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Table Games Blackjack dealer etiquette question

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by sarahmck, Sep 10, 2013.

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  1. sarahmck

    sarahmck Newbie

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    Sunday morning, I was playing at the Bellagio while it was quiet, just me and one other guy at a bj switch table. I don't normally play bj, craps is my game, but since it was a quiet Sunday I figured it would be a good time to get some experience.

    Dealer was super unfriendly, but helped me a little bit because I was unfamiliar with the order of things in switch.

    Eventually there came a point where my second hand was a 13. I gestured to hit, but the dealer skipped over my second hand and went to the next guy. I was really confused about why he moved on, and before I could even think to say something, dealer had already turned his cards over and I lost.

    I said "What? I asked for another card...?" and the dealer ignored me. I turned to my husband and said "what the f just happened?" - still ignored me.

    It's still bugging me today. I didn't have time to mess with it because we were about to have to leave for the airport, but really... what should I have done? Let it go? I'm not sure what the usual etiquette for this kind of situation is.
     
  2. Keyser Soze

    Keyser Soze Low-Roller

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    I would NOT have let it go.
     
  3. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    I'm a blackjack dealer. Not knowing what his up card was, he may have anticipated that you wouldn't take a card, bad move on his part. If you indicated a hit, and he passed you to the next player and continued the hand, and assuming what you say about saying something, they should have called a floor supervisor over who, depending on internal controls and amount of bet would have either refunded your bet or may have called the surveillance department to review if you in fact indicated a hit
     
  4. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    I also am curious about if your hit indicater was clear. All the time I have players I have to ask time and time again to clear up what they want, the way they indicate is not clear on what they want, iv had players give what I saw was a clear hit signal and insist they stayed. The floor would watch them some and they even was confused about what the player wanted
     
  5. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    Assuming the dealer heard you when you pointed out his mistake then he was obviously being a dick by ignoring you. He knew you were a newbie and was probably hoping you wouldn't press him on it and you didn't. Saved him the headache of calling the pit boss over and having to admit to a mistake.

    But yeah, knowing what the dealers up card could help explain if there was a reason for the mistake in the first place besides just carelessness. If he had a bust card showing he may have assumed you were going to stand.....that still doesn't excuse his mistake though.

    Funny thing is if I was in your shoes and pressed for time and the bet was small I may have not cared too much about pressing him on the mistake either. But if I thought he was purposely ignoring me that's when I'd get pissed and really tear him apart to his superiors.
     
  6. WHITEJACKET73

    WHITEJACKET73 VIP Whale

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    I certainly hope that you didn't tip the bastard when you left the table.
     
  7. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    If the dealer misses you or otherwise makes a mistake, you stop the game and protest, the dealer is then forced to call the floor, if they didnt do that then you should have.
     
  8. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    In BJ Switch do you indicate a stay like in regular BJ?

    Either way, he should have acknowledged your question. All he had to say was he assumed you were going to stay.
     
  9. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    You were had. Sorry you got a bad dealer.
     
  10. sarahmck

    sarahmck Newbie

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    I definitely did not tip him.

    Yeah, I knew getting my bet back could go as far as surveillance, and I didn't want to deal with that for $10. But thanks everyone for confirming that I'm not crazy.

    As for what I indicated, I tapped on the hand that I wanted a card on (I think I had 20 on the first hand, so only wanted a card on the 2nd). I guess the gestures are slightly more complicated in Switch, but I think I did it right by doing that.
     
  11. sarahmck

    sarahmck Newbie

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    Forgot to mention, his English was really bad. It took several tries for him to explain to me in what order I had to take cards. (I'd never played Switch before, so at first I didn't understand whether it was left to right, right to left, or just whatever).

    Ugh. Well whatever, I remembered his nametag very well because he was Korean and I even tried speaking to him in Korean. No response. The guy was a jerk.
     
  12. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    I would not have let it go.

    You can condition the dealer to what play you're about to make. I say what I want to do when splitting and doubling down, along with making the move, and usually ask for large or small along with the scratch when I take a card. Since it is an unusual play, I always say "surrender" along with making the sign. I never speak when I stand, but may shake my head. This extra information may keep the dealer from making a mistake.
     
  13. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    As a dealer, at least at my casino, your verbal indicator means nothing, must be clear hand signals. I had people wave off a hand while asking for a card, dealer gave card and player complained he wanted to stay, of course the review of the video shows he stayed. So after that, I go by the hand signal only and it has never failed in a dispute.
     
  14. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    Hey...give the guy a break...it's either deal them cards, or be at the wrong end of an assault rifle....
     
  15. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    he is paid to watch and deal the game.

    you are sitting there not even knowing how to play.

    One can assume the error is yours.
     
  16. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    Of course the gesture is all that counts. I'm talking about redundancy for the sake of avoiding errors. The dealer missed the signal but might have caught it if it had been accompanied by a verbal request for a certain card (for a hit) or a head shake (for stand).

    If the player gives two conflicting indicators, such as the "stand" signal while asking for a card, it behooves a dealer to ask which he wants, not blindly follow the hand signal. You then insist that the player make the correct signal before you continue play. What you say you do might be technically correct, but it won't keep many butts in the chair making money for your boss.
     
  17. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    I assume that this is directed to me. I will ask a player once or if I think they are truly confused (or very drunk) twice which they want, heck if they are making a crazy play I will ask once or twice (again, goes back to above) if they are sure, but after that, if they indicate their wishes I comply. Fact is, there are scam artist who does what they can to take advantage of a dealer, especially I'm new markets like ours. I am expected to deal X many hand an hour as long as my table has players. I am much nicer about asking players than some others I work with, I have a couple that will deliver the card faster than you can tap the table twice. If a player is unsure and needs advice, I have no problem giving but when they indicate multiple things (verbal/hand) we must go by hand, and km sure it goes without saying if a player indicates differently from verbal to hand, we will make sure they understand proper etiquette so as to not have the mistakes occur often.
     
  18. bigsuv

    bigsuv Low-Roller

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    something similar happened to me once at mgm. kind of crowded and the music was loud. i signaled to the dealer to stand on 15 or 16 but he asked, "no?" and i told him "stand", not yes or not, tried not to confuse him. he still gave me a card and i was busted. i was looking at the guy that i don't know next to me and he gave me a confused, wtf, kind of look. i then told the dealer i both signaled and told him to stand. the guy next to me also saw and heard me. the dealer said he couldn't see nor hear anything. he then moved on and gave cards to the rest of the table. i was pissed :grrr:! the guy next to me also shook his head. i colored up, told everybody good luck and left.
     
  19. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    You guys need to stand up for yourself, say" I didn't want that card, take it back", he will have to call over the floor to decide what to do, dont let these guys push you around. Stop looking to the drunk next to you for support and start acting like you expect respect. You didn't make the mistake, he did, let him face the consequences.
     
  20. bigsuv

    bigsuv Low-Roller

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    well, i didn't ask him to take the card back but i did express my point. after he was done with everybody's hands, he then showed me he would've won the hand no matter i take the card or not. i told him that's not the point i won the hand or not. it's the principle. i told him not to give me card, in a way, twice but he still did. the bit boss came over and he just looked at the hands but didn't say a word and walked off. i guess he was thinking the outcome would've been the same no matter what.
     
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