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Table Games New blackjack player observations

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by SW, Mar 26, 2013.

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  1. SW

    SW Well-Known Member

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    During the first few months of learning and playing the game, I’ve made a few personal observations:


    • Don’t be afraid to play just because you haven’t played before. Everyone was new at one time.

    • Learn basic strategy and/or get a basic strategy card. It’s worth your time/effort/money.

    • The difference between a good session and a bad session, for me, depends greatly on the winning/losing percentage of my double downs and splits.

    • Just one person tipping at a table can get most, if not all, of the table tipping.

    • I dislike the fact that tips are pooled at both local casinos that I frequent the most. Some dealers go the extra mile to make sure your experience is a good one. Some don’t.

    • Playing alongside some players is a great and entertaining experience. Relatively few are unpleasant. Most will play quietly and respectfully.

    Please feel free to add your observations.
     
  2. Iceicecool

    Iceicecool Low-Roller

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    The first time you play at a casino where dealers keep their own tips, you will see why it is not allowed at most every casino. The amount of tip hustling that you will face will make it near impossible to enjoy the game. And the behind the scenes fighting amongst dealers to be assigned the high limit room would blow your mind.
     
  3. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    There's a good discussion of the ins and outs of pool tipping in the "how to tip your dealer" thread. Long story short, many don't like it for the same reason as you, but there are good reasons for doing it (huge variance in tips between games, limits, and also winning and losing sessions).

    To me, I tend not to worry about it. I still tip like they are not pooled. Peer pressure is almost as good as cash incentive for getting surly staff in line. And if someone is routinely not earning, you can bet its being felt and passed along.
     
  4. jdvegas

    jdvegas VIP Whale

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    On point 1 - 100% agree. It is a great icebreaker to ask permission when you join - "anyone mind a beginner player joining the table?".
    • If there is a jerk at the table who is annoyed by newbies, you will know right away and can find another table. All good - plenty of tables in a casino.
    • Assuming no jerks, they will welcome you and even help you.
    • The dealer will also know to help you out rather than get annoyed at you if you do things like touch your chips or cards when you are not supposed to.


    On point 2 - for the sake of the other players (so as not to slow down play tooo much) and the sake of your bankroll, at least get the basics down. Buy one of the strategy cards for all the tougher plays - most casino gift shops sell them, and you are fine to use them at the table (I keep a card in my shirt pocket at all times).

    On point 3 - Exactly correct. Mathematically, that is how it works - break even or lose a little on most hands. Then, when the odds are in your favor, double your bet. This is why having the strategy card is so important (see item 2).

    Good luck!
     
  5. split10's?

    split10's? Low-Roller

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    i've never thought much or worried about tipping. I always do, and as long as the dealer is reasonably smiling, and thanking for the tip [or attempt, i always bet their tip] then i'm fine and will continue to. Guess having spent years in tipped positions has skewed my thinking...
     
  6. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    I love when a new player asks that question. Because it gives me a chance to both assure the new player that I'm good with him sitting down, plus it gives me a chance to speak for everybody by saying 'nobody is going to give you trouble here.' Since I make a habit of playing $100 at low limit tables a lot, usually nobody argues (it's hard for someone who's playing $10 a hand to be a dick if someone playing $100 a hand isn't worried about how you play. It can still happen, but it's very rare, to the point where I've only seen it once. I then started pointing out every incorrect play that the 'good' player made, just for fun. He left and the newbie and I kept playing. We had a nice winning session.)

    On another one of OP's points, peer pressure works with tip pooling. If I'm playing with a dealer who is an ass, I'll leave and move to another table. When I'm inevitably asked by the next dealer why I moved, I'll tell him/her. Let them police their own.
     
  7. may24

    may24 Low-Roller

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    Just because someone might not enjoy playing with a new player doesn't make him a dick. Some players might like a fast paced flowing game. I guess it all depends on what the new player is like, but a player asking a ton of questions and taking their time with each hand might not be fun for some players.

    How I personally would handle it would be to not say no to a newbie and play a couple hands and see how they were. If they were slow and asked to many questions for my liking, I might get up and find another table if I could.
    Everyone is different and enjoy different things, some love a social table and chatting with fellow players, others might enjoy keeping to themselves. As long as the person isn't rude I have no problem with either type of player. But again, just because someone might not enjoy playing with a newbie doesn't make him a dick.
     
  8. Benwar

    Benwar Tourist

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    I'm sure that I'm in the minority when it comes to this but.....Why should anyone tip the dealers at all?

    Is it our fault that these cash hungry casinos only pay their dealers a small income and make them dependent on tips? How about these mega casinos that bring in millions of dollars a year pay their dealers a fair income and quit making us feel guilty if we don't tip.
     
