendly table? I don't know, what do you think?
     
  9. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    Messages:
    9,892
    Location:
    Northern Nevada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    248
    That's exactly what I detest about these self-important, know it all posts from BJ players who scare others away from the table. You know, the types who feel it's their business to pay attention to how everyone plays at the table, because your decisions are affecting their money!! Ultimately, these types of people are no fun to play with anyways, so best to avoid them when you can. Look for a friendly table with a mix of people (not all guys)... you can watch a table for just a couple minutes and tell whether it's fun and "accommodating" table or one of those with 'wannabe" pro gamblers.
     
  10. LakeMinnetonkaRealtor

    LakeMinnetonkaRealtor Tourist

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2010
    Messages:
    89
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    I generally like a pretty empty table. I only play at 3rd base, so oftentimes I have to sit down at an empty table to get my seat. It seems that if I sit down, others will generally follow soon. I like to have 3-4 people at the table maximum.
     
  11. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2005
    Messages:
    4,097
    Location:
    Bradenton, FL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    110
    One of the first things I explain to BJ newbies is what kind of rude comments they can expect to receive from some of the more brain-dead players, and that's even when they play correctly! Dumb comments go with the territory at all casino games, and knowing what to expect and how to react can go a long way toward reducing anxiety and hurt feelings. Don't let their problem become your problem. Play your way with your money.
     
  12. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,420
    Location:
    Colorado Springs
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    For BJ I prefer a full table of fun people or a table with one other person who doesn't talk, them playing before me.

    At craps I can go either way. The only thing I don't like is a half full table that starts on a run and then people start crowding in, buying in during the roll. So in that case, I prefer to start full. On the other hand, there's nothing quite as depressing in vegas as a full table of pass players all on a cold table.
     
  13. raspus

    raspus Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2009
    Messages:
    40
    Location:
    Ohio
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    I prefer 1 to 3 other players. I will sometimes play alone in the morning but the game can go very fast.
     
  14. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2011
    Messages:
    2,711
    Location:
    East
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    11
    I can definitely enjoy an empty table because I do not usually play long. I buy in for like $20 bucks and see how far I can go. No awkward looks, no interrupting a flow, in and out, hit and run. If it's fast and I am winning, I LOVE it! I usually do not stay at a table that I lose 3 initial hands in.

    I will try playing early in the morning then.
     
  15. JDinTN

    JDinTN MIA

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2012
    Messages:
    338
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    I like playing on a table with people who don't act loud and dumb or act like they're losing their life savings. Sometimes it's hard to find tables that aren't empty. There may be a few tables that are full -- usually the low limit ones -- then a bunch of tables that are empty so you have no choice. Those times I wonder if it wouldn't just make more sense for the pit bosses to lower the limits on a couple of more tables since they would probably fill up instead of sitting empty.
     
  16. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,420
    Location:
    Colorado Springs
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    Finding a total jerk at the table isn't as common as it used to be. Mostly you'll have players who are just like you. Personally, I sit down with people and if there's someone telling other people how to play or bitching for any reason, I'll just find a new table.

    Now I've had people ASK me how to play a certain hand. And I'm more than happy to help out. Because I want them to make the right play...not because it matters one bit to my hand, but because it helps them win. And a winning table is a happy table.

    My favorite story about this. I was playing $50 a spot on two spots at a $10 table, sitting in the middle. There were two other players, one to my right and one at 3rd base. The guy at third base was grandfathered in at $5, and was betting straight nickels. I hit a hand where I split one and doubled one, so I had $200 riding. The dealer was showing a 3 and the guy at 3rd base had 12. I hadn't offered him any advice, criticism, or anything other than a 'nice hand' for half an hour we'd been playing together. His play doesn't affect my odds. But I guess he saw how much I had out there and got nervous...he told me 'I'm going to let you tell me how to play this.' So I gave him the book answer...hit 12 against a 3. He hits and gets a 9 for 21. Dealer flips a 9 for 12, takes a 10 and busts.

    Now if those cards come the opposite way, he busts and the dealer has 21. But he didn't, and we had a great hand and a great vibe at the table from then on out.
     
  17. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2011
    Messages:
    6,600
    Location:
    everywhere
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    999
    i perfer own unless i know that the people playing know how to play.sometimes i hang back and whatch for a while too see how there playing but i love one on one so nobody fucks up my play
     
  18. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2002
    Messages:
    5,573
    Location:
    Illinois
    Lately, I prefer a private game. I don't want distractions. Just me, the dealer and cards dealt. It is a far better way to enjoy the true essence of playing BJ.
    It also cuts down on my envy of other players whenever they are dealt better hands than me. And, as others have said, I can get silently cranky when folks do not play strategy.
    Conversely, I feel out of place walking in on a shoe game others are playing, especially if the flow of cards are set off kilter by my sudden arrival. A bit of guilt on my part, I suppose.
    My favorite place used to be the tables towards the back at the Encore. For us soloists, it was very peaceful and quiet. Unfortunately, that side of the room is now slots and the BJ tables are all in the heavy traffic areas.
     
  19. Drc517

    Drc517 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2012
    Messages:
    112
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    Thought i share this on this tread. Just got home from local casino. Age limit 18,not 21 (since no alcohol). Surprised that 95% don't play BJ strategy. Even some dealers that are new and slow don't know basic strategy. Statistics say, other people's play don't affect mine but I experienced it several times in vegas and big time just now how it can mess with my play. I don't say anything though and just keep quiet.

    Anyway, I saw several teens who seems like playing BJ to support school. One buys in $800, 2 hours later, she more than doubled her money. She plays with instinct, not odds. I saw several ridiculous moves from several players like standing on 13 against a 10, Splitting 20, Hitting a hard 18, Not splitting pair aces, standing on soft 15. Surprised that players in this casino don't seem to know a basic strategy for BJ exist. At first, I thought its beginner's luck, but as time pass by, I realized they know what they're doing. And this is not the first time they won big. They come to casino to make money. And there I am, the only person in the table playing 97% basic strategy and getting screwed. I almost gave up and my mind is telling me, if you can't beat them, join them.

    One thing for sure, basic strategy protects you from big losses and makes your play more stable. I came out breaking even, but was only able to recover losses after playing with people who at least play 70% strategy. Still can't believe what I saw...
     
  20. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    Messages:
    3,244
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    90
    You have nothing to fear at a low limit table.
    Many of the players at $5-10 tables do not play basic strategy and don't even know what it is.
    If you are practicing and learning you will be ahead of many of the players.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.