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Table Games Double Deck Blackjack

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by SW, Jun 23, 2014.

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  1. SW

    SW Well-Known Member

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    Played my first session of double deck blackjack this past weekend and really enjoyed the experience. Watched for awhile to get a feel for the proper signals. Told the dealer that I was new to double deck and to correct me if I was doing anything wrong.

    I have a couple of etiquette questions for the board.

    1. When do you show a blackjack? Some players flip their cards right away. Some only flip their cards when it's their turn.
    2. Is it allowed/proper to look at other players cards while they being held(before the dealer turns them over at the end)? I don't know if it's right or wrong but there was a lot of looking at other players cards at the tables where I was playing. The dealers never said a word on this.
     
  2. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    1. I usually don't look at my cards until it's my turn to play, so I flip them immediately. Well, maybe not immediately...if the first card I see is an Ace I might squeeze the second card.

    2. You aren't supposed to look at other's cards...in fact they won't let you look at your own second hand (if you're playing two) until you've played your first hand. But my dad and I play pitch games at Palazzo together a lot and he's not too good with basic strategy. No one has ever given me any trouble for looking at his cards to make sure he's not making any bad mistakes. (He hit 21 once when I wasn't paying attention...lucky bastard still won the hand.:rolleyes2:)
     
  3. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    I have a couple of etiquette questions for the board.

    When do you show a blackjack? Some players flip their cards right away. Some only flip their cards when it's their turn. DOESNT MATER I DO IT AS SOON AS I GET IT OR U CAN DO ON UR TURN.

    Is it allowed/proper to look at other players cards while they being held(before the dealer turns them over at the end)? I don't know if it's right or wrong but there was a lot of looking at other players cards at the tables where I was playing. The dealers never said a word on this.
    NOT REALY THEY CAN CONSIDER IT COUNTING SOMETIMES PLAYER WILL ASK WHAT I HAVE JUST TO SEE IF THE WANT TO HIT BUT IF YOUR NEW ITS FINE TO SHOW YOUR CARDS AND ASK FOR HELP, SOME TIMES PEOPLE SHOW THERES CARDS TO THE DEALER WHEN HITTING AND ASKING FOR LIKE A 5 OR 6 ON A 15 OR 16. ITS JUST SUPERSTITION.

    BUT YES THE ONLY TIME U CAN LOOK AT YOUR 2 HANDS WHEN PLAYING 2 SPOTS IS WHEN A DEALER HAS AN ACE UP , TO SEE IF U WANT INSURANCE OR EVEN MONEY THEN ITS ALLOWED
     
  4. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

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    I think the above answers are correct. Just wanted to clarify that the OP is talking about a blackjack variant named Blackjack "Pitch". In that game, you play with your cards face down until the dealer resolves the hand. Certainly not all double deck games are played that way. You find double deck games that are played the ordinary way (Cards face up) as well.
     
  5. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    correct its played both ways but it sounded to me it was face down and thats what i based my answer on
     
  6. SW

    SW Well-Known Member

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    I'm not sure if it was the variant you mentioned. I just noticed that when players picked up their cards to see them, most did it in a manner that the players to either side of them could also easily see the cards. When you were satisfied with your hand (done taking hits), you placed the cards face down under your bet. If you busted, you turned your cards face up for all to see.
     
  7. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Yes. This is what's commonly referred to as a "pitch" game (the dealer "pitches" the cards rather than placing them in front of the player). It is a dying breed, unfortunately. Most double deck blackjack these days is dealt face up and the protocol is the same as a normal shoe game. (That is, you can't touch the cards and you signal with your hand, not the cards.)
     
  8. topcard

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

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    Trust me on this - for two-deck pitch-games, casinos don't care if a player's cards are seen by other players. They do not want you to play them face-up, but if adjacent players look at each other's hands, no one cares.

    As for flipping your cards up with a blackjack, nothing wrong with doing it immediately, (after all initial hands are dealt and dealer's upcard is displayed).
    Same thing with doubles or splits. As soon as you make your decision to double or split, go ahead and turn them up. (Be sure to hold up a single index finger when doubling with two 5s.)
    On resplits (such as 8-8, and drawing another 8 on the first split 8), I use a hook-em horns signal (pinky & index finger), to indicate that I wish to split that 8 as well.)

    Couple of other words of advice:
    When you want a hit, gently scratch your cards on the table, toward yourself. Avoid using a tapping signal. Tapping can happen inadvertently when you pick up your cards and tap them to line them up. This can too-easily be mistaken for a hit signal if you've established that this is how you signal for a hit.

    Also, once the cards have left your hand (turned up for a double/split, or tucked under your bet), do not touch your cards again.
    Some casinos will honor a request that your double-card be dealt face-up. Some won't. If you like to know what your hit was on a double-down, be sure to ask. Do not physically touch the card yourself.

    PS - the "ordinary way" for blackjack to be dealt IS face down! Face-up is with shoe-games only. I don't consider a shoe to be ordinary. A pitch game is. :beer:
     
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  9. SW

    SW Well-Known Member

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    Thanks to all! This board is always a great place for advice.:beer:
     
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