Making "Red Flag" Plays

[bj bob]

I've noticed throughout many thread/post conversations that many, if not all of you folks (BS or counters) make some plays that, although mathematically correct, would raise eyebrows in the pit. The primary examples off the top of my head are: soft doubles with the lower totals i.e. A2-A5. I know that combined these plays give the player a minute advantage, but are they worth it in the big picture? There are probably more of these very slight edge plays that we should stay away from. Anyone care to elucidate?

 

[zengrifter]

Doubling A2-5 was more of a red-flag in the 70s, when fewer players knew BS - such plays are more common now. Granted, those doubles are worth a negligible amount to a counter. zg

 

[bj bob]

I get your point

Zg, are there any other particular plays that you stay away from when the "heat" is on?

 

[zengrifter]

See Interview, page 19 and elsewhere -
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/ZGInterview.pdf

 

[E-town-guy]

Splitting 10s is probably the biggest one.

 

[Sonny]

Other "red flag" plays can include standing on 16 vs. 10 (at the appropriate time, of course), taking insurance on big bets, and hitting A,7 vs 9,10,A. Those are the plays that most regular players get wrong so the casinos only expect skilled players to get them right.

However, before you start using drastic camouflage plays you need to know how much they will hurt you. Don Schlesinger gives a complete list of the consequences of misplaying any hand in Blackjack Attack. Also, you should check out Ian Anderson’s “Ultimate Gambit” in Burning The Tables…

-Sonny-

 

[zengrifter]

Splitting 10s is probably the biggest one.

I love splitting 10s. Awhile back I had two max bets out, shy-high count, my first hand was A9, dealer shows 5, I double and catch 10, second hand two 10s, I split 3x and catch 10-10-10 - dealer flips a 6 underneath and draws 4 then 10! I almost ALWAYS split 10s when called for! zg

Ps - Sonny, one of our members here is in LV and he says the R20s is gone at you-know-where.

 

[Sonny]

my first hand was A9, dealer shows 5, I double and catch 10, second hand two 10s, I split 3x and catch 10-10-10 - dealer flips a 6 underneath and draws 4 then 10!

WOW! The count must have dropped through the floor after that! At least you got all your money on the table (and back OFF the table!) before the round was over. Well done.

Ps - Sonny, one of our members here is in LV and he says the R20s is gone at you-know-where.

Oh well, it was GREAT while it lasted. At least I’ve got a few stories to tell the grandkids.

-Sonny-

 

[bj bob]

I wouldn't think

That taking insurance on a big bet would be a red flag. Not so much the size of the bet ,but more as to the hand being insured. I've seen idiots insure huge bets because they are trying to ''protect" a 20(2 face cards..I love it!) I also see them struggling over the l6vX play,since they go a lot by hunches in that situation and we vary according to the count,I consider that good cover. I do agree with the A7 v 9,X,A and also sometimes wonder if they notice me not doubling 10,11 with a real neg. count. What do you think?

 

[Mikeaber]

WOW! The count must have dropped through the floor after that! At least you got all your money on the table (and back OFF the table!) before the round was over. Well done.



Oh well, it was GREAT while it lasted. At least I’ve got a few stories to tell the grandkids.

-Sonny-

Nearly all the tables on Fremont now have Royal Match. I've watched people completely blow their bankroll on that one by betting more on it than on the hand. Most of the time they lose it and when they win, it's only for the small payoff. I have not payed a lot of attention to the paytables in different casinos but can if anyone is interested. Haven't seen a big payoff on it yet.

At 4-Queens, the side bet is a "$" bet. If the dealer shows a 2-7 and you have 18 or better you win. Suited Blackjacks pay 30:1 but only if the dealer has a 2-7 up. I think it's 7:1 if it's unsuited, but NONE of the bets pay unless the dealer has a 2-7.

 

[JimmyFortune]

It almost makes you think that their blackjack bet is an ante to be allowed to play such a good side bet. "we don't understand why the casino is offering perfect pairs or whatsoever, but we make a lot of money out of it":cry: . Indeed some blackjackplayers have more chance to win with their side bet than with blackjack.

 

[zengrifter]

At 4-Queens, the side bet is a "$" bet. If the dealer shows a 2-7 and you have 18 or better you win. Suited Blackjacks pay 30:1 but only if the dealer has a 2-7 up. I think it's 7:1 if it's unsuited, but NONE of the bets pay unless the dealer has a 2-7.

This bet IS beatable - it becomes posiEV in very MINUS counts. Unfortuneatly the SB cannot exceed the main bet. zg

 

[Mikeaber]

This bet IS beatable - it becomes posiEV in very MINUS counts. Unfortuneatly the SB cannot exceed the main bet. zg

Lord Knows, I've seen enough negative counts at 4-Q! Actually have done pretty well there on the Single Deck as long as I can get on the table when there are no more than three of us playing. Unfortunately, the case is more like a full damn table and you only see two hands a shuffle. I don't even bother playing when it's like that!

 

[Sonny]

At 4-Queens, the side bet is a "$" bet. If the dealer shows a 2-7 and you have 18 or better you win.

What a brilliant idea! The casinos have found a way to make the ploppies hit their stiff hands against the dealer's low cards.

"I've got 16 vs. the dealer's 6. I guess I need to hit if I want to win my $1 side bet!" :laugh:

-Sonny-

 

[zengrifter]

Lord Knows, I've seen enough negative counts at 4-Q! Actually have done pretty well there on the Single Deck as long as I can get on the table when there are no more than three of us playing. Unfortunately, the case is more like a full damn table and you only see two hands a shuffle. I don't even bother playing when it's like that!

4Qs 1D is ONLY playable on grave! zg

 

[zengrifter]

What a brilliant idea! The casinos have found a way to make the ploppies hit their stiff hands against the dealer's low cards.

"I've got 16 vs. the dealer's 6. I guess I need to hit if I want to win my $1 side bet!" :laugh:

-Sonny-

Ha ha, not quite - its "first two cards". I had EJ sim it and it goes +EV at about -7 (the reverse of R20s), BUT the SB amount cannot exceed the main bet! zg

 

[Mikeaber]

Had a good run on 4-Q DD this morning but it was on a table that didn't have the "$" side so I couldn't try for it.