I'm getting ready to try my luck at a little casino blackjack in a few days, but I've never played before (in a live setting), and I'm a little unsure of all the signals and protocols. I just want to avoid looking stupid, as much as possible. I think I know the hand signals for hit and stay, but I'm not sure how to signal a double down or a split. Also, what is the usual protocol on tipping? Any other tips, warnings or suggestions would be very much appreciated. :thumb:

Don't count cards...they don't take too kindly to that haha!

 

As for double down and splitting...I think you can just say, "Double Down" or "Split".

Pretty simple....Double down is simply doubling your bet by placing more chips on the table. The dealer will know what you mean.

 

Split, you place more chips on the table and make a spliting motion with your fingers. Or you can just say split for simplicity sake. :lol:

 

Tipping is up to you. Usually if I'm running good, I'll tip pretty generously. Otherwise, I usually tip any of my little chips (i.e. when you hit a blackjack and you get one of those stupid $2.50 chips).

 

Other than that, the key is to always assume the dealer has a face card (ten) hidden. Remeber they have to hit on anything up to 16. So if they're showing a 3 or 4, and you have a 12 or 13, the proper play (by the book) is to stay. Odds are they'll bust. If they have 14, the only cards that harm you are 3-7.

 

Hopefully that makes sense.

Another tip you may want to be aware of: When you first get to the table, if it's in the middle of a shoot, you may want to ask the other players at the table if they mind you joining in, or if they'd rather you wait till the next shoot. 95% of the time they won't mind, but if the shoot is really running hot, they may not want to risk the flow of the cards changing.

If you are unsure of what to do seriously ask the Dealer they will tell you what the "correct" thing to do is based on the odds. Tipping is really up each person and how much or little they are betting. I'm not sure of a standard percentage. If you win a good number of hands in a row I'd throw them a few bucks.

I'm getting ready to try my luck at a little casino blackjack in a few days, but I've never played before (in a live setting), and I'm a little unsure of all the signals and protocols. I just want to avoid looking stupid, as much as possible. I think I know the hand signals for hit and stay, but I'm not sure how to signal a double down or a split. Also, what is the usual protocol on tipping? Any other tips, warnings or suggestions would be very much appreciated. :thumb:

Best piece of advice I could ever give a novice. If you ever have any doubts on what to do in a given situation just ask the dealer. They will tell you what "the card" says you should do, so do not be afraid to ask them. Your tablemates will like you a whole lot more if you do.

 

The dealers appreciate tipping but you aren't likely to be frowned upon if you don't. It's really up to you. If I'm running good I'll usually get some ones to use for tipping. However, the drink girls will definitely look down upon you if you don't tip and if you get labeled as a non-tipper you'll find they won't come around at all.

 

If you want to double-down just place your second bet in the upper right corner of your first one. If you want to split place your second bet to the left of your first one. The dealer will know what your intentions are. Or as UKMF says, you can just say it.

Another tip you may want to be aware of: When you first get to the table, if it's in the middle of a shoot, you may want to ask the other players at the table if they mind you joining in, or if they'd rather you wait till the next shoot. 95% of the time they won't mind, but if the shoot is really running hot, they may not want to risk the flow of the cards changing.

Excellent tip. I do not like people to jump in the middle of my shoe.

 

P.S. You realize it's "shoe" and not "shoot", right?

Excellent tip. I do not like people to jump in the middle of my shoe.

 

P.S. You realize it's "shoe" and not "shoot", right?

 

Yes, :lol: When I first started playing, I didn't realize it, and instead of changing I've just continued to call it shoot. I'm stubborn.

 

Of course, now that I've done it so long, I forget that others probably don't know what the heck I mean when I say "shoot". :lol:

Yes, :lol: When I first started playing, I didn't realize it, and instead of changing I've just continued to call it shoot. I'm stubborn. :lol:

:lol: :lol:

 

That's pretty funny.

I have dealt licensed charity Blackjack before. Ties went to the house, and we made a lot of money for charity. I have never played in a casino, but I would not play where ties go to the house.

Ties don't go to the house in a regular casino.

This is great advice, guys -- thanks so much! I just got a set of "basic strategy" cards and have been practicing with them. I won about $4,000 "simu-dollars" last night, playing $100 bets. Hoping I have the same luck in Vegas.

 

One thing though: I have six different strategy cards. Two are for a 1-deck shoe, two are for a 2-deck shoe, and two are for 4/6/8-deck shoes. There are two of each, because one is for dealer hits on soft 17 and the other for stays on soft 17. Do they generally use the higher number of decks in Vegas?

^Not sure what they use in Vegas. I would just take all the cards with you and ask the dealer how many decks they use. I would assume most use the 6-8 deck "shoes" though.

If you're on third base, never, ever take the dealer's bust card. Oh, and no matter where you are, don't split 10s and face cards.

This is great advice, guys -- thanks so much! I just got a set of "basic strategy" cards and have been practicing with them. I won about $4,000 "simu-dollars" last night, playing $100 bets. Hoping I have the same luck in Vegas.

 

One thing though: I have six different strategy cards. Two are for a 1-deck shoe, two are for a 2-deck shoe, and two are for 4/6/8-deck shoes. There are two of each, because one is for dealer hits on soft 17 and the other for stays on soft 17. Do they generally use the higher number of decks in Vegas?

Your "standard" game will probably use a 6 deck shoe. Though with most casino's you can usually find a double-deck "pitch" game. The easy way to tell the difference is the dealer won't be using an auto-shuffler but instead shuffling them theirselves and players are allowed to hold their cards in this game. I've never seen one with a minimum bet of less than $25 though. But it's what I typically like to play when playing blackjack.

 

Take all the cards (though the one deck game is basically obsolete, I've never personally seen one) and decide what you like on the first day then just go back with it from then on. If you are betting enough to meet the minimum I think you'll enjoy the pitch game the best.