N&B
Well-Known Member
Years ago, when first playing 21 in Atlantic City, there were a number of hardened ploppies that ate cards. Many times, I witnessed them hitting 13 when the dealer showed a 2-3-4, hitting 14 if the dealer showed a 2 and would hit any Face&2.
Needless to say I inquired about this rather strange shoe play. Their response was almost identical in each instance, and precipitated more or less like this...
" If I have 12, 13, or 14 and the dealer shows a 2-3-4, my chances of drawing one card and not busting is 7/6 or better, and also true for the dealer. Since I'm paid even money for this proposition, I take it."
Now, that leads to the obvious second question "What do you do with Hard 15 or 16?". And the answer was again almost universal. "When I have 15 or 16, and the dealer has a 7 to Ace, I have to draw to try for a win. I know the odds are against me even to just stand, but the dealer seems to stand more than I do if I don't hit".
So I decided to throw the curve ball and ask about 77 and 88 against a dealer's 10. Here, I found some differences in responses, but all mostly agreed that "Splitting 8's against a 10 was a sucker bet designed to make you risk double... and you just know the dealer winds up with more than 18, and doesn't bust enough". The 77 vs. 10 question made most think, and most weren't sure what to do in a shoe. Those that said otherwise, decided to hit any way, figuring maybe a 4-5-6 would help.
Fortunately, by the time Foxwoods opened, this type of ploppy was either bankrupt, or stayed in AC. Haven't seen one here in years... until 3 weeks ago. And boy was the table P.O'ed. I just giggled to myself, and let the ploppy wars pay (err, uhh play) out for the worst.
Needless to say I inquired about this rather strange shoe play. Their response was almost identical in each instance, and precipitated more or less like this...
" If I have 12, 13, or 14 and the dealer shows a 2-3-4, my chances of drawing one card and not busting is 7/6 or better, and also true for the dealer. Since I'm paid even money for this proposition, I take it."
Now, that leads to the obvious second question "What do you do with Hard 15 or 16?". And the answer was again almost universal. "When I have 15 or 16, and the dealer has a 7 to Ace, I have to draw to try for a win. I know the odds are against me even to just stand, but the dealer seems to stand more than I do if I don't hit".
So I decided to throw the curve ball and ask about 77 and 88 against a dealer's 10. Here, I found some differences in responses, but all mostly agreed that "Splitting 8's against a 10 was a sucker bet designed to make you risk double... and you just know the dealer winds up with more than 18, and doesn't bust enough". The 77 vs. 10 question made most think, and most weren't sure what to do in a shoe. Those that said otherwise, decided to hit any way, figuring maybe a 4-5-6 would help.
Fortunately, by the time Foxwoods opened, this type of ploppy was either bankrupt, or stayed in AC. Haven't seen one here in years... until 3 weeks ago. And boy was the table P.O'ed. I just giggled to myself, and let the ploppy wars pay (err, uhh play) out for the worst.
