What Can You Do To Stop the Blackjack Dealer from Giving Advice?

This doesn't happen in Vegas much anymore, I've noticed, but we were playing blackjack at a casino in Wendover on our way in at a table where the dealer was apparently trying to hurry things along by telling players who seemed indecisive about what to do in a hand what "the book" says to do. Why was she doing that and what could we have done to make her stop? It really ruined our enjoyment of the game.

[Editor's Note: For this answer, we turned to an ex-dealer and floorman of our acquaintance, who was more than happy to answer the question, given their experience in the matter.]

I can make this short and simple, since I was, once, just such a dealer -- though not through any fault of my own.

You see, management at a small casino I once worked at insisted we do everything we could to speed up play at the tables. More hands per hour means more player money exposed to the house edge, right? First, we were told to wag our index fingers at players who had a decision to make, like saying "C'mere" or "C'mon." That was supposed to pressure them to act.

However, at some point, it became clear that this strategy was backfiring. Dealers were driving away players by running over them on their way to winning some sort of marathon.

So then, we were told to offer advice, quoting basic strategy. "The book says to double on 11 against a 6."

That created an even bigger problem. Some of the dealers resented having to learn basic strategy on their own time, so they did a half-assed job of it, then made a hash of the advice that they gave to the players.

It wasn't long before a player called me out on it and I never forgot what he did. It made me a much better dealer and supervisor. You can do it too if it ever becomes necessary again.

When a dealer tries to play your hand for you, ask him the following question with a smile on your face. "If I take your advice and lose, will the casino allow me to keep the losing bet? In other words, if I play it the way you say, you’re guaranteeing me a win, right?" That almost always shuts up a dealer.

If not? In the off chance that the dealer continues to offer up advice, call over the floorman and say something like, "This dealer is telling me how to play, but he's not paying me when I lose. Is it the casino's policy to give bad advice to its players?"

Of course, if you have to resort to those lengths, you and the dealer will certainly be at odds, so it'll probably be time to pick up your checks and sit down at another table where the dealer properly dummies up and deals.

Nowadays, at the bigger casinos, dealers are actually prohibited from giving advice on any game, except pai gow poker, and even then, they can tell the player only how the house would set the hands and must remind the player, "This is not a guarantee that you'll win."

All that said, card counters sometimes like dealer advice. If the advice is correct (or only marginally off) and a boss is watching, they'll let the dealer play their hand. This is one way to look less like a counter. Dealer help can also be solicited at key times. For example, the dealer has an ace up and the count dictates taking insurance, but you haven't been taking insurance during the session and doing so now might look suspicious. If you have a strong hand, like a 20, and ask if you should insure it, the dealer will usually nod yes (not necessarily with weak hands, though). So you accomplish your goal with a little bit of cover.

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Comments

Sharon Sep-05-2024

Good advice

I gamble early morning since I’m often the only one at the table.  I like
Interacting with the dealer!  Makes gambling more FUN

Dave Sep-05-2024

EX DEALER

We were allowed to say what the basic strategy play is when asked, but that is different scenario then what is being presented here. This was at Barona in San Diego. And yes, we all had to have working knowledge of basic strategy (which I had before I even started there).

Andrew Cioffi Sep-05-2024

No Advice

My first comment is that it bothers me when people play at tables and don't know how to play and start asking for advice.  Not good.  Learn the game and have your own strategy, whether it's by 'the book' or not.

Secondly, there was an instance where a player asked for the dealer's advice, and ended up losing the hand (not blackjack) and then complained about the dealer's advice.  At first he was reprimanded until everyone else at the table backed the dealer.

John Goodale Sep-05-2024

Dealer Aggressiveness

Had a situation once where the dealer was actually playing my hands.  At one point when I was given a card that busted me, I protested that I'd given no hand signal to hit.  The pit boss was called over and my bet was refunded.  Definitely takes the fun out of the game when the dealer gets in the way of playing our own hands.

John Hearn Sep-05-2024

Simple answer

To paraphrase my hero, Jean Scott, if you are unhappy at any machine or any table--too hot, too cold, a smoker at your table, don't like the dealer's haircut--just leave. Yeah, I know that maybe the game you want to play is not available, and maybe you will miss chatting up the uninterested woman on your right. The game will always be there.

jay Sep-05-2024

Chatter

I usually enjoy the table chatter. 
If I wanted dummy up and deal I would play against a machine.

steve crouse Sep-05-2024

2 deck

On 2 deck games where players cards are dealt down, I never look at my cards until it's my turn to play.
It keeps me sharp and rarely does it slow the game down.

Fumb Duck Sep-05-2024

Tip Hustling

In many cases a dealer cheering for the player or giving advice is just an attempt to encourage tipping. If asked, a dealer often answers, "I would ..." or "the book says..." without actually telling you what to do. It is still your decision. It's harmless, so don't let it bug you.

Joseph Sep-05-2024

A Better Question

Why do people risk their money on a game they don't know how to play?

Eileen Sep-05-2024

QOD reading

Why have the mechanics to ready the QOD changed?  Previously I'd get the email and just click on the QOD.  Now I have 3 clicks - click to see my sign-in info, then click after seeing the info, and then click QOD to read.  Why the change?  If I get the QOD notification email it's because I'm a paying member, right?  So why do I have to keep clicking away?

Llew Sep-05-2024

Strategy

Every blackjack table I ever played at allowed players to use a basic strategy card. Had to be printed, though. Early on, I had one on my phone. Even though I showed the floor that it was only a strategy chart, I had to put the phone away. 

One time, many years ago at Harrahs in Atlantic City, there was a woman at fifth street at a table where I was playing. She obviously had no clue what she was doing. At first, a few other players were upset with her until they realized that her moves were making the dealer lose every hand!  We told her, “We have no idea what you are doing but just keep doing it!”  😅

AL Sep-05-2024

Comments

1. I didn't know that Utah had legalized blackjack. The question-poser said they were playing BJ in Wendover, which is in Utah, not West Wendover, which is in NV.
2. A dealer telling an uninformed player how to play a BJ hand wouldn't ruin my enjoyment of the game. Instead, I would enjoy it more than if we had to sit and wait for the no-clue player to take his time and decide what to do.
3. I agree that people who don't know BJ strategy would be better off not playing. But such players will always come and play, so we just have to deal with it.
4. Here's another possible remedy: If the dealer is giving advice to YOU, you can tell them "I appreciate your trying to help me, but I'd prefer to decide what to do on my own."
5. For "Llew": The reason why you could not use your phone to verify strategy is because it's an electronic device, and those are not allowed (i.e., not legal) in NV casinos. Strategy cards are OK because they are not electronic devices.

Raymond Sep-05-2024

Advice

I don't ask for advice, and I don't offer it unless asked.  IMO dealers should do the same.

Where I get upset is when a dealer offers the wrong advice, usually at blackjack.  Sometimes I think it's not intentional, but sometimes I think they're trying to make the player lose (especially at some of the "better" places).  And people who offer advice without being asked should have a nice, hot cup of STFU.

Question of the Day - 05 September 2024

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