How many dealers can count?

[ningtong88]

Just wondering, all the dealers I've played against seem to be ploppies. If I were a dealer, I would definitely learn how to count as it would lead to more tips, right?

 

[bigplayer]

Just wondering, all the dealers I've played against seem to be ploppies. If I were a dealer, I would definitely learn how to count as it would lead to more tips, right?

Many I'm sure, but they're mostly making sure they're dealing the game correctly rather than worrying about what cards have come out of the deck.

 

[comatoseb.j.]

I am sure every single one that has more than 6 months dealing in them. Probably less. But they just don't know how the in's ad out's like people who live eat and breath the game even outside the casinos. They figure they deal all day and learn what they can. Dealers can make more money at the game than most counters. That is just my opinion. I am sure there are others. Would love for a dealer to put in a dime or two.

 

[Friendo]

How can they not know what we're doing?

I'm sure some do, but it's puzzling that they don't notice peculiar betting habits which, to me, scream "Counter!"

There is a wide range of intellectual capacity and brains among dealers. The bottom end of the curve is very fat. Definitely are many that should not be trusted with a bankroll at the tables.

But I'm still amazed that they don't pick up on our bet changes.

 

[comatoseb.j.]

They do. At least most of the ones I talk to do. I have tested a couple with glances smiles and even asked a few with 5+ years experience if they know what fab 4 and I18 means. 90% what is what t5% will soon enough and the other 5 are 2 damn stupid to do any ore than shuffle deal and hand you chips. I got one dealer I love that will be fast about **** and give me 1 or 2 extra chips which I am fast to take. A couple blushed because the pit was right behind them when I said something. Sometimes it pays to be down right blundt about it. A couple will even tell you wat to do with subtle nods that the eye in the cant possibly notice or grins they are really really trying to hid. tired of tying and extremely tired of being up. I have been up since this time last night.

 

[Gamblor]

The vast majority of dealers are completely oblivious, at least here in the east, and in all likelihood the vast majority of the country (maybe some sawdust joints in LV they are not?).

What makes me say this? Umm, the vast majority of the dealers do not even know basic strategy, let alone card counting related things. Furthermore dealers are often cross trained across multiple games. The last thing they would be concerned about are the details of counting BJ. Its like worrying if the 3CP dealer is an expert on HCing.

Furthermore, if anyone's concerned about dealers counting down the table, I'm sure its very difficult, keeping track of everyone's cards, correct change amounts, etc.,

 

[comatoseb.j.]

Well then we are going to have to agree to disagree bub. And nude greco roman wrestling, really!

 

[Shoofly]

The vast majority of dealers are completely oblivious,
What makes me say this? Umm, the vast majority of the dealers do not even know basic strategy, let alone card counting related things.

I agree. Most of the advice I receive from dealers is contrary to BS or simple index rules. For example, hitting A7 v 10. "Sir, you have 18", or hit 12 v 4 in a negative count. "That's a bust card."

 

[blackjackomaha]

I agree that the majority of dealers are typical plops - roughly 95%. From my experience, the other 4% know how to count (or try to keep count), but do not know the index plays. The remaining 1% know how to count, know index plays, and spreads.

I've encountered a handful of dealers who make comments like "that's going to affect your long term results" when I make an index play. I've only come across one who actually knows his index plays and spreads.

 

[Coyote]

I agree with Gamblor and Shoofly! Most dealers I have encountered have a vague knowledge of BS and they talk too much, and are too focused on proper pay-outs to count the shoe.

 

[aslan]

The vast majority of dealers are completely oblivious, at least here in the east, and in all likelihood the vast majority of the country (maybe some sawdust joints in LV they are not?).

What makes me say this? Umm, the vast majority of the dealers do not even know basic strategy, let alone card counting related things. Furthermore dealers are often cross trained across multiple games. The last thing they would be concerned about are the details of counting BJ. Its like worrying if the 3CP dealer is an expert on HCing.

