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Table Games BJ Tournament Strategy

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by Fafa2e, Jan 13, 2015.

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  1. Fafa2e

    Fafa2e High-Roller

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    I will be playing in my first Blackjack Tournament this Friday at my local casino. (Bonus: Tournament is being hosted by the Miss Universe Pageant with the reigning Miss Universe and 30 other Pageant contestants supposed to be there)

    Anyway, as this will be my first blackjack tournament, I am seeking advice from the board for the best strategy. I have no idea what the format is, how many participants, how much you get to start, etc., so any information anyone has on how these things are typically structured would help also.

    Thanks!
     
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  2. pleepleus

    pleepleus 2016 - The monkey is back

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    Typically, you play a set amount of hands (20-30) per round and the top X players with the highest amount of chips will move on to the next round. Since I don't know how many participants there are, I can't say how many rounds there will be.

    Money management is important and screwing up other players is key. If you have bet 100 units and other players are betting 5000 units, you might do some crazy stuff to make to help the dealer make a hand... Like splitting 10s, hitting hard 18, etc.

    Also, if you are down a lot, you start REALLY doing crazy stuff like doubling on hard 19.
     
  3. Fafa2e

    Fafa2e High-Roller

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    Thanks pleepleus! I just checked the mailer and the semi-final has 48 player, presumably 8 tables of 6 players and the final has six players, so I am guessing they probably just use the 8 tables and maybe have 4 or 5 rounds to determine the semi-finalists (i.e. maybe 240 total participants - 48 seats x 5 rounds)

    I was kind of thinking that you can't just play basic strategy and need to make some crazy plays to try and build your bankroll to try and advance. I'll post back here over the weekend how the tournament went. I'll also try to get some pics of the Miss Universe contestants and post them.
     
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  4. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    two important things to find out. Sometimes the winner of each table moves forward. Sometimes the top players out of the ENTIRE round move forward.

    In any event, money mgmt is key. Many will bet half or even all their money in hopes of getting ahead. But, unlike the real world, you can not just walk over the ATM and get more chips. When they are gone, they are gone.

    If you are playing to win YOUR TABLE, then watch everyone else and do not swing too far from other bets.

    And, if you think playing stupid (not basic strategy) can screw up other players, then do that. Of course, it does not matter one little bit what other players do as to standing or hitting, but sadly many BJ players think it does. Every card you take, or do not take has equal chances of helping or hurting the dealer.
     
  5. newmans

    newmans VIP Whale

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    The #1 seat does not always get the first card like at a regular BJ table The first card rotates along the table.
     
  6. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    This is also the order in which players must place their bets...a very important factor in tournament play.
     
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  7. LoveDowntownVegas

    LoveDowntownVegas High-Roller

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    Sometimes players are allowed to buy additional chips - example -
    All players start with 2000 chips but for an additional $100 PER ROUND you can add an additional 1000 chips to your stack.
    this is typically done in the 'free' tournaments so they can use is for prize pool.

    as others have said - money management. know how much the other players have at all times. if the majority of the table is conservative, I usually bet aggressive. I try to be different from the majority of the players at the table.
    however, I prefer to be conservative when given the opportunity. I prefer to use the house edge to my advantage.

    I've only played in three "real" tournaments so I'm not expert but there is a bit of a learning curve.
    If you have an ipad download Winner Blackjack. It has tournament play available.
     
  8. Fafa2e

    Fafa2e High-Roller

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    Ok! I played in the tournament last night and basically you had to get really lucky to advance to the semifinals.

    There were 8 tables of six players each and 10 rounds of six hands each starting with $25k in chips. The top 40 advanced to the semi-final plus an additional 8 players that were drawn from a drum.

    They also drew 24 cards from the drum for $500 in promo chips.

    So, I didn't win anything, but on the plus side, they had free beer and wine and hors d'oeuvres.

    Oh! And the Miss Universe contestants!

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]https://vimeo.com/117044567
     
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  9. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    Well hellloooo Ms Paraguay, Mexico and Dominican Republic! :blowkiss:
     
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