A Card Counter's Guide: Where to Sit at the Blackjack Table
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ธ.ค. 2024
- How much does it affect your edge whether you sit first, in the middle, or last at the blackjack table?
Find out the mathematical answer, along with some considerations when choosing where to sit as a card counter.
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Its hard to play at an empty table. Once people start seeing you win, they want a piece of the action too.
It depends on what the minimum is. At higher minimums at some casinos, there is no mid-shoe entry. You will get to play far more hands than you would at a full table.
even just having a lot of chips in front of you will attract people
Just went on a heater at a table with one other guy. Went up $400 at the end of one shoe, he got pissed and left midway through the second shoe bc of all the low cards, so I played alone and got to a true 6 and won over 250% my buy in. Worst part of playing alone isn’t other people noticing, it’s pit bosses noticing. I felt some heat and colored in, but who knows.
Last time I played people were getting mad and leaving because I was making decisions for myself and it was causing the dealer to beat the other hands lol. I won like $500 in an hour and everyone else lost and left.
@@STARSKY1313they call you the selfish player 😅. Pulling on busy cards. Don’t be that jerk who hits when dealer has 3,4,5,6
Only reason I don't like first base as a newer card counter is because of the pressure to make your decision first. Most of the time I would have no problem getting the running count in that amount of time, but knowing I also have to look back at my cards and scan my brain for possible playing deviations and basic strategy to make my decision is a lot of pressure.
Having self control and especially maintaining it as the hours goes by is one of the hardest thing to do inside the loud and sometimes annoying casino.
if you find casinos annoying wtf are you doing on a bj video
And sometimes they bring you drinks
Y biggest pet peeves is the people who bitch about how your playing.
No to mention the smoke
I like the first position because you can see the discard tray without having to turn for it... easier to estimate the true count without looking suspicious.
Bruh i can hear u talk about black jack all day
Trueethyself Third base...
Same... and i have
Gayyy
I like first base. In addition to it being easier to keep the RC, you are less likely to piss off the other players. Oh you just said that lol
hahaha
Last is sure to piss people off, I avoid it.
The best place to sit? At the Bar. You Can't loose
MegaJohnhammond except the drinks aren’t free at the bar, so, you kind of are losing.
Cheers bro
@@BukkaLevy LMAO Good point! Plus alcohol is not one of the healthiest things to consume :D. Counting cards sounds healthier to me lol.
Itsnt truth, in the bar you always lose in black jack sometimes
Can you tight?
3:05 ive gotten flack from both ends. Going first and i bust, then the person after me says i coulda used that card. Or going last and getting blamed because i didnt make the dealer bust.
I just ignore them. I pretty much ignore everybody anyways lol
If I'm feeling antagonistic I tell them "I'm here for me NOT you" sometimes they leave.
Tell them if they want to play your hand they can pay for your hand.
My first instinct was to say the first seat for the exact reason you mentioned. I’ve been practicing with those challenges you post and found that after you dealt all the cards, I could pause for second, get the accurate count and decide what I should do based on proper strategy. That little extra time is quite valuable it’s very different thing that with the other seats with one or two players having added cards or cards being taken off the table.
I like next to the shoe because you can see the cards behind the cut card sometimes depending on how it sits in the shoe. If there are other people at the table I sit last to act.
I personally like 3rd base since it allows me time to think on how I will play my hand. Not a card counter but playing Basic Strategy.
Obviously if you manage to see the dealers face down card that's a huge advantage in many potential hands. If they're showing a 6 the way you play the hand will change significantly if you spot the dealer has a 5 face down and is sitting on 11 rather than having to assume they have 16.
I prefer to sit at 3rd base, because you have more time to check other players' cards, and you can change your tactics when necessary, based on other players' decisions. Cons are you get good cards last since you're sitting at the last, but at least you won't get pressured to make a decision fast while counting cards.
Just so I understand, what do you mean by "change your tactics when necessary, based on other players' decisions"?
Blackjack Apprenticeship from what I believe, let's say the first few players draw some high cards, if the count is high, and you have for example a total of 14, you could more or less predict if the next count is going to be a high card, so you stand, dealer takes that card and busts.
Staying on 14 has never, and will never be an index play. Even with 15 and 16, the index says you stay if the true count is really REALLY high.
Unless you're sequence/shuffle tracking. but even then, hitting a 14 either makes a good hand or busts you anyways.