Furthermore, if anyone's concerned about dealers counting down the table, I'm sure its very difficult, keeping track of everyone's cards, correct change amounts, etc.,

I think what they do recognize is a player who keeps winning or if he loses he makes a comeback, so where many players come and go, someone who seems to know what he is doing, stands out, even to an empty headed dealer. When I find a good table (good pen) and I play-all with wonging, I sometimes hear comments like, "He [referring to me] knows what he is doing." (Meant as a compliment by the dealer.) I seldom stay beyond a great positive count, however. But good steady play with quiet confidence gets noticed if you stick around long enough. Do you think this is a harmful practice? I haven't been backed off yet in this kind of situation. Maybe I am walking on thin ice. :whip:

 

[Gamblor]

I think what they do recognize is a player who keeps winning or if he loses he makes a comeback, so where many players come and go, someone who seems to know what he is doing, stands out, even to an empty headed dealer. When I find a good table (good pen) and I play-all with wonging, I sometimes hear comments like, "He [referring to me] knows what he is doing." (Meant as a compliment by the dealer.) I seldom stay beyond a great positive count, however. But good steady play with quiet confidence gets noticed if you stick around long enough. Do you think this is a harmful practice? I haven't been backed off yet in this kind of situation. Maybe I am walking on thin ice. :whip:

Agreed, some might know the general characteristics of an AP or at least somebody who stands out. But CC are so rare I'm pretty sure any dealer eventually does not bother even looking for them (in most places). I'm at the casino more than most dealers and hardly see any CCs, maybe a handful all year, I get tired of looking for them

Also, as you mentioned, ironically your "quiet confidence" helps you. Its always good to get the dealer on your side or to like you, however you can. And the quiet confidence is a big part of it. Your not an idiot ploppy spitting on the dealer, banging the table, cursing at the dealer like someone who has Tourettes syndrome. They're not likely to snitch against you if they like you

 

[Zach Black]

I was at a table when a ploppy asked the dealer if he should hit a 12 v 4.

The dealer said he used to count single deck in Reno and that if the deck was negative it was a hit, if it's positive stand, and BS was to stand.

I suspected one other counter at the table, and I'm not sure if the comment was for my benefit or the other CC.

I received better pen with tokes with this dealer.

I think it's very rare to find a dealer that can count while dealing, and maybe 1-2% that can count while playing. Most do not know BS or pretend to not know BS.

 

[EarthBowser]

I've always had the theory that most dealers are some of the worst players. The fact is that they are around so many horrible superstitious players constantly spouting garbage advice and bad strategy, and these dealers have to stand there and absorb it all. All that starts to sink into them and they start believing all this crap that is being said to them at the tables, so they start believing it themselves. From my experience you'll be lucky if you find a handful of dealers and even floor people that actually know the ins and outs of strategy for the game.

From what I've seen, it's almost even bad customer service to even know actual basic strategy... I've seen players giving terrible advice to people, and the floor supervisor politely corrected them and gave the correct basic strategy, and the players at the table just got all grumpy and argued and cussed at him.

 

[EmeraldCityBJ]

Just wondering, all the dealers I've played against seem to be ploppies. If I were a dealer, I would definitely learn how to count as it would lead to more tips, right?

I've come across a number of dealers who claim they know how to count. In reality, I expect very few have what it takes to be successful even if they do understand some of the basics of how to play a winning game.

 

[Dealer/Counter/]

I'm a dealer and a counter and I count down 6 deck shoes with 85% pen shoes with hi-lo only if there is 1-3 people at the table just for practice.

when i'm dealing dd I use wong's halves. If it's a full table I just deal fast and try to entertain lol

and of course I play too

 

[aslan]

I'm a dealer and a counter and I count down 6 deck shoes with 85% pen shoes with hi-lo only if there is 1-3 people at the table just for practice.

when i'm dealing dd I use wong's halves. If it's a full table I just deal fast and try to entertain lol

and of course I play too

I had a dealer earlier this morning at The tropical place tell me, as I hit a blackjack on one of my hands with increased bet out, "Your count is just right," or something to that effect, with the accent on the word "count". He was an old-timer from North Jersey. Stubbornly I did not reduce my bet entirely to zero as the count went down, playing two hands with two units each, getting my head handed to me. I should have just graciously accepted what he said and moved on after that shoe(I did in fact move on). I thought he was being smart, and that he was alerting the pit. I did chat him up later and found him to be a nice fellow. I try to maintain mutual respect between myself and the house at all times. There's never a need to get bent out of shape; won't help you anyway. :laugh: