A table of 12s vs dealer 2

[tensplitter]

Thought I'd share this funny experience.

At the Parx casino in PA, 4 out of 5 players at a table get dealt a 12 and one gets dealt a pair of eights. I get dealt a 12. The count was slightly positive before this round and got even more positive after the small cards came out to make the player's 12s.
First base has a pair of sixes and stands. Second stands on their pair of 8s. Third player stands on ten-2. I have 8-4 and stand because the count is positive. Last player has a 3-9 and hits, and gets a 9 for a 21! The dealer had a ten in the hole and draws another ten to bust.

The ploppy at third base tells me that he only hit his 12 because everyone else stood. If I had hit my 12 he says he would have stayed. The reason for that odd behavior was, as he said, "the book says that one player at a table must hit a 12 against a 2 or 3". I tell him that basic strategy is to hit a 12 against a 2 or 3 no matter what. He insists that is wrong, and that only one person should hit their 12 against a 2 or 3 to "direct the bust card" to the dealer. He also said to me "It's in the book, why don't you read it."

Sad thing is, what happened at this table will reinforce his idiotic notion of what "the book" says because he hit his 12 and got a 9. If he hadn't hit, then the dealer would have gotten the 9 and gotten a 21, beating everyone.

 

[HockeXpert]

We have to love ploppies because without them the (somewhat good) games would disappear.

AP definition of "it's in the book" = a computer simulation tells me this is the correct play

Ploppy definition of "it's in the book" = based on ploppy folklore, this is the correct play

You broke two cardinal sins of cc'ing, 1. admitting you have a brain and 2. socializing with ploppies. Both can get you into trouble.:laugh:

HockeXpert

 

[21forme]

The count was slightly positive before this round and got even more positive after the small cards came out to make the player's 12s.

I tell him that basic strategy is to hit a 12 against a 2 or 3 no matter what.

Are you aware the index for standing on 12 v 2 is +3? If the count was "slightly positive," how did you reach this index in one round in a 6D shoe?

Second, never argue with ploppies. After you told him BS says to hit, the next question could (and should) have been, "so why didn't you hit if you know that?"

 

[Sucker]

This is the perfect example of how we can learn from anyone, INCLUDING the ploppies. Store this in your memory banks. There will be a time when you will make an index play that happens to be similar to what he did, and people will ask you why. Now you know exactly what to say in order to look like just another ploppy, rather than a smart player. I've personally picked up some of my best lines by listening to some of the cockamamie reasoning I've heard coming out of the mouths of some of these idiots.

(But then again, how do you know that that was a ploppy, and not ME at that table?) :devil:

 

[UK-21]

Are you aware the index for standing on 12 v 2 is +3? If the count was "slightly positive," how did you reach this index in one round in a 6D shoe?

Second, never argue with ploppies. After you told him BS says to hit, the next question could (and should) have been, "so why didn't you hit if you know that?"

Quite. If you use hi-lo (as I do) the difference in putting your index for 12v2 in TC+3 or TC+4 is negligible, due to the effect that aces are counted as +1, and the three cards that will result in a probable winning hand - the 7s,8s,9s - aren't counted at all. From a pure maths point of view the balance of probabilities suggest you should have taken a card!

 

[Renzey]

The ploppy at third base tells me that he only hit his 12 because everyone else stood. If I had hit my 12 he says he would have stayed. The reason for that odd behavior was, as he said, "the book says that one player at a table must hit a 12 against a 2 or 3".

In this universe of ploppies, I've noticed a prevalent belief that somebody -- anybody -- any one player at the table -- must take a hit with their stiff in order to not defile the almighty, sacred, player-friendly order of the cards. There are groups of ploppies who will even commandeer a table so that they can confer and agree to "sacrifice" the smallest bet at the table with a hit, in order to preserve probable victory for the rest; as in "taking one for the team".

 

[Mr. T]

Yes, this is Realty BJ. The funny thing is that they are the only ones making the right play. All others are spoiling the game. It also happen to me just like the OP said. This is what makes BJ sometimes unplayable for others.

 

[Geoff Hall]

Are you aware the index for standing on 12 v 2 is +3? If the count was "slightly positive," how did you reach this index in one round in a 6D shoe?

Second, never argue with ploppies. After you told him BS says to hit, the next question could (and should) have been, "so why didn't you hit if you know that?"

21forme,

You're right although it's possible that the shoe had less than 2 decks left (for example) before that round was dealt. The low cards would then have had a more dramatic effect on the true count.

I'm surprised that the player on the end didn't query why seat 2 didn't split the 8's, which is by far the worse play than hitting or standing on 12.

I wonder what 3rd base would have done then :grin: ???

 

[Brock Windsor]

21forme,

......
I wonder what 3rd base would have done then :grin: ???

double for less of course. That's the right play but only if your up so you're risking the house money to make more. After all you'll only bust one third of the time on your double but the dealer is showing a bust card so it makes sense...
:joker:

 

[Mr. T]

Always watch out for the guy in third base. He is usually there for a reason. He is a know-all type and want to control the game at the table.

I once sat down next to third base because someone just left the seat. The table was full. It took me 1 second to realise that this woman in third base was scolding and having an arguement with the woman in first base because as she said the first base woman doesn't know how to play BJ. I tried to calm down the situation by saying we are all here to enjoy the game and let everybody play their own game. The third base woman shot back at me
" Excuse me, the name of the game is not for everybody to play their own game. The name of the game is to bust the dealer". I soon realise the third base woman doesn't even know you can surrender your hand and double your soft 2 card hand. She was in third was because she think she knows what the next card in the pack would be. And she want to dictate how everybody on the table is playing.