Sir Joelsuf that's why standing on 14 is only done when you are extremely certain if you are going to bust if you draw another card. It's not a high chance though
@@DystopicEdits What SJ says is true. However, in a H17 game you would stay @TC9. Just a minor correction. Sir Joelsuf
, did you mean "if the count is low'"? Just as a side note there are indexes where you can hit at, say, TC-3. But there's no need to learn those since you would never be at a table with that low of a count.
I always sit at 3rd, cause I suck at adding up cards
When I play it's a shoe game. I usually sit in the center: it's easier to see the cards. But when I sit at 3rd base, I usually make the announcement "I don't want to hear any crap about 3rd base messes up the cards.!" Most people laugh.
Also, I remember Thorp or Wong saying something about 3rd base is slightly better.
In a pitch game, I found it easier to see the other player's cards from 3rd base. Position isn't everything here, it's also being able to read the other player's tells with their cards. You know how people fiddle their chips, and there is a rhythm? Well, sometimes the way they hold their cards can be used to see them as well. There are people that hold their cards at a certain angle after the first 2 cards are dealt, or look at them a certain number of times. They will often telegraph these movements as they're contemplating a decision. When you learn their behaviors you can time your "glances" with their movements. Pretend you're looking for the waitress or whatever. This made it easier for me to sit in other positions when 3rd wasn't available. Another thing you can do is pretend to help with their "decision" by sharing your card info with them. Many Blackjack players believe it is a "team effort" to beat the dealer. Pretend to be a team. This is a good way to see everyone's cards too.
In the center you are more visible when counting arent you?
Cody373 Not sure. When you spread your bets in sync with the count is what they really look for. Counting is not some impossible skill that requires you to never take your eyes off the table and be asocial. Honestly it's harder to wait for the count to turn to player advantage than it is to actually perform once it does. Counting is the easy part. To me anyway. Others may feel differently.
@@raven7389 I'm not at all subtle about leaning over (especially if I'm sitting at 3rd base) to see what the other player's have, especially while I'm showing them my cards. I make it seem like it's a team effort to beat the dealer. Which, really, it should be.
I've caught a glimpse of the dealer's bottom card sometimes, that tiiiiny little mirror that lets them know if they have to flip an ace or keep it face down. I was brand new at blackjack at the time and didn't really put it together that it was useful information. It's good to know though next time I go back.
I play 6 deck shoes. Often cant see where the dealer places the cut card as the shoe is blocking my vision.
How do I know when to sit at a table? Am I supposed to wait for a new deck to start counting? Or is it as simple as sit whenever and just start counting?
I agree that sitting at the first base helps you count card. Cuz you can start counting your cards right before you hit or stand. Or you can start counting cards when dealer is dealing the cards. It's just that you have a bit of time to prepare to count cards or to start counting your first two cards before the round begins. Once you bust and deal takes the card away then you can start counting other players card.
I start with the dealer upcard, then go from 3rd to 1st. And yeah if you are at 1st it does help you count, but any counter who is interested in actually playing needs to have that running count updated before anyone makes a move.
I prefer 3rd base and use my cigarette pack to measure the number of decks in the discard rack on a shoe game. Sometimes though 3rd base isn’t open so I play at 1st base on those occasions. I make sure I have a good view of the shoe so I can see where the cut card is and when it gets down to the last deck to be dealt. Then I can up my bets if the true count is high enough.
But sitting at last would help you make playing deviation
What about the fact that you're basing your bet size on the count, and therefore if you're playing first base the count will be accurate at the time your first card comes out, and the count will likely change less by the time your second card comes out when compared to sitting third base where the count could have significantly changed by the time your hand is dealt, particularly when only 1.5 decks left in the shoe.
It's counterintuitive, but this doesn't make a difference.
At the point when you're betting, every future hand has exactly the same probability of winning. Info you get during the round can change that probability, and would be useful if you could update your bet partway through the round. But wherever you sit you can't use that info to decide your bet, so it doesn't make a difference.
4:00 Wouldn't you always just include that bottom in your running count? It's part of the deck after all, right?
Well, yes, but knowing the dealer's hole card means you know their hand. So if they have a ten up but a 5 under, then you play the hand as if they have a 5 showing. Or an 6 up and a 5 under, you play it like it's an Ace showing.
I have a huge question, card counters should always count every players hand right? I should be able to play with an edge with just counting my cards and the dealers card it just might be enough to make money. What if I can't see the players hand all the way at the hand? What if I'm scared of looking like I'm reading every player's hand? Any help would be appreciated.
Can you give me any advice on how to keeping self control inside any casino?
Oh man. That's tough. I would have to ask why you are going to the casino?
