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Here are some basic things you need to know about the Blackjack table.
It is a semi-oval shape, with the players sitting around the oval part
of it, and the dealer standing behind the flat part, his back to a central
area called the “pit.” In the “pit” you’ll find a number of casino management
personnel, including the aptly named “Pit Boss.”
The table will bear a sign containing information as to what kind of
Blackjack game is being played there, and what the rules are. For instance,
it will indicate the table minimum bet and the table maximum bet. Other
conditions listed on this sign may be, for instance: blackjack pays
3-2, insurance pays 2-1, dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17’s.
You must pay careful attention to these signs since each table – even
within the same pit – may have slightly different rules. In general,
however, it is mostly the table minimums and maximums that change. The
most likely alteration is that the table minimum will be raised, particularly
at peak times such as evenings and weekends when the casino is at its
busiest.
There are between five and seven seats for players at each table, each
seat indicated and delineated by a rectangular shape on the table. Something
else you will see on the table is what is called a “shoe.” A “shoe”
is basically a container that holds the cards. It can be made from wood
or plastic and is rectangular in shape. The cards are both deposited
into it and dealt from it, and a shoe can contain anywhere from one
to six decks of cards.
It is important to know that you cannot give cash directly to the dealer.
Instead, you must put it down on the table, at which point the dealer
will take it, put it into a slot, and hand you chips. There can be no
person-to-person exchange of cash for chips.
With a minimum of one player at the table, a game can begin, and while
other players can join the table at any time – sitting down in whatever
vacant seat they find – they cannot actually start playing until the
hand-in-play is finished. The dealer will deal clockwise from his left
to his right.
Another important thing to remember about Blackjack is that you are
playing against the dealer, not against the other players, so it doesn’t
really matter what cards the other players get. Obviously, none of the
players wants the dealer to win, which is why some players will go out
of their way not to be the last player to receive cards: they fear that
if they take one too many cards (or one too few) they will be the recipients
of blame, for being the one who caused the dealer to win. On the other
hand, there are those – card counters and other expert players, for
instance – who seek out being in last position, since seeing what cards
are being played gives them an advantage.
Being the first to receive cards has certain disadvantages, namely
having the least amount of time to study one’s own hand (and the dealer’s
card) and to consider whether to ask for more cards or hold steady.
Selecting the right table for yourself is crucial. The first thing
to look at is the table minimum, especially if you’re coming to the
table with a fairly low bankroll. For instance, if you’ve got $100 to
$200 to play with, you’re best off choosing a table with no higher than
a $5 minimum. Especially for the novice player, this insures a decent
amount of playing time, taking into account the ups and downs of the
game.
Another thing to look at is how many other players are at the table.
Again, for the beginner it is advantageous to be the only player at
the table. For one thing, you can count cards with much greater ease.
For another, you can feel less self-conscious about how you play, and
whether you’re playing “right.” You also have more access to the dealer’s
time and attention. At the beginning especially it is important that
you feel relaxed about asking the dealer questions; despite the fact
that he is your “opponent,” he is the one who can be most helpful to
you in terms of suggesting a good move or explaining a rule that seems
unclear to you.
If you do not have the luxury of choosing a table with
no players, then at least choose a table with players who strike you
as compatible. Over time you will determine whether you are someone
who prefers playing in first position or last, or somewhere in the middle,
and this will be another factor in how you choose the right Blackjack
table for you.
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