European Games

[BradRod]

Greetings all, Hope everyone is playing rich games.

I am travelling to Europe this week. Will mainly be in Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria.

Does anyone know what the games are like there? Is there a typical "European" game or does it vary by country ? What rule variations might they have ?

I heard that they do not peak to see if the dealer has BJ or not.

Is counting against the law in any country outsode the US and Canada ?

I have identified a couple of casinos there that I will visit. Will post a report of what I find when I return . Any information or resources will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Titaniumman]

Went to Europe Last August.

I am travelling to Europe this week. Will mainly be in Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria.

I didn't go to those countries, but I went to Italy, Switzerland, France, and Monaco.

Does anyone know what the games are like there? Is there a typical "European" game or does it vary by country ? What rule variations might they have? I heard that they do not peak to see if the dealer has BJ or not.

ENHC - European No Hole Card - The dealer does not receive a second card until all the players have played their hand. The problem is that if a player has doubled down or split, <u>all money</u> on the table is taken if the dealer wins. All of the games I saw were six deck CSM.

Is counting against the law in any country outsode the US and Canada ?

Not so much as illegal, but Eastern European countries like the ones you are visiting have a reputation for taking even stronger measures against counters than the U.S.

I have identified a couple of casinos there that I will visit. Will post a report of what I find when I return . Any information or resources will be greatly appreciated.

Good luck. Looking forward to your report.

 

[BradRod]

Re: Went to Europe Last August.

Titaniumman - Thanks for your reply.

you did not say how much you played at these places ? How did you do ?

>>>I didn't go to those countries, but I went to Italy, Switzerland, France, and Monaco.

I visited switzerland a few years ago before my counting days. I stopped at a small casino near Davos but did not go in. They were requiring ID be shown at the door -- not just possible minors, antone of age also They were taking down the info. I did not have my ID with me but my friends did go in. There were mainly slot machines with very few if any table games. This was a very small place though. My friends were complaining that they had some strange rules about cashing in winnings designed to keep all the money from ever leaving the place.

>>>>>ENHC - European No Hole Card - The dealer does not receive a second card until all the players have played their hand. The problem is that if a player has doubled down or split, all money on the table is taken if the dealer wins.

There is no insurance offered I assume. With a ten up , he might still get that Ace at the back end. A side count of Aces is almost a must to play at this game. Also 3rd base would be the spot to play so that you can continue to count as hands are played and adjust your play accordingly by the time it comes around to you.

If it is worth playing at all ?? Is there any strategy published for this sort of game ?

>>>>>All of the games I saw were six deck CSM.

Continuous Shuffle Machines ? - No point in counting at all, means no point in playing either .

>>>>>>Not so much as illegal, but Eastern European countries like the ones you are visiting have a reputation for taking even stronger measures against counters than the U.S.

Such as ??

 

[Titaniumman]

Embarrassingly

I played only a few hands.

Actually, it's not that embarrassing. I don't play CSMs, and should not be ashamed to admit it. Moreover, ENHC is a severe negative factor as well.

On top of that, the casinos expect the players to dress very well. That was not my problem, but the severe record breaking heat in Europe made looking one's best very difficult just walking from the parked car to the casino in tie and jacket.

Most of the casinos I visited were under French management. It was only about four months since the media had been showing the world Americans pouring French wines into gutters (Funny, I'm drinking a glass of white Bordeaux as I write this.) in protest of France's lack of support in Iraq. I, and my less than fluent command of Italian were not held in high regard by the French.

I ended up pulling blackjack out of my vacation. I swam at the topless beach in Monte Carlo, snorkled in the Mediterranean in Livorno, Italy, climbed the Leaning Tower, saw Ibex on top of mountains in Switzerland, drove all over Tuscany, spent a night in Venice, and ate fantastic cuisine. I also flew business class both ways thanks to free pass from Wildcard's wife who is a flight attendant.

I possess another such pass, and am considering Sao Paulo.

 

[shark]

Re: Went to Europe Last August.

Budapest- at the time of my visit had three casinos. Varkert- 6DK ENHC S17 DOA DAS ES10 with dealer dependant penetration averageing 4.5/6. The other two are Las Vegas casino and Tropicana. They offer same rules without surrender. The last two casinos have many tables in both local currency and US dollars and wonging is possible. Wonging is tolerated in Varkert if not too agressive. In my opinion back offs are more civil than in the U.S. they don't even have back room.

Austria- CSM only. The best place to play when in Austria is in Czech casinos located 1Km. from Austria border. You can find ES10 on some of those Czech casinos. I hope that helps. Shark

 

[BradRod]

Carnival ?

Thanks again. you've help me keep blackjack expectations in check for this trip. I'll let you know what I find in Austria and Hungary. I've been to Venice also . great trip .

 

[Titaniumman]

Perceptive

The plan would be to drive from Sao Paulo in two different directions. One is to a casino between the Iguazu Falls in Argentina.

The other is, of course to Rio de Janiero. Unfortunately, work does not permit me to take time off soon, so I can't catch Carnivale'.

 

[BradRod]

Re: Went to Europe Last August.

yes shark, thanks. a couple of questions though

ES10 ?

and approximately where would i find that czech casino ?

how did you deal w/ ENHC, startegy -wise ?

 

[shark]

Re: Went to Europe Last August.

ES10- early surrender Vs.10 (actually early surrender against all upcards other than Ace)

ENHC strategy- you don't double or split Vs. picture or ace with the exception that you still split AA Vs. 10.

I didn't play in Czech casinos across Austria border. I played in Czech casinos across Germany border in Folmava (4 casinos to choose from) and Zelena-Ruda. I saw on the map that they have a few by the Austrian border as well.

Check with a map and www.casinocity.com which towns are near Austria

Shark

 

[BradRod]

Good info.

thanks Shark. In checking the website you cited I found that the 2 closest Czech cities with casinos to Vienna are in Znojmo and Brno. These casinos only have one or 2 blackjack tables each. I think I will stick to Budapest for blackjack. Varkert looks like the best candidate. I'll stick to sightseeing in Vienna. Let you know how it went when I get back.

Brad