Is it to be a winning player, or "invest" as a card counter? If so, then what is happening emotionally when you lose self-control? Card counting is a marathon, in which you make correct decisions, thousands and thousands of times, in order for the math to work out. You cannot "lose control" and chase your money, overbet, or anything else. If you cannot keep control, then you are not an "investor" and will not ever be a winning player.
Or are you there to gamble? If so, what are you getting out of it? Do you have what it takes to handle the environment? If not, then you need to avoid casinos altogether.
Is there more chance of winning by standing behind a random player then count the card. Bet in the same box as that player when the count is high?
Melbourne Casino only has BlackJack with shoes with $50 minimum bet. And for a student, couple of grands bankroll are not that easy to have
unh hunh, play at an empty table makes sense, you'll only have to become a vampire and play between the hours of 3am and 6am.
I want to sit at first position. The count changes as cards are dealt. Why wouldn’t I want my bet to be based on the actual running count vs the running count before 5 previously unseen cards are dealt?
You should do a video about dealer tells, if you haven't already. At Excal on my first ever Vegas trip, I picked up on a dealer tell. This dealer would occasionally double-check the down card in the mirror window (10 value was up obviously). On the second time, I noticed that upon revealing, the card was a 4. I assumed correctly that this dealer had a hard time distinguishing a 4 from an A. Every time I saw that tell, I would press my luck by splitting or doubling down or standing when you clearly shouldn't. Probably netted me an extra 5-6 winning hands over the course of the dealer's shift that day.
I like first or 3rd base I get to see how the cards are running I like playing a 6 to 8 deck shoe
Here is a couple of questions about basic strategy:
• Basic strategy for card counters?
Or
B
•Basic strategy period?
I've stayed many many times on 15 and 16 vs a face card cause of a high + count, but basic blackjack strategy calls for a hit, correct?
Rene Iannicelli was having similiar questions. Lol lemme know if you find out
You're confusing "basic strategy for card counters" with "deviations." First you learn basic strategy (PERIOD). Then you learn to count. Then you learn to alter the basic strategy based on what the count is. These alterations to BS are called deviations.
@@88KeysIdaho Agreed
I normally like to sit more towards the middle to watch and count, however i have one dealer who's not very good at sliding his hole card without exposing it slightly (i doubt the other players can see it, maybe 2nd base also) so at that game i always try to sit on 1st
2:30 definitely suspicious if it's an obvious decision like a hard 20 and you're saying hold on. That's like asking to be backed off.
Where can I run those simulations? They are super useful
Something that I use, as a smoker I sit at 3rd base at a shoe game and stand my cigarette pack near the discard rack. Knowing the exact spots on the pack for 1-2-3 deck thicknesses (taking into consideration the thickness of the plastic on the bottom of the rack) I can more accurately estimate the number of decks that have been discarded. This also helps in fractions of decks discarded to calculate a more accurate true count. I’ve done this for years and have never been challenged by a dealer or pit boss. I usually play at an Indian casino in Oklahoma that has a 4 deck shoe and is a $10/$400 table. With only an allowed 40 unit spread they don’t get too fussed at a 10-12 bet spread, thinking the low max bet is sufficient to thwart card counters.
Sounds like a creative way to estimate the cards in the discard tray!
Definitly not suspicious at all.
"Hey dealer, can I place my pack along the box if you don't mind"
Colin, @0:53 you had mentioned that in DD about first and third base. However, you didn't mention anything on the middle. Did you find anything for that? ETA: when you mentioned sitting at 3rd base and the 1% - 2%, it could also be that yes your count is more accurate, however, the "effective pen" is higher too. So yes you get more info but also the effective pen is also better. So the player doesn't necessarily have to put more unseen cards "behind the cut card."
When you’re counting cards are you only
Counting your own cards or are you also counting the dealers too as well as your own? Also do you need to count the other peoples cards at the table? I’m just confused on who’s cards you’re supposed to keep track of
All of them
People who are regulars to this channel should no by now that nothing superstitious like where you sit or what hat you are wearing or--most importantly--the last hand (unless you are car counting) has anything to do with your odds of winning. Each hand is independent, and the cards don't care what hat you're wearing or where you are sitting.
How many hands before shuffling allows card counting? The casino I play at shuffles the whole deck every 3 to 4 hands.
Paul Burger I suggest that you don’t play at those places
@@1NslX I realized they provide a garbage game. Thanks for the reply.
Single Deck? You can learn a lot in the first 3 hands, and then bet accordingly. When I play single deck at a full table, the dealer only only has enough cards for two hands. So, I count the first hand, and increase my bet on the 2nd hand if the count is positive.
@@1NslX This is the right answer.
have you done simulations on no bust strategy vs basic?
I couldn't find a video but does anyone know if Colin ever covers EV when playing one hand vs. two?
I mean...it's EV times 2. Math is pretty simple on that one
1-2% difference is the casino edge on some games though right? Or are you saying it’s 1-2% difference of the 1% (or whatever it is) EV. So 1-2% of the 1%?
That second one. So you'd go from 1% to 1.02% at best
i prefer playing at a table where im alone. lets me have the freedom to play how i want.
play more hands cause dealer is faster and then no one to annoy me
Question: when the count is say in a true -1, is it ever a strategic play to double on 12s or 13s against say a 6?
@@Senior-care. Why would you even bother playing a -3 or -4? Unless it got to that mid-round I suppose.
Last I’m able to rough gauge whether or not it’s a 10 coming or not
When cards are dealt face down I prefer the middle seat I can see more cards in the middle. Also if a player doubles for less I like to make up the difference and win or lose with them.
Wouldn’t it make sense to be 1st because then you know the count that your hand receives versus if it becomes more unfavorable when it comes to you? (For double or single deck obv)
The more accurate your count, the higher your advantage. First base will have the least amount of information, so it will be a tiny bit worse.
@@rhpmike Only in a pitch game where the cards are dealt face down. Face up shoe games show all the information on the table
@@tmtmtlsml yes but you play in order. Newly revealed cards play from seat 1 to 2 and so on, so third base has slightly more info when they play their hand then first base.
@@rhpmike I think I misinterpreted your original comment. I thought you were saying that 1st base would have incomplete information from face down cards instead of just overall less of it. Of course you are correct that the less cards that are remaining, the less variance there will be, and 3rd base will always make their decisions with the least cards remaining relative to the other positions
Great videos. You should do one about software. And could i get your opinion on freebet/push 22 is it worth playing over standard blackjack?
Thanks! No, freebet has a house edge of 1.04%, which is roughly twice as bad as normal blackjack. You're not going to beat that game, even with card counting.
Thanks for the reply. Keep doing what your doing your videos help me alot
I definitely favor 3rd base or next to it. Being last to act before the dealer does give you an advantage of being able to alter your strategy as the count changes with other players hitting
You have a more accurate count (since there's less card in the deck) but a less accurate bet (since you've bet based on the count before the start of the round). I would have thought the math would put first seat ahead because of that, but it seems I would have been wrong. :)
I find that I am more successful with my decisions whether to double down and when to hit on a 12-16 when going last. Whichever cards dealt dictate if I think on average the next card will differ from that majority that has just shown itself. More often than not seems to work for me but I'm sure Colin would say over time, this would still work out in casinos favour and I understand that better now than when I first started playing. I guess that means I am on the right track 😁
Thanks for your helpful trano5 on pro BlackJack🌷, please make video on side bet on Blackjack( i mean on 21+3 /pair). Thanks so much
Video starts
"Don't play side bets. Thanks for watching."
There ya go, there's the script
Is this the same for an ENHC game?
My favorite is when one of the sheeple lose a double down and then won’t do it again. The pain of that first loss weighing heavily on their soul.
A. I. Had that problem when trying to solve poker
When it lost with AA it said "welp, never doing THAT again. "
Real story: I'm at first base, betting $25-$200. TC+2. Dealer pulls from the shoe to hit 3rd base, he gives clear stand signal. The card was an Ace! Clearly. The dealer stands and settles all bets. I have $800 in chips and bet it all. Dealer looks at me and gives me the Ace, then paints it. I like first base. Similar issues: cut card easily seen. discard tray better for me at first base (better perspective.) Easier to count. Never been backed off at first base. Total b/os 8.
Do you still play perfect strategy even if you have a 15 or 16 if count is positive ,or just always play perfect strategy no matter what count is ?
Chris Mercurio you have playing deviations based on the count.
What are those deviations ?
@@chrismercurio3140 Google the "illustrious 16" (or 20).
Almost every casino where i live use csm's, making is impossible to count cards
Give me the middle anytime. Easier to see everyone else's cards without looking like I'm looking. Got called out by a dealer just my 3rd time counting for staring across the table for the cards on the other end. She claimed she didn't care but of course I said "no, why do you think that?" when she asked "are you counting?" "Because you're paying attention" Yeah, got better at being more subtle at watching the cards and pick the middle when I can.
