Empty tables generate unwanted heat

[blackjackomaha]

I enjoy playing heads up whenever I can. Unfortunately, the pitch games I like are usually watched the most. When certain shift PC's aren't paying much attention it's fine. However, on other shifts, I make sure someone else with larger bets is at the same table.

 

[tribute]

I've only played black jack in Canada, Alberta, Calgary and this site is filled with all these "heat" stories.


The table here have a pretty decent min-max
$5-$200
early surrender
6 decks
split on any 2 cards
allowed to resplit aces
allowed to double on any 2 cards.

Please explain "Early Surrender". Never seen that one where I play.

 

[BJgenius007]

Please explain "Early Surrender". Never seen that one where I play.

The dealer lets players surrender before he checks the hole card if he got Blackjack. The correct move is to surrender most of the hands whenever dealer's upcard is Ace.

 

[kewljason]

I find this thread very amusing. I think, as a group, we are paranoid, and sometimes think more of our selves and abilities than the casinos do.

Most of my BJ play has taken place in one of two locations, AC and Vegas. In AC empty tables were never an issue for me. There weren't any! :laugh: Maybe things have changed in the last year of so as the climate grew worse for the casino industry there, but on my last visit, last summer I still didn't see many empty tables. Maybe less people playing, but the 'managed to full' policies eliminated empty tables.

Now in Vegas, empty tables are quite common, especially if you play weekdays and/or morning/day shifts. So I walk into a lower strip property at 10:30 am. Pit is very slow with 3 empty tables, dealers staring straight ahead like robots, a couple of pit dudes leaning on the furniture, apparently unable to support themselves without it. I sit down and start to play a few hands. Count goes up and I start to raise my bet. Not max bet, but getting there. I look up and the dealer at next table is watching as are the 2 pit goofballs. I think, my god this place is sweaty as I have only spread 1-7 so far on 6 deck game. But guess what? It's just not so. As all that is happening is that I have provided something more interesting to pass the time for these folks. The dealer at the empty table is just tired of watching tourists with goofy tee-shirts walk by. The pit guys are long since worn out their discussion of the wife's fender bender accident, or son Tommy's suspension from school for fighting or putting the the 13 year old family dog spot to sleep. And the game on TV last night wasn't that interesting and one of them isn't even really a sports fan. :laugh: So I have provided a welcome distraction. They aren't "hawking" me, they are simply "using" me to pass the time for another hour until they head home. And the truth is, their eyes may be watching my game and play, but their mind is a million miles away. Many times, these are just people trying to get through their day.

I don't find Vegas that sweaty in general. Maybe the level that I play green to black isn't a threat to the stores that I frequent, or maybe my style of play, short sessions/move around alot with minimal exposure, has served me well, but the truth is that I have received more heat including counter-measures like half shoeing in AC than Vegas. I am not saying heat and backoff don't happen in Vegas. Of course they do. I am just sharing my experiences and raising the possibility that the 2 guys hawking your play might just be bored out of their mind rather than think you to be Ken Uston re-incarnated. :laugh:

 

[ms069279]

I am just sharing my experiences and raising the possibility that the 2 guys hawking your play might just be bored out of their mind

Kewljason, you are absolutely right... I thought this exact way from the very beginning, I was asking to confirm. I also believe that they were using my play as something to break the monotony...

Regardless though, whether they are being kept amused and entertained by my play or not -- they are still involved in my game and may very well become more attentive to certain index moves, camo plays, ramps and spreading, etc. I would have constantly had to be "on-guarde", as at some point something that I did or perhaps didn't do, might trigger some sort of reaction and possibly wake them up from their spell and demystify them.

BTW, AC during the week is a ghost-town, especially in the AM hours. When you went in the summer though, it's still packed - as one would expect a beach town to be.

Also, as I mentioned, I was playing reds, so def not Ken Uston...

(PS. I read that Ken wasn't a great counter at all - couldn't even handle his own UPC...) :joker:

 

[alwayssplitaces]

AC in the winter is a ghost town most of the day. But during the summer it's always busy as it's a vacation destination.

 

[tribute]

The dealer lets players surrender before he checks the hole card if he got Blackjack. The correct move is to surrender most of the hands whenever dealer's upcard is Ace.

(This really should move to a "Surrender" thread, but one last comment)

I see what you mean. Yes, many hands should be surrendered against the Ace. I looked at the Basic Strategy Engine.

 

[metronome]

That's is an excellent point about heads up play. I found that I end up opening up a few tables because when I sit down to play solo the other chicken---- players want to play. It surprises me how many players have an outright fear of playing alone. I understand the mindset but find it amusing to say the least. I wish I had the bankroll to play a high limit table so as to have the table to myself.

This drives me nuts. You jump to an empty table and manage to play a couple of shoes, with positive results and wham...here they come.
And they follow you from the table you left...grass is always greener mind-set ??

 

[CalgaryBlackJack]

possibly the best rules ever? oh, what's the "pene"?

opps my bad "double on any 2 cards"

 

[victorino]

opps my bad "double on any 2 cards"

no problemo. the question remains, however, what's the deck penetration?

on the thread topic, it certainly does seem that with less customers around, the employees seem more zombie-like. and, they also look more zombie-like... :laugh:

 

[blackjack avenger]

3 Biggest Heat Variables

When you play and crowds have effect on heat. The OP was playing $5 to $50?; and worried about heat, it's probably not going to happen. However, they saw him and that is when heat can start. If the casino was crowded they may not have even seen him. In most casinos under $100 bets during crowded times, one is a blur in the crowd.

Do any of these 3 big enough and you have heat!
buy ins
bets
winning

Now with the crowds and other distractions they may not notice you as quickly, but you can easily become the hottest thing in the casino immediately if you do the above big enough. The casinos are a business and they are going to watch where the action is.

:joker::whip:
good cards

 

[JohnGalt1]

That's is an excellent point about heads up play. I found that I end up opening up a few tables because when I sit down to play solo the other chicken---- players want to play. It surprises me how many players have an outright fear of playing alone. I understand the mindset but find it amusing to say the least. I wish I had the bankroll to play a high limit table so as to have the table to myself.

You don't have to bet large to play solo or with only a few players. When you sit down at an empty table, ask to have it made non smoking.

That'll keep many from joining you. Some will want to sit down, see the non smoking sgn, and keep walking.

I do 90% of my play at non smoking tables because I have allergies.

 

[ms069279]

The OP was playing $5 to $50?; and worried about heat, it's probably not going to happen. However, they saw him and that is when heat can start. If the casino was crowded they may not have even seen him.

That's exactly my point...

Do any of these 3 big enough and you have heat!
buy ins
bets
winning

Now with the crowds and other distractions they may not notice you as quickly, but you can easily become the hottest thing in the casino immediately if you do the above big enough. The casinos are a business and they are going to watch where the action is.

Agreed

 

[1357111317]

I am pretty sure CBJ is referring to "Early surrender v 10" where you cant surrender vs an ace. I coudl be wrong on this but he can clarify this.