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Table Games Blackjack: Dealer errors

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by gambler, Jun 12, 2012.

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  1. gambler

    gambler VIP Whale

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    I'm just curious as to how often dealer's make errors while paying off Blackjack bets. It seems at least once every trip, I have to stop a dealer from either taking my bet when I've won or they don't pay me when I win (usually they say I've pushed until I point out otherwise.)

    Sometimes it works in my favour so it's not all bad. On a recent trip to a popular casino in Reno, I sat at a table with four other players and a slow, new dealer. It'd been a long, liquid night and I had a $20 bet out. I was seated at first base, so when I was dealt a blackjack, dealer paid me off $30. I increased my bet to $30 and waited while the rest of the table played out their hands. Dealer bust, so she paid off all the players, including me again. She placed $45 beside my bet, saying ""oh ya, you had a blackjack". Now you have to remember this dealer was slowwwww. In my less than sober state, I didn't say anything because I actually wondered if we'd played a new hand that I'd completely forgotten. She started dealing the next hand when the light came on. She looked at me, I at her, and we had an instant of "I won't tell if you don't".

    At another club in Vegas, I've been paid as a winner on a $50 hand that I know I lost. Dealers have also given me a push a couple times on a losing hand. That said, at this particular casino, I make a point of playing mostly sober and with full concentration because I've also had dealers try to take my bets when I've had a winning hand. I once played with a male dealer there who made so many mistakes that he started checking with me before paying anyone (I didn't stay long at his table because it was just too much work). I'm well aware they are not the best dealers at this casino, but so long as I pay attention, it's an advantage to play there. I figure if the casino wants to hire dealers based on attributes other than their math abilities, it's not my place to tell them how to run their business.

    So I'm wondering if it's just me? Do I somehow rattle the dealers or does this happen just as often to other players?
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2012
  2. FoolsGold

    FoolsGold Tourist

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    Dealers are human and often bored and sometimes new and sometimes dealers respond a little too much to the fact that you've been tipping them and no one else has been doing it.

    Dealers also make honest mistakes as well though, often in favor of the house often in favor of the player.

    Its your decision.

    Best... take when you can. If some suits show up and want you to give it back... you ain't lost nuttin'.
     
  3. Bruinfan1

    Bruinfan1 Tourist

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    In my very limited experience, once every 12 hours. More players presumably increases that rate. I mean, 3 or 4 thousand hands, you have to expect 1-2 errors, right?

    Being new to this, I usually say something. I am trying to learn to keep my mouth shut - it's none of my business unless it's my money. Anyways, I'm usually wrong as often (or more!) than the dealer, so it's not like my thinking there's an error means that there is one.

    And yes, I find the best dealers make no mistakes; it's the weaker dealers who make the errors. Again, very limited experience - hopefully others confirm.
     
  4. MangoPort

    MangoPort High-Roller

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    The occasional mistakes dealers make just make up for the house edge, in my opinion. I've been paid a couple of ridiculous ways - it's why I usually leave my "blackjack" bet out there because sometimes if the dealer busts they just pay everyone.

    The funniest way I've been paid was when everyone has a stand-pat hand (17-20), and the dealer turns over their cards and draws and gets 18, then draws again and busts.

    They then turnover their cards and start paying the table and you can see after about 2 or 3 pays they stop, as the wheels start turning and they realize what they've just done, but decide they are better off just paying it out and hoping it doesn't get noticed than admitting their mistake and looking like a fool.
     
  5. MMacys1

    MMacys1 Tourist

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    I've gotten paid wIth a 22, dealer thinking i have 21. I think I drew 6 or 7little cards.
     
  6. WrongWayWade

    WrongWayWade VIP Whale

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    I usually see a few errors at the blackjack table each trip. If it's not my hand, I don't say anything ESPECIALLY if it is in the player's favor (you can create some REALLY mad people this way). If I get over-paid I just shut up and continue on. Of course, if I'm under-paid I let them know.

    It's the casino's responsibility to have well trained dealers to make the payoffs. If they don't then I'm perfectly happy to capitalize on their error. The other thing is that if you actually show a dealer his error on an over-pay to you, he has to call the boss and that's a negative mark on his record. If you don't say anything, then the dealer isn't getting 'dinged'. The odds that they'll find it later on the videotape (or even look) are minimal.

    At the PaiGow table sometimes it's hard for the players to not help the dealer if he sets his hand wrong, because it's fun to demonstrate that they know how to play the game. But the players shouldn't help here, either, as this can often help the whole table get paid or push instead of lose.
     
  7. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    I tend to correct the dealer either way (when its my hand) without thinking about it. The reflex honesty kicks in before I can even make a conscious decision. Same thing tends to happen when a clerk gives me too much change.

    As for how common it is, I'd say it tends to happen in bunches. I can go whole trips with no mistake. But catch a new dealer or a dealer having a really bad day (or just a dumb one), and you'll see it more than once in your session.
     
  8. Fafa2e

    Fafa2e High-Roller

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    I will correct the dealer if he doesnt't pay me or underpays on a winning hand, but will keep my mouth shut if the dealer mispays in my favor. I'll take every advantage I can get. Similarly, I would only comment on another player's payout if it benefits the player. I figure the house has a big enough advantage to absorb a few dealer overpays.

    I usually see a few mispays each trip.
     
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  9. Ben Jammin

    Ben Jammin MIA

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    Dealers make errors, usually in their favor. I don't always watch them too close, unless I have a big hand out there. If they goof in my favor it's a wash.

    The pit wants speed, so more money comes in for them. If you're too slow they will pass you over. You need to call them on that one. One way to minimize your losses is to slow the game down.

    I see more craps errors. Especially in the grind joints with break in dealers, but I play Craps more often.
     
  10. tapakip

    tapakip Low-Roller

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    I've talked to pit bosses about this in the past. To a man, they all answer the same way: They couldn't care less. They don't even have the cameras focused on lower limit tables 1/2 the time.

    Some guy betting 5k a hand? They'll watch that.

    The important thing to remember is to simply mind your own hand. Don't try to fix someone else's mistake either way, as no good can come of it.
     
  11. FoolsGold

    FoolsGold Tourist

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    Amen!!!!
     
  12. gambler

    gambler VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the replies. It's great to hear other stories. I asked because others I've spoken to say mistakes rarely happen.

    The only time I might correct the dealer is while playing one on one. It's just too awkward to not say something. I never comment on other players hands and save a special look for those players who insist on helping the dealer when I'm playing my own hand.
     
  13. stuntin909

    stuntin909 Low-Roller

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    only happened to me once at the flamingo. had a dealer who was on turbo mode. dealing at an insane speed. anyways I had a $10 bet on the table and won. she accidentally paid me with 2 green chips haha. got up and left immediately before she caught it.
     
  14. gambler

    gambler VIP Whale

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    Sweet! I'm not fond of turbo dealers so it's great to hear you were able to outrun her!
     
  15. theotherone

    theotherone Low-Roller

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    I don't recall any dealer errors at BJ but I'll be sure to keep an eye out now. My wife plays more than me so I hope she's watching out!
     
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