I do my best to always go one on one with the dealer. I make more per hour that way.
I never minded sitting at 3rd base because I was able to have a laugh and joke about controlling the outcome, especially if I was varying my play due to the count and saved the table with what might seem like a dumb play. Unfortunately I can't play anymore because of shuffle machines, but I did once love it so much when I could play with an edge.
While you can adjust your playing strategy based on the TC when it's your turn to play your hand vs. what the TC was when the round started (hitting your hard 16 vs. Dealer 10 with a negative count instead of standing with a positive count), you can't adjust your bet.
Therefore, isn't sitting at "first base" the best place to be, especially in a 2-deck game where the count can change drastically?
Let's say you are at 3rd base with a table of 5 players, the TC is +5 with a 1/2 deck left. Then, when the cards are dealt you have a hard 12 (10,2), the other 4 players all got high cards, and the Dealer's up card is a 6. Now, with a TC of -9, you've got a big bet out there (because of that TC of +5 before the round was dealt), and you've got to hit that 12 against the Dealer 6.
Yes, it could work the other way around as well. The TC could be at 0, so you bet the table minimum, and when all the cards are dealt you have 2 10s, everyone else got low cards, including the Dealer 2. So now the count is +14, which is all fine and dandy. The Dealer could very well bust; however, you bet the table minimum.
In either scenario, your bet could end up being much higher or lower than it should be when it's your turn to play out your hand.
Sitting at 1st base would cut the potential wild swing just about in half.
So, while your hand winning % may not change (much at all, if any) based on where you sit, wouldn't sitting last as opposed to first hurt your EV, assuming you are spreading your bets based on the TC?
Were you ever a "recreational" gambler or was it always more of a job for you? Would be interesting to hear more of what got you started. Keep up the good videos in any case!
Thanks! I've always been serious about card counting. I started small ($2,000 bankroll), but I have never been interested in "gambling," but only been interested beating the casino for profit.
When the dealer shows 10 or face upcard and they eventually have blackjack but they still let players continue to bet and in case they double or split they will lose more. Should I play at that table? Its online with live dealer BJ. Tks
Generally you wouldn't be doubling with a facecard up, unless you have an ace. In this case, I would consider not doubling or splitting if the dealer has a face card showing.
I would avoid the game if possible.
For me its as close to 3rd as possible. I use low bankrolls so I rely heavily on whether or not the count dictates that I use basic strategy, illustrious 18, or index plays. Also anyone with low bankrolls who want to play blackjack and not get wiped MUST learn some form of shuffle tracking too. You need to be able to notice patterns in the cards that come out.
The optimum for a counter is to play heads up, and play three separate hands if possible. But your bankroll has to be several thousand for that lol.
Question for the apprenticeship guys: How much more EV can someone generate if they have completely memorized Illustrious 18 and Index plays? I already have basic strategy completely memorized now I am working on index plays and illustrious 18.
Sitting first has the advantage of knowing how much money you will bet and even better for the card counter resulting from the last round of cards that had been passed out. You will bet more if the last round of cards has more small cards, chances are you will get higher cards coming to you first and vice versa. The idea that you want to lose less money and get more when you win.
Does anyone know if when counting a 6 card deck if the results should always be -4 ?
There is no counting system that is unbalanced like that. Most systems are balanced, meaning that if you count every card in the deck, your total is 0, but there are some unbalanced systems in existence. I just don't think any of them would give you a running count of -2/3 per deck
Where you can see!
I think of it this way, even if you play first, you are playing as if there was one extra person after the dealer on the previous hand. It’s not like any secret cards that got burned or something. The count is the count anyway
Would you prefer to play head up as a card counter or with people? And would you play the side bet?
Heads up, and never
Isn't it harder to count with multiple spots in play? We practice counting at home, maybe deal two spots to ourselves, but what if there are four or more people playing blackjack and hitting? Doesn't that make it more of a challenge to keep the count?
It can, but the more you do it, the more automatic it becomes. There's really no substitute for practicing in real casino environments, so you just get used to it after a while
what does your tattoo say?
One arm says "Love God" and the other arm says "Love your neighbor" in Hebrew.
@@Blackjackapprenticeship doesn't levitcus forbid this? seriously asking. or does the old covenant not apply now?
@@fodolocraigo8426 He's probably not Jewish, and not likely a follower of the Torah/Talmud, just because his tattoo is in Hebrew. He's more likely under the covenant of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ, Son of God, performed. He (I'm pretty sure), like me, is a believer in His death, burial, and resurrection.
