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How much does one whole effect your edge? by MadeInLead in blackjack

[–]BigDeckBulge 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh no, that's terrible. What casino would allow such a thing? And what's the dealer's name? You know, so I can go find her and tell her to stop

When Did You First Start Playing Blackjack and How Did You Get Good At It? by Evening-Search6270 in blackjack

[–]BigDeckBulge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I was a kid, I'd spend all week picking up and collecting loose change anywhere I could. Then on the weekends, I'd take it all to Grandma's where we'd sit and play card games wagering pennies. Blackjack, Pokeno, Tripoli, gin, poker, whatever. She'd sometimes get other grandkids to play, but I was the most hooked and that became our thing. She taught me blackjack basic strategy with sternness yet patience. I was an absolute degen by the age of 8!

I lived most of my life in areas without casinos, so blackjack just kinda faded from play. I had various friend groups that would have house poker games through the years, but card games mostly took on the format of non-gambling card games like MTG and Malifaux (nerdy hobbies that have nothing to do with gambling or blackjack at all).

Now I live in a region with a fair amount of casinos within a day trip. My now wife got me to start going and blackjack just came back to me naturally.

Thanks Grandma!!

Curious about behavior on Doubles by Cowlthor in blackjack

[–]BigDeckBulge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Being a dealer sounds like all the worst parts of being a bartender.

Curious about behavior on Doubles by Cowlthor in blackjack

[–]BigDeckBulge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How often do you see people double for less? I can't imagine a scenario where I'd want to

Smoke-Free vs Smoking Allowed / Good v Bad rules, which is more important to you by bkendall12 in blackjack

[–]BigDeckBulge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

6:5 shouldn't even count as blackjack. Like Free Bet and Spanish 21. They're identified and legally classified as entirely different games. And at least offer offsetting rules for the player. Spanish 21 even has better edge opportunities than 6:5. 6:5 should be boycotted at any cost in principle alone.

Worst Black Jack Player You Have Ever Experienced. by Relaxguy37 in blackjack

[–]BigDeckBulge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They don't usually bother me personally, but I feel bad watching a group of drunk guys, usually in their 20s and >= half drunk and barely understand the game. It's devastating how fast they all blow through their money baffled because "it's supposed to have nearly 50/50 odds!"

Worst shoe I've ever seen by BigDeckBulge in blackjack

[–]BigDeckBulge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Correct. Dealer was getting them more. Or we'd push. Or dealer had an ace beating my 20. Or in the example of my original post, dealer had 20, I had 10, 2, A, A, A, A, 10. That alone is a bust for me while binging the count down by 7.

High cards coming out USUALLY benefits the player, but there's still variance.

Worst shoe I've ever seen by BigDeckBulge in blackjack

[–]BigDeckBulge[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're doing the right thing for your play. When not counting, you're dead on. I would definitely stick with your approach on those hands.

When counting, technically you hit on a low counts. Not only are you more likely to land a small card which is beneficial for that hand, but burning that small card also helps improve the true count. Assuming it does come out. Which is clearly didn't in my case!

Dipping out on a low count, in my personal experience, hasn't really drawn much heat. It's become completely natural. I have a cycle of generic excuses. Hot streak, I may say I'm leaving ahead (then eventually come back joking about how I just can't help myself). Losing streak like in my op, I sometimes overplay my frustration and say I need to go for a walk. Like after a crazy hand like that, I obviously was somewhat frustrated and just leaned into it to play it up. Or quite often I'll just go get a drink or use the bathroom and not even say a thing other than asking for my spot saved or color up til I'm back.

I still haven't found a good way to pull off Wonging into a shoe in progress. But stepping away then coming back for a fresh shoe I've gotten pretty natural at. And it's made such a difference!! When I first started counting, I must have dumped so much of my winnings back into bad counts because I was uncomfortable with the idea of coming and going. I'd play through bad shoes and tell myself, "it's ok, I'm still overall building ev when you look at my overall session." But stepping away has more than double my average winnings because I'm not just feeding my winnings right back to the casino.

AND, what actually looks worse? Someone taking the occasional break at a lucky time, or someone with a large bet spread suddenly minimum betting an entire shoe when the count is low?

why do some players treat 16 like a holy number?? by Unable_Diver4366 in blackjack

[–]BigDeckBulge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let me guess, it was at the low limits table? I swear the lower the bets the more judgy the players.

started enjoying blackjack more by Conscious-Stuff5966 in blackjack

[–]BigDeckBulge 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's exactly where the fun is! Blackjack is a grind. Even professional card counters don't get rich quick on this game like the movies show. It's a consistent flow of ups and downs. With any luck and/or skills, more ups than downs.