Etiquette for blackjack.

[IluvVegas]

Observing the proper blackjack etiquette can be very important when playing casino blackjack. You may be playing for low stakes and the player next to you may be playing for much higher stakes so following the blackjack etiquette is very important.

Be sure, first of all, to check the table minimum-maximum sign. You sure wont want to be playing, say, $5 bets at a $25 mimimum table. So checking before play is very important.

Staying with the basic blackjack strategy is the way to go, as the dealer and other players will expect you to play this strategy.

By playing the basic blackjack strategy, peace at the blackjack table will reign supreme.

[VegasLuvsMe]

I pretty much like to stick with the blackjack etiquette, but also like to mix it up a little just to throw off a couple rounds of bad hands. I do this mostly on the one deck tables.

The multi-deck tables aren't too bad, unless you sit down in a cold seat and most everyone else is winning their hands and you are not. That's when I like to leave the table.

The two examples I remember about playing good blackjack etiquette;
(1) If the dealer is showing a 5 don't take a hit, unless your cards equal 10 or less, or you have a pair of aces for a split.

(2) One of the hardest plays in blackjack is when you have a total of 16 in your hand. The rule book says to hit on 16, but I tend to stay with it.

I don't know what the actual odds are, but when you have a total of between 14 to 16 in your hand and take a hit, it has to be close to or more than a 50% bust ratio.

[1819]

Originally Posted by VegasLuvsMe

I pretty much like to stick with the blackjack etiquette, but also like to mix it up a little just to throw off a couple rounds of bad hands. I do this mostly on the one deck tables.

The multi-deck tables aren't too bad, unless you sit down in a cold seat and most everyone else is winning their hands and you are not. That's when I like to leave the table.

The two examples I remember about playing good blackjack etiquette;
(1) If the dealer is showing a 5 don't take a hit, unless your cards equal 10 or less, or you have a pair of aces for a split.

(2) One of the hardest plays in blackjack is when you have a total of 16 in your hand. The rule book says to hit on 16, but I tend to stay with it.

I don't know what the actual odds are, but when you have a total of between 14 to 16 in your hand and take a hit, it has to be close to or more than a 50% bust ratio.

when you sit a a blackjack table you are playing against the dealer and no one else. never alter your decisons based on what another player may say. if another player does not like your style of play then they can leave.

[winbig]

Originally Posted by 1819

when you sit a a blackjack table you are playing against the dealer and no one else. never alter your decisons based on what another player may say. if another player does not like your style of play then they can leave.

Which I have done countless times. It doesn't matter if you're playing at a $5 table or a $100+ table; I've seen it all.

I've been at many tables with players that (I guess) never played blackjack before, and instead of actually asking for advice, they do what they feel is best. Which in most cases is wrong. The most recent spectacles I've seen are players standing on a SOFT 16/17 vs a dealer 4,5,6, etc.....omg....once that happens I get up and leave after the hand is over - win or lose. Why? Because more often than not if the table is hot, a simple mistake such as that will turn the cards for the worst. I've seen it too many times.

I assume that they didn't realize the difference between soft 16/17 (ace + 5/6) as opposed to hard 16/17 (ten or face card + 5/6) and thought they would bust if they took a hit. In all reality, their hand was a 6 or 7 - which is a perfect double situation vs. a dealer 4/5/6. At the very least, just hit it.

The best thing to do if you're uncertain about whether to hit/stand/double is to ASK. 9 times out of 10 if the dealer doesn't offer advice (most do), someone at the table surely will. I don't think the dealer can 'officially' give advice, but I've never seen a dealer not give it...Just ask them "what would you do?" Dealers work on tips, and they want you to win. Winners (most) end up tipping the dealer, especially if that dealer helped them. Losers never tip.


Don't let this deter you from playing blackjack though. If you're a beginner, invest a couple of bucks on a strategy card and take it to the table with you. It is not against the casino rules! I think 99.99% of casino gift shops will have these in stock. Don't be embarassed to look at this card for guidance. It'll save you money in the long run!

What I usually do (which works a good portion of the time) is stand by a table and watch a number of hands. If the dealer is consistently winning and not busting, then I move on. There's a great chance that the cards will stay the same, even if you jump in, and you're going to lose...