zengrifter
Banned
Frontload Basics from Barfarkel's TR
Excerpted from BJ Insider #26
(Dead link: http://www.casino.com/newsletter/blackjack/archive/)
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"... As promised, Anon took me on a walking tour of casinos in close proximity and showed me what to look for to try to spot dealers who flash their hole cards. I'm sorry I can't go into greater detail about what I observed or where we went but Anon asked me to keep the good stuff confidential. We walked through one place, stopping at each table to observe a few deals. We couldn't spot any "flashing" dealers so we moved next door where he told me the Asian gal dealer at one table was flashing occasionally. You had to sit just to the right of 3rd base to see it. I learned that there's a unique seat position for every different dealer. Some flash to first base, some to third and some to the middle of the table. We played this dealer for a half-hour, until she went on break, but I'll be damned if I could spot the flash even a single time. I had lost $60. This must be tougher than I thought.
We then moved to another casino (all names withheld by request) where he spotted a Three Card Poker game in which the dealer seemed to be vulnerable. You could see it from first base if you positioned yourself just right. Anon started in that seat while I watched, then instructed me to take the seat and watch for the flash. The basic strategy for this game is simple: If you see none of the dealer's cards, you play Queen, 6 or higher. If you can see one of the dealer's cards (one card is usually the most you'll ever see), and the card you spot is 2 through Jack, you stay and play any hand. If you've spotted a Queen, you play Q, 9 or higher. Spot a King and you play K, 9 or higher. Spot an Ace and you play A, 9 or higher. And stay away from the "Pairs Plus", even though every other player at the table is putting chips on it, because it's a sucker bet.
I started with $10 bets on the Ante and a matching amount if I decided to play the hand. To my amazement, I saw the 7 of clubs underneath as the dealer dealt the first hand. Unbelievable. This actually works! I stayed with a king and won the Ante, though not the Play bet. To win both, the dealer must "qualify" by having at least a Queen high, and then your hand must beat his. If the dealer doesn't qualify, you win only the original Ante bet.
During the hour I played, I saw one of the dealer's cards 5 or 6 times. It didn't help too much as I still lost $100 at this table, but it was a short sample. If you play for any length of time, you'll surely win as the player edge is an outstanding 3.5% (if you can see a card every time; otherwise your edge drops dramatically), more than double what the best card counters can achieve. I was kinda thrilled that I had actually seen my first series of dealer flashes and resolved to be more observant in every casino from now on.
There are two things I learned about attempting hole card techniques. First, it takes a lot of practice to be able to recognize card values at just a glance. Second, with 2's through 10's you have to recognize the pattern and number of pips quickly. Eights, nines and tens are tough. Face cards are hardest to distinguish and you have to be able to differentiate Jacks, Queens and Kings from each other. Anon has studied every line and curve in each of them, memorizing every detail in each of the three card values so he can sense what has just flashed before him as each image is deep in his memory.
The other thing is that it takes a lot of scouting and shoe leather to find these dealers. Once you find them there's no guarantee that they'll have a consistent schedule nor be at the casino on the night(s) you expect them to be there. Also, there is no guarantee that they'll be assigned to the game you want. A dealer may flash at one game and not at another. Player behavior may inhibit the dealer from his usual tendency to flash. There are so many variables that must fall into place just right for a hole carder to be able to operate successfully. However, it gets easier as time goes on if you're a local player who has a regular circuit. You've done your scouting and record keeping and you know where several flashing dealers are at any given time.
I liken it to Wonging but with much more observation and much less playing time. However, when a hole carder finally is able to Wong into the occasional blackjack game, he's playing with an 8%-10% advantage. Not bad, if you don't mind the drudgery of all that scouting..."
Excerpted from BJ Insider #26
(Dead link: http://www.casino.com/newsletter/blackjack/archive/)
-------------------
"... As promised, Anon took me on a walking tour of casinos in close proximity and showed me what to look for to try to spot dealers who flash their hole cards. I'm sorry I can't go into greater detail about what I observed or where we went but Anon asked me to keep the good stuff confidential. We walked through one place, stopping at each table to observe a few deals. We couldn't spot any "flashing" dealers so we moved next door where he told me the Asian gal dealer at one table was flashing occasionally. You had to sit just to the right of 3rd base to see it. I learned that there's a unique seat position for every different dealer. Some flash to first base, some to third and some to the middle of the table. We played this dealer for a half-hour, until she went on break, but I'll be damned if I could spot the flash even a single time. I had lost $60. This must be tougher than I thought.
We then moved to another casino (all names withheld by request) where he spotted a Three Card Poker game in which the dealer seemed to be vulnerable. You could see it from first base if you positioned yourself just right. Anon started in that seat while I watched, then instructed me to take the seat and watch for the flash. The basic strategy for this game is simple: If you see none of the dealer's cards, you play Queen, 6 or higher. If you can see one of the dealer's cards (one card is usually the most you'll ever see), and the card you spot is 2 through Jack, you stay and play any hand. If you've spotted a Queen, you play Q, 9 or higher. Spot a King and you play K, 9 or higher. Spot an Ace and you play A, 9 or higher. And stay away from the "Pairs Plus", even though every other player at the table is putting chips on it, because it's a sucker bet.
I started with $10 bets on the Ante and a matching amount if I decided to play the hand. To my amazement, I saw the 7 of clubs underneath as the dealer dealt the first hand. Unbelievable. This actually works! I stayed with a king and won the Ante, though not the Play bet. To win both, the dealer must "qualify" by having at least a Queen high, and then your hand must beat his. If the dealer doesn't qualify, you win only the original Ante bet.
During the hour I played, I saw one of the dealer's cards 5 or 6 times. It didn't help too much as I still lost $100 at this table, but it was a short sample. If you play for any length of time, you'll surely win as the player edge is an outstanding 3.5% (if you can see a card every time; otherwise your edge drops dramatically), more than double what the best card counters can achieve. I was kinda thrilled that I had actually seen my first series of dealer flashes and resolved to be more observant in every casino from now on.
There are two things I learned about attempting hole card techniques. First, it takes a lot of practice to be able to recognize card values at just a glance. Second, with 2's through 10's you have to recognize the pattern and number of pips quickly. Eights, nines and tens are tough. Face cards are hardest to distinguish and you have to be able to differentiate Jacks, Queens and Kings from each other. Anon has studied every line and curve in each of them, memorizing every detail in each of the three card values so he can sense what has just flashed before him as each image is deep in his memory.
The other thing is that it takes a lot of scouting and shoe leather to find these dealers. Once you find them there's no guarantee that they'll have a consistent schedule nor be at the casino on the night(s) you expect them to be there. Also, there is no guarantee that they'll be assigned to the game you want. A dealer may flash at one game and not at another. Player behavior may inhibit the dealer from his usual tendency to flash. There are so many variables that must fall into place just right for a hole carder to be able to operate successfully. However, it gets easier as time goes on if you're a local player who has a regular circuit. You've done your scouting and record keeping and you know where several flashing dealers are at any given time.
I liken it to Wonging but with much more observation and much less playing time. However, when a hole carder finally is able to Wong into the occasional blackjack game, he's playing with an 8%-10% advantage. Not bad, if you don't mind the drudgery of all that scouting..."