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Table Games 2 hands of blackjack anyone?

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by reedy, Oct 2, 2015.

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  1. reedy

    reedy Low-Roller

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    So, who plays 2 hands or more at at time? If so why?

    I started doing this on my last last trip and found it alot more interesting than just playing the one. Obviously how busy the table is matters.
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2015
  2. 6Mermaids

    6Mermaids Low-Roller

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    I always play 2. At this point, I would rather not play than only play 1.
     
  3. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    I don't play a lot of BJ, but when I do I will alternate between 1 and 2 depending on how things are going.

    I'd rather play 2 because it limits your variance as well as lets you take advantage of streaks when the dealer is busting.

    but I will drop down to 1 to change up the cards if the shoe isn't going well.
     
  4. h0und10

    h0und10 VIP Whale

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    wouldn't just raising your bet and playing one hand do the same job of taking advantage of streaks when the dealer busts? or are you flirting with table max where you cannot raise bet?
     
  5. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    yes, but like I said, you play 2 hands to limit the variance.

    even if the dealer doesn't bust, you have twice the chance to get at least one good hand and split out.

    that happens about 50% of the time.
     
  6. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    i play to change up the cards and also if it going bad hopping to push out win one one lose one if the dealer is on a roll , also i can go on a roll with 2 hand if the cards start to go real good, but i always play by myself
     
  7. B S

    B S MIA

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    I like to play two hands. As shifter mentioned, limits variance and it keeps me more in tune to the shoe.

    Also, it is more exciting.

    If I lose three in a row (total of 6 hands) I will switch to one. Lose three more of that then I find a different table.

    I also like to sit third base so I can have the last action before the dealer flips. I hate having my hand done and waiting.
     
  8. SDSteve

    SDSteve Low-Roller

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    I like to play two most of the time... I've been know to go to 4 when I get hot/drunk.
     
  9. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    I almost always play two hands, although I let the table know that I'm willing to go back to one if it gets crowded (since I personally hate it when I can't get a seat because too many people are playing multiple hands). Aria is great about this, and I've never run into a problem at any MGM property, though some of the CET places get weird about it even at empty tables.
     
  10. gmille58

    gmille58 Low-Roller

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    Are there typical rules about 2 hands in Vegas? Here in WA you have to play double the minimum per hand to play two hands, and 5x the minimum to play 3.
     
  11. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    I would say they have selectively enforced rules both in Vegas and other places I've played.

    I've seen people told they need to play double, but usually when the table is busy and / or at the lower minimums that casino offers. Pretty easy to get them to allow it if there are a bunch of empty spots on multiple tables.
     
  12. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    No issues in the HL rooms playing 2 hands at table min.
     
  13. gmille58

    gmille58 Low-Roller

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    Yeah, but the HL mins are more than 2x on a $25 table. I just like to be able to drop down on those runs where the dealer cant ever seem to bust.
     
  14. Bo333

    Bo333 VIP Whale

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    As soon as a table min is $25 you can play 2 without doubling (at least at MGM casinos).

    I play 2 all the time, switching occasionally to 1 depending on my mood.
     
  15. safe51334

    safe51334 Tourist

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    I also like to play 2 hands as everyone else has said it smooth outs the variance. If the table is running in the dealer's favor you can always switch it up to change the deck. (superstition maybe). My local casino requires 2x if $5 or $10 table all other higher tables it is not required to play more than table minimum. Plus it gets real exciting if the dealer is running bad and you increase your bets and then get splits and double downs.
     
  16. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    Playing 2 hands now and then is fun (usually I am low rolling enough not to want to).

    But people should really think twice before trying to 'smooth out the variance'.

    It is a negative expectation game, the more variance you smooth out, the more you are simply handing someone money.

    Spreading to multiple hands when counting, especially near the cut card makes sense, as you can smooth variance when you have the edge, and do more total bet. But it would also be conspicuous as anything.
     
  17. topcard

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

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    I only do it when the count is (simple plus/minus) is +3 or better. Since I only play 2-deck games, those good counts never last more than a hand or two, so I try to take advantage.

    The only other time I played multiple hands (6, actually). was head-to-head at a 3:2 single-deck game in Central City Colorado...they dealt that deck down to the the last 5 cards or so...they told me that, since state prohibited any bet over $5 (at the time), they weren't worried about counters....so, I asked if I could play multiple hands...they said,' sure, why not?'... so, on every count of +1 or better, I played all 6 spots for $5 each... I killed them for about an hour & then they closed the table on me. It was the only blackjack table they had open, so I commented, "You're going to close the only blackjack table you have?"
    The pit-critter's reply - "Only until you leave". :Þ
     
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  18. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    I totally get how people want to play two hands. More thrills.

    As to playing two hands to "impact" the variance. Seems totally lacking in logic. That variance can be swayed up and down. Who knows which way on which hand?

    The casino edge does not change because there are 3 hands playing at once or 6 hands. If you are REALLY, REALLY good and playing a 1 or 2 deck table, having more hands out can be helpful - but only because you now have more KNOWLEDGE of cards already in play.
     
  19. Vegasaddict2014

    Vegasaddict2014 Low-Roller

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    I play 2 hands but 1 spot is mine and then I bet on top of my boyfriends bet to avoid betting 2x minimum on both
     
  20. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    This.

    The more hands you play the closer to the "norm" you will get. The norm is a negative result.
    If you play the often used theoretical "million hands" you are statistically guaranteed to come out with a loss.
    But if you play only one hand you have a 42% (as per W.O.O) chance of winning.

    So it is easy to deduce the more hands you play the more likely you are to lose overall.

    BUT, saying that, if you two handed players know that, and know what you are "paying", then it is okay spending your entertainment dollars in that way.
    Just like it's okay if you know there are better games to be had than the party pit games, but if you want to "pay" to look at boobies while you play, good on ya!
     
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