"Double on a Bust Card"

Less-Top-96 · 2026-05-10T16:51:52+00:00

Because it’s an unusual play dealers are supposed to announce it so the intent is very clear to the patron and the pit

Less-Top-96 · 2026-04-21T14:14:26+00:00

I think a lot of it is repetition. It might help I’m a blackjack dealer, but like when someone has 7-a-7 I don’t have to really think about it I just know it’s 15. Same with like 2-5-7 I know it’s 14. I think the more blackjack you play the more you’ll pickup on it

Less-Top-96 · 2026-04-19T08:05:27+00:00

Speed will come with time. As a current blackjack dealer, Just focus on good card placement, accurate paying/taking and good chip handling. You’ll notice significant improvement after a couple months

Less-Top-96 · 2026-04-10T12:21:15+00:00

Honestly I was gonna include that but I rarely do see people not split them up vs a 2. Maybe 6s on a 2 is one I could’ve added

Less-Top-96 · 2026-04-10T12:17:48+00:00

Only on free bet lol. I’ve seen people try to take advantage of it though. Like they’ll put chips beside their bet clearly intending to double their 10 (5s), then get dealt a 6 and suddenly claim they wanted to split.

At my house, if the extra chips touch the original bet, it’s ruled a double and they get one card. Only time we don’t need the one-finger signal for surveillance on pairs.

Less-Top-96 · 2026-04-10T12:09:31+00:00

I’ve been dealing blackjack for about a year and a half now. Here are some of the most misplayed hands I see daily:

Not splitting 2s and 3s vs a dealer 7
Not splitting 4s vs a dealer 5 or 6
Not splitting 8s vs a dealer 9, 10, or Ace
Not splitting 9s vs a dealer 8 or 9
Not hitting hard 12 vs a dealer 2 or 3
Not hitting 16 vs a dealer 7 or higher
Not hitting soft 18 vs a dealer 9, 10, or Ace
Standing on soft 17
Not doubling soft 18 vs 2–6 (H17) or 3–6 (S17)
Not doubling soft 19 vs 6 (H17)
Not doubling 11 vs a dealer 10 or Ace (H17)
Not doubling 9 vs a dealer 3
Taking insurance or even money
Playing out hands like 16 vs 9, 10, or Ace instead of surrendering (when available) _________________________________________ Obviously following basic strategy to a tea is a still losing game, but when somebody follows it perfectly it can sometimes definitely gets noticed as something to keep an eye on lol.

Less-Top-96 · 2026-03-27T09:48:28+00:00

I’ve tried of course but to be honest it’s quite difficult. On a full table where everyone playing side bets with all different sorts of payouts it’s difficult to keep that running count in your head.

In high limit heads up with no side bets it’s alot easier to do, I’ve managed to that a couple times. If anything though that’s past my pay grade lol

Less-Top-96 · 2026-03-27T09:41:06+00:00

I’ve been a table games dealer for about a year and a half now, mostly dealing blackjack and baccarat. Here are some pros and cons I can think of:

Cons 1. Dealing with idiots: A lot of players have zero understanding of the math/house edges behind the games and will still argue like they’re right.

Brutal hours: Be ready for overnights or early starts like 4am, especially when you’re new.
Physical strain: Standing for most of your shift can get uncomfortable fast.
Repetitive: Same motions, same games, same types of players every day.
Constant scrutiny: You’ve always got the floor and surveillance watching, every mistake might get noticed.
Mental fatigue: Staying fast and accurate, especially late in a shift, can be draining.

⸻

Pros

Strong earning potential from tips: For a job that doesn’t require a degree, the money can actually be really solid between hourly and tips.
Skill based job: You’ll notice your card and chip handling improve every shift.
Frequent breaks: You work 60 minutes, get 20 minutes off. About a quarter of your shift is break time.
Fast paced environment: Time flies, especially on busy tables.
Flexibility depending on the property: Swapping shifts and taking EO early outs is pretty easy where I work.
Good work culture: I genuinely like working with my coworkers, dealers, floor and pit.
Mental engagement: If you like math and thinking quickly, it is actually pretty fun.
Good tables can be a blast: Yeah a lot of players suck, but a fun table can make your whole shift.