The seats they provide
Absolutely the last chair is the best place because you can Best control the speed of the game and therefore keep the best count.
I prefer the middle seat in a facedown game I can see more cards in players hands and make better decisions.
There you go! Not a bad idea.
Colin!-When I Come to A Blackjack Table-I Sit-In The Middle!-When It's Just-The Dealer-There!-Only!-Raymond :Mike: Hong!&(At The Poker Room Tables!-I Sit@Any Seat!&Then-There's A Greater Chances Of Me-WINNING!@The Poker Tables!-With A Winning Hole-Cards!-Mike!)😎👍!!!!!!!!!
When and where? Boot camp?
I'm surprised you didn't say to try to make the table seam crowded. Like sit in the middle of 3 open seats so that no one new can sit down without having to sit next to a stranger and hopefully they go to a different table.
Either first or last. Don’t sit in the middle. If you sit in the middle it’s far easier to see your head movements intently watching cards come out.
Never thought of that lol
How to count closed cards of the dealer ? Or we just ignore it by the counting?
Here in the UK I used to think having the last box was the best bet as you have the "Control box" HOWEVER I now like to go first..Play correct method and let the other players f+++ there hands up..
My only regret is..I can’t ‘like’ ur videos more than once hahaha
what is EV?
Can’t keep track on help me Dexter using that’s my question
As previously pointed out, sitting 1st vs. last at the table is mathematically superior for 2 reasons. Best chance of getting the best cards with the count is high AND best chance to have your bet spread be appropriate for the hand you are dealt when all cards have been dealt.
The other advantage of being at 1st rather than last, is that some players request their double down card be dealt face down. If those players are after you, it doesn't affect the count when it's your turn to play; however, if you are last and let's say 4 hands have DD cards dealt face down (entirely possible, especially with splits), then when you make your play, the running count you are making your decision on could be off by 4. Imagine if you are 1 1/2 decks into a 2 Deck game. With just a half deck left to be dealt, that means your True Count, may be anything but "true" as it could be off by 8.
Kind of surprising that all of these factors were not addressed in the video.
Any free video's about how to card count?
I'll switch seats or move tables if the spot I'm playing is cold. I had a session where I played 8 different spots and couldn't catch anything. You will come across those every now and then unfortunately.
Where you sit has zero to do with what cards you "Catch"
I always like the first seat bc my hit/stand won’t matter that much
What is a realistic bet spread to beat a double deck game? 1-6?
1-8/1-12
I have a question - surely if you start counting cards as you join the table it’s going to be wrong as for example in your head you start at 0 but the table might be at a -6? Someone help pls
You don't sit down at a table (or start playing) until the dealer is shuffling, and starts a new shoe.
Wouldn’t it be better to play last not only to see more information from other cars but also a potential for a sloppy dealer to see the hole card?
Third base is best. But that is my opinion and my best win rate.
First base? Whatever. Only good if good people after you
It's crazy seeing the tetragrammaton every time this card counter has short sleeves. Love it!
3rc base would help deviations but not bets
A guy at third base once decided to split fives against a dealer six. He ended taking at least three face cards. The dealer had sixteen and hit a five.
even if it's a massive count, teh chance of them getting a facecard is maybe 1-2% more likely per card, you have to realize it's still nearly a coinflip, and many of the times they'll take a couple fives doing this, perhaps saving the table. One example does not disprove Colin's calcs on EV.
I do not like playing last, because then you get more feedback from other players who are wrongly convinced your choices effect their chances.
in the far east, we only have csms, i have not seen a shoe game... i found most profit on sitting first base though... playing against the dealer one on one is the worst ...
Playing last lets you hole card if you have a sloppy dealer
3:53 catch the dealers bottom card...this is so true, and I accidentally found this out in my earlier days of BJ. Weaker dealers sometimes accidentally expose their burn card and bottom card. And first base is usually the seat to catch a glimpse
The casino I go to, the dealer only deals one card to themselves and only proceeds to deal their cards after everyone else's cards have been acted on. Is that illegal?
There's no burn card where I play.
None the less I sit at the end of the table cuz I know I'll see everyone's cards much easier making it a bit easier to count.
Theres no measureable difference, but the last time i played, i went to a table where only 2nd was occupied. I sat down at 1st. The guy at 2nd got about a dozen blackjacks, and i lost all my money. Variance sucked that night.
i always like the 1st seat
I've got a photographic memory; I just haven't developed it yet.
Third base!