  9. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    The tipping thing should get it's own thread.


    Back to the "new player discussion".

    If new, do not sit at 1st base or 3rd base.

    If you sit at the 1st or 2nd chair, you have less time to make your decisions and others may not be as patient.

    If you sit at 3rd, you are blamed for others play, even if you play 100% correct. The play of this person has ZERO impact on the overall odds and game, but most thing a bad play at 3rd only hurts others, and never ever helps them.
     
  10. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    I have often argued that since the house has the advantage, and therefore wins more than it loses, shouldn't the house be tipping the dealers? Why is it that when I beat the odds I am expected to share the wealth?

    Yes, I tip, but I have long wondered why it is expected. A cocktail waitress hustling drinks, certainly. A valet hustling to get my car to me ASAP, sure. A dealer doing his or her job, regardless of whether I win or lose, nonsensical. Yes, if the dealer is helping you and/or the table out, then it makes some sense.

    And now back to your regularly scheduled discussion.

    <i>Sent from my home computer.</i>
     
  11. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    Up here in Mn there's a local casino where the dealers keep their own tips,it's far , far better than the tip sharing IMO, the dealers are forced(for the most part) to be friendly and at least act like they want you to win, no zombies at this place, makes for a far better atmosphere overall.
     
  12. travelfiend

    travelfiend High-Roller

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    Years ago, my then gf wanted to learn to play blackjack. She was so nervous and intimidated but best thing I did was take her to $5 table at 7am on a weekday. We had the table to ourself for about an hour and she learned all the unwritten rules and got comfortable playing
     
  13. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

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    Remember, everyone at the table had their first time also, including the dealer.

    I remember the first time I played like it was yesterday. It's when all the BJ games were pitch games and my hands shook like crazy and the dealer said, "my hands shook like that the first time I dealt a game too." That made me feel much better.

    .
     
  14. WrongWayWade

    WrongWayWade VIP Whale

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    Dealing is just one more job where the tips are built in to the pay structure for that employee. Basically NOBODY would do the work if there were no tips; they often get paid minimum wage or less on their paycheck. It's exactly the same category of job as cocktail waitress, waiter, valet, etc.

    I ALWAYS tip at a restaurant unless they do a horrible job. I ALWAYS tip a card dealer unless he does a horrible job.
     
  15. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    That's true. And if that was the case, that would be fine. It's not fine to let the player sit and then berate him, or to do the passive aggressive sigh when he's taking too long. If he asks and you don't want him to sit, it's definitely cool to let him know that you'd prefer he find another spot. That's why he asked.

    As for me, I'd probably know that about you before the guy asked since I've been watching you play, so that would be a different circumstance. In a case like that where there was a guy already at the table who knew what he was doing, I'd consult with him before answering the newbie, so that we could give a table answer.
     
  16. evoiris

    evoiris Tourist

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    I've played blackjack here and there before but still a newbie. I need to learn a few more basics. I still get scared sitting down at a table so that's why I don't play anymore, even though I reallllly want to...ahhh! :(
     
  17. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    Actually if the table is full you are guaranteed to encounter that player who feels all their loses are dull to someone not playing correctly.

    I would prefer a sign for the different BJ tables.
    "Fun people play here."
    "Wanna be profession BJ players here"
    It will really help and bet my wife would actually play more.
     
  18. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    Who cares about what other people think? I'm surprised so many here won't play a game they want to play just cuz they worry someone might blame them for losses. If that ever happened to me I'd just have fun with them. I'd say sorry every time they lost whether they blamed me or not on that hand and then say you're welcome for every hand they won. Wouldn't let them pick and choose where to blame me. Let them think that I think their fate is in my hands.
     
  19. jdvegas

    jdvegas VIP Whale

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    The good news is that we both share the same goal here: encourage new players to join a table without feeling intimidated.

    My only point is that by asking if anyone minds, you accomplish so many things.

    The reason I like to consider what the other players think is that I would just assume not be at a table where someone would be annoyed by my play - it would kill the vibe of the table. I want to be at a social, happy table, and there are plenty to choose from. MOST tables will welcome a newbie enthusiastically.
     
  20. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    jdvegas I agree with you on asking. I'm not a newbie but always ask other players if they mind I come in or ask if they want me to wait for the next shoe. In blackjack its just polite. I like it when people ask me and 99% of the time it's sure come in and once in a blue moon I ask if they can just wait for the shuffle.

    But I was referring to posters who said they avoid playing blackjack because they're worried other people might blame them for losing.

    Who knows? The people who would blame you might be a bit nuts so they could actually be kind of entertaining.
     
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