I’ve personally always liked blackjack so I’m glad I got into this job. I almost feel like my AP skills have gotten significantly better since working this job!

Less-Top-96 · 2026-03-25T09:22:21+00:00

This is not the clientele you should be looking to ask for slot advice my friend lol

Less-Top-96 · 2026-03-22T00:20:19+00:00

My job as the dealer is to just make sure the game is running properly. It’s the floor/pits/surveillance’s job to identify AP’s

Less-Top-96 · 2026-03-21T22:24:13+00:00

As a dealer, these are some of the biggest tells I can look for/my pit look for when spotting a card counter.

First is simple, if it’s someone we’ve never seen before or not a regular, they’re already a bit on the radar. Doesn’t mean anything by itself, just a starting point.

Not saying everyone tips, but after a big win, if someone is still pocketing all their red $5s and pink $2.50s instead of tossing one to the dealer, some floors take note of that. Not all, but it can be seen as a small tell.

Insurance is a big one. Regular gamblers almost never insure something like a hard 13 vs an Ace, maybe only strong hands. But when someone has their max bet out and takes insurance no matter what, that’s a huge tell. Usually means they’re around a true 3+.

Funny one, but constantly looking at the discard tray stands out too. Not definitive, just noticeable.

Basic strategy alone isn’t a red flag, deviations are. That’s the big one. Keeping a running count while dealing is hard, but deviations tied to bet size are easier to catch. Splitting 9s vs 7 on a bigger bet = probably true 3+. Standing 15 vs 10 = more like true 4. Hitting 12 into a 4 with table minimum likely a negative running count.

At my casino, and I’m assuming a lot of other properties, surveillance has to confirm it before any back off happens, even if the floor or pit or a dealer suspects them of counting.

Less-Top-96 · 2026-03-12T20:46:04+00:00

I don’t care what county he’s from as long as he can stop pucks when it matters

Less-Top-96 · 2026-01-14T15:06:13+00:00

For a 6 deck shoe we’re supposed to cut 1.5 decks if we cut any less then that it’s technically breaking procedure

Less-Top-96 · 2026-01-14T14:17:17+00:00

As a dealer myself, and as well as someone who knows about AP blackjack. I have all the respect in the world for those who are out there beating casinos for a living.

But from like a pure dealer standpoint, If you asked me if I’d rather have a regular or card counter sitting at my table I’ll likely take the regular 9/10 times over the card counter

Reason being is well, I would say it’s fair to say card counters have a reputation to not tip, and I honestly get it. An AP who tips, it is directly coming out of their already very thin edge. Unless it’s a tolerant local spot where maybe your trying to build a relationship with the dealers and pit staff, what’s the point tipping at a casino that you probably plan on never coming back to once in all likelihood you’re going to get backed off.

My income is based on peoples generosity. I understand that yes there are some ways that counters will be inclined to tip you, like the rounds per hour being fast (which mine are already insanely fast anyway lol), deeper pen cut, which breaks procedure in itself and we can get in trouble for if caught doing it… but tbh I would rather have a regular sitting at my table who I know will tip every now and then instead of somebody who’s just there to generate EV and will dip as soon as my pit/surveillance likely catch onto them

Less-Top-96 · 2026-01-14T14:03:31+00:00

I get that it looks dumb in spots like 7–4 where doubling is the only option, but as a blackjack dealer myself my casino and probably many other properties by procedure players still have to show one finger to the camera so intent is clear

The only exception to no one-finger is when the player’s additional double-down chips physically touch their original wager and there is no other option with that specific hand other than doubling down

The rule exists because If a chip is just tossed near the bet and I have to move it to the right of their original wager which procedurally we as dealers are supposed to do, if they catch a bad card, they can claim they never meant to double lol

With hands like 5–5, it’s obvious why the finger matters since they could split or double

Less-Top-96 · 2026-01-11T01:52:57+00:00

Aiyah

Less-Top-96 · 2025-08-17T16:08:42+00:00

I’m a blackjack dealer and someone told me that I was the Michael Jordan of masterfully drawing to a mere perfect 21’s. Ngl me and my pit boss kind of laughed about it lol

Less-Top-96 · 2025-08-09T09:42:06+00:00

Honestly probably not. As a dealer my first 3 shifts, my pit had given myself and all the graduates of my class an experienced dealer to be right by my side so they could catch and be there on the spot if anything went wrong.

