ATLANTIC CITY HOTEL & CASINO ROOMS
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Cityatlantic's Gaming Tips
EDITORIAL REVIEW
Mike has been dealing blackjack at Resorts Atlantic City for almost 20 years. He's seen it all at as a dealer. We spent some time with Mike so he could share his insights on blackjack and give us some tips that the casino might not want you to know.
Can a player use the same strategy as the dealer (stay on 16 and higher, hit on 15 and lower) and be successful?
The short answer is no. You've got to realize that you're actually playing against the dealer and not just yourself. Most players use the basic strategy of assuming that the dealer's down card is a ten. The problem with basic strategy is that it works better if everyone at the table is playing the same way. One person not playing with basic strategy will upset the table's rhythm and could affect he outcome of the game. For example, if the dealer shows a 5, assume that he has 15 and will bust on the next draw. If you hit, you might take his bust card.
What should I do if I have ten or eleven in this situation and can't bust my hand?
In that case, you should double down. Remember, that's what you should do if the dealer is showing a 4 or 5 and you can't bust. If you've got less than ten, just hit it until you're within range of a bust. Hopefully you'll take out the cards that are 6 or less and leave the dealer to bust.
Does seat position really matter?
In all honesty, it only matters if it matters to you. More experienced players like to sit in the seat to the dealer's right. That seat is known as the anchor or anchorman seat. He's the last person to make a decision before you see the dealer's card, so he believes he has the most influence over the game. In reality, his influence is more psychological than mathematical. Some people like to sit in the first or second seat because they aren't influenced by other people entering and leaving the game. As we all know, there are a bunch of players that will jump in for a hand or two and then jump right out. It's hard to establish a rhythm that way. When I play, I like to sit in the first or second seat - the first card out of the shoe is always the first card out. Beginners should sit in the middle someplace. They can ask the people ahead and behind them for help.
I see that Resorts offers single and multi-deck blackjack - is there a big difference?
The biggest difference is in the payouts. In multi-deck blackjack, you get paid $7.50 on a $5 bet; in single deck, you'd get $6. Other differences are that you're only allowed to double down on 9, 10 or 11 and the dealer has to hit on a soft 17. That's a big difference because chances are that the dealer is going to improve his hand. The reason people play single deck blackjack is that they have a much better idea of which cards are exposed and what the next cards could be.
What mistake do you see most often at the blackjack table?
In my opinion, more players should be taking insurance when they have blackjack against a dealer showing an ace. Insurance costs half your bet, but you know that you're getting that back because blackjack pays 150% of your bet. Pay the insurance and get even money. If the dealer has blackjack too, you'll push on the original bet and get paid even money on the insurance. You'll either get paid even money if the dealer doesn't have blackjack or get paid on half your original bet when he does, either way that works out pretty well for the player. In that same scenario, if you don't have blackjack you should take your chances and not take the insurance.
What's another mistake you see a lot?
The universal rule of aces and eights. Always, always split aces and eights- regardless of what the dealer is showing. If you split aces, you've got a great chance of making some blackjacks and splitting eights is like getting a break- 16 is a terrible hand, but when you can split them, you'll have a chance at 18 or even better.
Any more tips?
Just remember, it's better to be lucky than good.
Can a player use the same strategy as the dealer (stay on 16 and higher, hit on 15 and lower) and be successful?The short answer is no. You've got to realize that you're actually playing against the dealer and not just yourself. Most players use the basic strategy of assuming that the dealer's down card is a ten. The problem with basic strategy is that it works better if everyone at the table is playing the same way. One person not playing with basic strategy will upset the table's rhythm and could affect he outcome of the game. For example, if the dealer shows a 5, assume that he has 15 and will bust on the next draw. If you hit, you might take his bust card.
What should I do if I have ten or eleven in this situation and can't bust my hand?
In that case, you should double down. Remember, that's what you should do if the dealer is showing a 4 or 5 and you can't bust. If you've got less than ten, just hit it until you're within range of a bust. Hopefully you'll take out the cards that are 6 or less and leave the dealer to bust.
Does seat position really matter?
In all honesty, it only matters if it matters to you. More experienced players like to sit in the seat to the dealer's right. That seat is known as the anchor or anchorman seat. He's the last person to make a decision before you see the dealer's card, so he believes he has the most influence over the game. In reality, his influence is more psychological than mathematical. Some people like to sit in the first or second seat because they aren't influenced by other people entering and leaving the game. As we all know, there are a bunch of players that will jump in for a hand or two and then jump right out. It's hard to establish a rhythm that way. When I play, I like to sit in the first or second seat - the first card out of the shoe is always the first card out. Beginners should sit in the middle someplace. They can ask the people ahead and behind them for help.
I see that Resorts offers single and multi-deck blackjack - is there a big difference?
The biggest difference is in the payouts. In multi-deck blackjack, you get paid $7.50 on a $5 bet; in single deck, you'd get $6. Other differences are that you're only allowed to double down on 9, 10 or 11 and the dealer has to hit on a soft 17. That's a big difference because chances are that the dealer is going to improve his hand. The reason people play single deck blackjack is that they have a much better idea of which cards are exposed and what the next cards could be.
What mistake do you see most often at the blackjack table?
In my opinion, more players should be taking insurance when they have blackjack against a dealer showing an ace. Insurance costs half your bet, but you know that you're getting that back because blackjack pays 150% of your bet. Pay the insurance and get even money. If the dealer has blackjack too, you'll push on the original bet and get paid even money on the insurance. You'll either get paid even money if the dealer doesn't have blackjack or get paid on half your original bet when he does, either way that works out pretty well for the player. In that same scenario, if you don't have blackjack you should take your chances and not take the insurance.
What's another mistake you see a lot?
The universal rule of aces and eights. Always, always split aces and eights- regardless of what the dealer is showing. If you split aces, you've got a great chance of making some blackjacks and splitting eights is like getting a break- 16 is a terrible hand, but when you can split them, you'll have a chance at 18 or even better.
Any more tips?
Just remember, it's better to be lucky than good.