Total novice with basic questions

[JoueuseNY]

I was debating whether this should be posted in the general forum, but I'm hoping to be trying blackjack for the first time in Atlantic City, so maybe someone would have specific input. I'm hoping someone here will be kind enough and patient enough to help with some questions which will be laughably basic to you.

1. Have $5 games pretty much vanished? Obviously, I'd prefer to start at the bottom.

2. If I were going daytime, during the week, is it likely I'd find any tables empty? I think I'll be so slow that I'd feel better if there weren't other players getting annoyed at me.

3. Are players expected to tip the dealer? If so, how much? Even if they lose?

4. I understand that it's preferable if a dealer uses fewer decks, but apart from that, what makes one casino preferable over others?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Thunder]

There are maybe 3 $5 tables in all of Atlantic City. I know there's one at the Borgata 24/7 and Showboat has one. I believe Trump Marina also has one. You will never find these tables empty though. You'll be quite lucky to even get a seat at one of them. The best you can hope for really are $10 BJ games

These games though are H17 meaning they hit soft 17 except for the one at the Borgata (H17 is bad). In general, the fewer the decks, the better but you also need to take into account how much they pay for blackjacks, how many hands you can split to, can you double down on anything or not? Is there surrender available?

I suggest you click on the blackjack school link on the left under site features so you can learn more about the game.

 

[21forme]

As a general rule, avoid the 4 Harrahs-owned casinos.
Make sure BJ plays 3:2, not 6:5

If you're betting $5-10/hand, I wouldn't bother tipping, unless you win a lot or you really like the dealer.

Dealers don't expect tips when you lose.

Tables tend to be emptier in the morning, but there are also fewer tables open.

 

[FLASH1296]

Advice, unsolicited and otherwise.

Crucial for you in your search for low stakes tables is to avoid All holidays and All weekends, including "three day weekends".

Use your smarts and study up on the "Basic Strategy", at the very least, before actually betting real money in a casino. They do not take bogus money. …

Bring only as much as you are COMFORTABLE in losing. Leave your credit cards and A.T.M. cards home.

Look to your left, at the links in the dark column theree.

Do you see where it says — "Blackjack School" ?

Go on over.

Go on now.

Scoot.

:whip:

 

[JoueuseNY]

Thanks, guys.

Depressing that the $5 are vanishing. Starting with $10 will be more difficult, more intimidating. I'm figuring on trying either the Hilton or Borgata. Yes, I'm only bringing a limited amount of cash, and if I find I'm losing non-stop, I hope to back out before the cash is all gone. Thanks for pointing out the school link.