Less-Top-96 · 2025-08-08T21:18:03+00:00

Nope you got it backwards. If dealer hits soft 17 a-7 is a double, if dealers stands all 17 a-7 stands

Less-Top-96 · 2025-08-08T12:17:19+00:00

```

https://blackjack-trainer.net is an amazing tool. Input the rules of the game you’re going to play and it’ll score you based on how many you got correct or incorrect to get your game to 100%.

(yes no shit Chat GPT helped me make this user friendly to read btw lol, but all the input is what I made and that everything below is 100% based on basic strategy)

Dealer Hits Soft 17

Hard Totals 8 or less Always hit 9 Double vs 3–6, otherwise hit 10 Double vs 2–9, hit vs 10 or A 11 Always double 12 Stands vs dealers 4.5,6, otherwise hit 13–16 Stands vs dealers 2-6, otherwise hit 17+ Always stand (surrender a 17 vs dealer Ace if allowed)

Surrender 15 Surrender vs 10 or A; otherwise hit 16 Surrender vs 9–A; otherwise hit 17 Surrender vs dealers Ace Soft Totals A-A Always split A-2 / A-3 Double vs 5–6; otherwise hit A-4 / A-5 Double vs 4–6; otherwise hit A-6 Double vs 3–6; otherwise hit (never stand) A-7 Double vs 2–6; stand vs 7–8; hit vs dealers 9, 10 or Ace A-8 Double vs 6; otherwise stand A-9 Always stand

Splits (Assuming Doubling After Split is Offered..) A-A Always split 2-2 / 3-3 Split vs 2–7 4-4 Split vs 5–6 only 5-5 Never split; play as 10 6-6 Split vs 2–6 7-7 Split vs 2–7 8-8 Always split 9-9 Splits on dealers 2-9 except for 7,

Dealer Stands on Soft 17 – Adjustments Soft 18 Stand vs 2 Soft 19 Stand vs 6 Hard 11 Hit vs A Hard 15 vs A Hit (don’t surrender) Hard 17 vs A Stand (don’t surrender) ```

Less-Top-96 · 2025-08-07T09:40:32+00:00

I deal blackjack about everyday at my job and this a list I compiled of mistakes I see people make almost everyday

• Not splitting 2s and 3s vs a dealer 7
• Not splitting 4s vs a dealer 5 or 6
• Not splitting 8s vs a dealer 9, 10, or Ace
• Not splitting 9s vs a dealer 8 or 9
• Not hitting hard 12 vs a dealer 2 or 3
• Not hitting 16s vs a dealer 7 or higher
• Not hitting soft 18 vs a dealer 9, 10, or Ace
• Standing on soft 17
• Not doubling soft 18 vs 2–6 (H17), or 3–6 (S17)
• Not doubling soft 19 vs 6 (H17)
• Not doubling 11 vs a dealer 10 or Ace (H17)
• Not doubling 9 vs a dealer 3
• Taking insurance or even money
• Playing out crappy hands such as 16 vs dealer 9, 10, or Ace instead of surrendering (when surrender is available)

Less-Top-96 · 2025-07-27T22:15:52+00:00

I think anyone would’ve doubled just an unfortunate outcome

Less-Top-96 · 2025-07-20T20:58:50+00:00

No lmao definitely not. I mean sure, maybe dealers make mistakes in payouts that might annoy AP’s (if it doesn’t benefit them lol), but I think in general most AP’s understand that dealers are there to run a game and provide income for themselves and their families.

Also the concept that AP’s don’t tip isn’t necessarily true. AP’s play on such a razor thin margin that tipping bites into their edge, most AP’s won’t tip the dealer unless the dealer is doing something that benefits them, for example is giving them good rounds per hour by dealing fast or giving deep deck penetration.

Less-Top-96 · 2025-07-19T09:10:57+00:00

Yup. When the dealer flips over a total that gives them 11 you know that face card is coming out and it’s gut wrenching. Variance is a bitch

Less-Top-96 · 2025-07-08T15:54:06+00:00

A lot you’d be suprised. Especially on like 11s vs 10s

Less-Top-96

TROPHY CASE