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Table Games Blackjack - Ever go against "The Book"?

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by Darreningreenwood, Jul 6, 2013.

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  1. Darreningreenwood

    Darreningreenwood Low-Roller

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    I know that most of us on here have a pretty good understanding of how to play blackjack by "The Book", and we generally follow it. No insurance, no splitting tens, hit 16 against 10, etc... But I'm curious if you ever knowingly go against the book, and why?

    For example, I add a chip to my bet every time I get a blackjack, win a double, or split. After a while, this can mean I'm betting well above my standard bet on a $25 table. If my bet is larger than I'm used to, I will sometimes take even money on a blackjack against an ace, even though I know the book says not to. I just like being able to take the money and run. Or on a $5 table by myself or with friends, I'll split 10's just for shits and giggles. But never when there are strangers there, for obvious reasons.

    Anyone else do things like this? And what's your reason for doing it?

    Thanks, I'm going to hang up now and listen to your answers.
     
  2. meyers67

    meyers67 VIP Whale

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    Sometimes I will hit a 17 or 18 against a dealers 10 card.

    It's pretty funny when the pit boss has to approve it. And that one time out of 10 when you draw a 2 or 3 it's awesome.
     
  3. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    Honestly I think that most people here and everywhere else have no idea what the book actually says in all cases. Everyone knows not to split tens and not hit hard 18 etc, but that's just a fraction of the book.
     
  4. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    I dont need to go against the book, I live vicariously watching all the others do it every session.
     
  5. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    You have to play by the book or else you will make everyone else at the table lose. :poke:
     
  6. BCeagle

    BCeagle Tourist

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    I just took the time to learn the play of almost of every hand with the highest expected return. I have played a few thousand hands on my phone on a 5 deck shoe and the win % hovers between 47%-49% I have a slight overall $ win over that time frame ($100 @$50 a hand) I have had some awful stretches and you need a nice bankroll to stomach some of the larger losing streaks but I think it is worth it. The only thing I cant do all the time is surrender, I cant stand it. I forgot what % it costs me.
     
  7. AndShock

    AndShock Tourist

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    I won't split 8s against a 10 or ace if I have a large bet out there. I'll just hit my 16 and accept my loss (surrender isn't offered here.)

    I will hit a 12 against a 2 but I usually don't hit a 3 against a 2. Mostly because I'm tired of people telling me that I'm not supposed to do it, even though the book tells me to. I can't count the number of conversations I've had that went something like:

    I hit a 12/13 against a 2
    Them: Thanks for taking the bust card
    Me: I do whatever the book says
    Them: The book says you're supposed to stand if it's not a 7-A

    It just gets me frustrated for no reason and it's not worth it.

    If I'm by myself I will split 10s and double soft 20s.
     
  8. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    I just want to take some of these idiots out back and beat the living crap out of them.

    My/your bad play has ZERO IMPACT on the chances of that card, or the next card being a good card, or a bad card. I have gotten up from more than one table after dealing with idiots that think lack of "basic strategy" on one persons part has any impact on the draw for others.
     
  9. SW

    SW Well-Known Member

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    Occasionally I'll split 5's against a 6 just to try my luck. Greed is the reason why.
     
  10. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    I really don't care what others do - it's not my money, after all. But "greed" isn't a logical explanation for this play. The correct play - doubling - gives you the same opportunity to be "greedy", but also gives you a much higher expected return.

    Again, I don't mean to tell you how to play. I just found this statement very curious.


    Edit to add: did you perhaps mean to say you'll split 10's in this situation?
     
  11. colpuck

    colpuck Tourist

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    I was playing BJ at my local res casino. Sat down and first had, player at first base, 10-10, split, drew another ten and split them again. He ended up losing all three hands, playing at $25/hand

    I think I busted that hand, but I wasn't mad at him about it, I was too busy laughing my ass off as he tapped out.
     
  12. firstkill

    firstkill High-Roller

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    Ive done this also on low limits also by my self, I will split 5s instead of double. Every blue moon you double after splitting 5s haha

    fk
     
  13. Keyser Soze

    Keyser Soze Low-Roller

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    This is very true.

    Whenever someone says "I always play by the book" or "the book says ____; that's a pretty good indicator they have no clue what they're doing.
     
  14. Kagedawg

    Kagedawg Low-Roller

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    I will sometimes take even money on a blackjack (usually just depends on how I am doing). I will stay on 12 against a 2. If I have a 5 or 6 card 16 against a 10, I will often stay. I sometimes do not split 8s against a 10 (again, depends on how I have been running). Like another poster said, if I am goofing off at the $5 table, I will sometimes split 10s, double on hard 5s, 6s, etc. The important thing to remember is to play the way you like and to not begrudge others for doing the same. For every time I have played with someone who "took the dealer's bust card", etc., it has worked outin my favor just as much.
     
  15. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    You can draw unwanted attention from other players or the dealer if you hit soft 18 or surrender. Other plays that don't go with the flow (or should I say with the flush) are not usually noticed.
     
  16. SW

    SW Well-Known Member

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    I agree with you that it's not logical.

    I look at it as another opportunity to get 2 hands against a poor hand for the dealer. Perhaps I'll also get a chance to double down on one or both of the splits. Logical? Nope. Splitting 10's is something I don't do. So why split 5's? Must be the beer.

    It's just a quirky thing I do occasionally when I'm playing solo. :beer:
     
  17. isitvegasyet

    isitvegasyet Tourist

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    Last trip, after a particularly good night on the high dollar slots, I stopped at a $50 blackjack table in the Encore. We were on our way to the room and I thought, Oh, what the heck. I have a pocket full of money. There's no one at this table. We'll give her a go. I kinda sorta know basic strategy, I just don't always follow it.

    Dealer gives me two tens. Dealer has a six. I split and double down on both hands. First hand, blackjack. Second hand, I don't remember, but the dealer busted.

    Picked up my chips, put them in my jacket pocket. Found them two days later, which was a nice surprise.
     
  18. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    I agree. "Greed" is a very curious term. Its hard to describe an EV lowering action as being "greedy". The way I think of greedy (not in a bad way) is someone who won't give up a cent. But these are the guys who are intentionally worsening their position.

    From what I've seen, most "by the gut" players are coming from a place of fear disguised as cautiousness. Some are just cowboys, e.g. guys who will hit their 18s or like Steve they'll split the 5s instead of doubling. They crave action. But usually its people NOT doing something, e.g. NOT hitting their 15s, 16s, NOT doubling or NOT splitting, etc. Those stem from fear of either busting or putting out more money.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2013
  19. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    On my first trip to Vegas, I was down most of my bankroll and in a hair brained scheme I bet $100 as the trip was ending. Received 10/6 vs. 8 and stood with my scared money. I would have received a 3 if I hit (next card out) and would have won. I learned my lesson.

    Comments are common when I hit/double A7, decline insurance on blackjack, hit a 12 vs. 2/3 or surrender a hand when it is warranted.

    [YOUTUBE]jfFunjzyIsE[/YOUTUBE]
     
  20. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    Just to be clear, you didn't really double down(you split), and you didn't get a blackjack(you got 21 since he didn't pay you 3/2). You were very fortunate but I wouldn't brag about it.
    I was playing at a table and a guy split 10's, he got another face and I immediately said "split again", he did got another face and I said it again, he split the fourth time and ended up winning all 4...me and the dealer just smiled at each other...good story huh? :wink2:
     
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