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Table Games Double down bet on a blackjack (soft 11)

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by HardEight, May 20, 2017.

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  1. HardEight

    HardEight Low-Roller

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    I was at The Orleans playing bj earlier this week and the player next to me was dealt a bj. The dealer had a 7 showing and he decided to double down on a bj (soft 11). I'd never even heard of anyone doing this before. Even if the dealer has a 6 showing I would think this is a bad bet. You are a guaranteed winner, why risk taking money off the table?

    Has anyone else experienced this or done it themselves?
     
  2. Dentastic

    Dentastic Stripburger!

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    Always a bad bet. Even when playing 6:5 blackjack.
     
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  3. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    Yup, pure stupidity.
     
  4. BadKarma

    BadKarma Vegas Degenerate - Still Royal Flushless

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    I'm guilty of doing this, just once.
    Was playing $5 BJ at Margaritaville Casino (or maybe it was Harrah's), got a natural on a 6:5 table, dealer shows 4 or 5; can't remember.
    I doubled, dealer called it back to floor manager...........I lost.
    It was just my brother and I at the table, so no other players were going to be offended by my move. Had to try it.
    Never did that again!
     
  5. Ezzy711

    Ezzy711 VIP Whale

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    Not a smart move.

    Although I would never do the same move I admit that I sometimes take more chances on splits and doubles at 6:5 tables than I do at a 3:2. It is the only way to make any money. I still only split aces and 8s against 7+, but I might split almost anything but 10s against 6 or less, even 9s. I also almost always double soft hands against 6 or less. Wouldn't do it if I was already ahead, playing 3:2, or green chip+, but at a $5 or $10 I take more chances for fun and profit.
     
  6. RebelDiceMan

    RebelDiceMan VIP Whale

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    The ONLY time that move would be good is in a tournament where you need to take the table lead and a 3-2 payment won't get you there but double down will.
     
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  7. TOWNSVILLE

    TOWNSVILLE Low-Roller

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    Guilty, only did it once when encouraged to do so by a dealer that l considered to be a friend [ casino friend, you know what l mean by this ]. lt worked a treat, the A.H. we wanted to leave, did. Mumbling something like ' Your a f==king idiot mate ' Value for money we both thought, only three B.J. tables at the local at that time so neither of us needed his smug s=it, he knew it all. Yes, later on that night l witnessed him loose all his money at another table that l was playing on at that time. Now l hate to see anybody loose money to the casino, but this one deserved it, do not dish sh-t up to the dealers. lt's only their job, not their fault for your stupidity.
     
  8. topcard

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

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    Years ago, I saw a drunk player signal for a hit (not even a double!) on his blackjack...dealer thought he was joking, but he crossly told her - "I'm serious - HIT!".
    She called the pit over...he took a look, asked the player if he wanted to hit his blackjack...he slurs out "Ye-ah...uh-huh...that's what I said!".
    Pit tells her to give him a card.
    (He drew a 9...and still won the hand....but what a moron!)
     
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  9. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    Everyone has the right to do what they want to do, but I consider this a "stupid" bet. You're trading a guaranteed winner for a chance at a loss.
     
  10. BlacklabberMike

    BlacklabberMike MIA

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    why are some of you even playing 6/5 ?
     
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  11. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    I did it my rookie year, 1975, at The Riviera and got a face and won. Never did it again.
     
  12. h0llywood

    h0llywood VIP Whale

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    While stupid, atleast a soft 11 there's still a chance. I had a guy next to me double down on 20. Lol.

    His response?
    "I'm here to gamble."

    And....i left the table.
     
  13. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    I recall being in vegas when I was maybe 20 and poor(underage too), getting dealt aces at BJ, I had all my money in on the bet and proceeded to draw 2 tens and bust(it was a pitch game), the dealer said "oh, you should have split them" and I said I know.
     
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  14. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Double down? Not split? Splitting can be correct with a big count.

    I think I would have stuck around for the hilarity after that.
     
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  15. mickeydfly13

    mickeydfly13 Low-Roller

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    Some would argue that not taking even money on a blackjack is stupid, too, as you are assured a win vs. potentially pushing. The math is the math, but let people do whatever they want is what I say.
     
  16. topcard

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

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    My friend from Houston who meets me in Vegas every Spring - he's one of those who always takes "even money".
    I've showed him the math...he doesn't care... he wants that guaranteed win.
    I think, psychologically, he doesn't 'feel' like he's buying insurance.
    I asked him if he would pay $5 to insure a $10 bet blackjack if it only paid even money. He said no.
    When I pointed out that he's still paying $5 to insure his $15 blackjack... if the dealer doesn't have it, he's out $5, regardless of the pay-out for his hand.
    With an even count, the math isn't even close: 10-J-Q-K, versus A-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9...9-to-4 probability that he doesn't have a blackjack. The "even money" play has a (roughly) 10% house edge...worse than most slots... worse than every side sucker-bet to found on any blackjack table... worse than the pair-plus in 3-card...worse than Let-it-Ride... worse than Caribbean Stud, for cryin' out loud!

    I've told him these things. He doesn't care. He still takes even money every time.
     
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  17. BlacklabberMike

    BlacklabberMike MIA

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    I have a friend like that too... i just shake my head now and let him do his thing.
     
  18. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    You cant fix stupid, it's their money, let them blow it.
     
  19. topcard

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

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    I think I'm going to try a new approach on the next trip - I'm going to personally offer insurance on all of his blackjacks vs dealer Ace.
    If he's going to spend 50% of his blackjack bet on insurance, I may as well be the one who sells it to him.
    :beer:
     
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  20. woodsie

    woodsie VIP Whale

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    I would have stayed. That's the kind of spectacle that makes gambling with strangers worthwhile.
     
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