This post is syndicated by the Las Vegas Advisor for the 888 casino group. Anthony Curtis comments on the 888 article introduced and linked to on this page.
AC Says:
There’s no shortage of bad gambling advice out there, as well as misinformation and faulty assumptions. Perhaps at the front of the list for blackjack is the notion that the skill level of the other players at the table affects your results. Or specifically, that a bad player, especially one who’s last to act before the dealer, will negatively affect the overall outcome of good players. You’ve heard it a thousand times, but it’s not true. Anyone who’s ever felt this needs to read this article in which Henry Tamburin presents evidence that settles the matter. It’s your skill level that determines your results, not the play of others. Pay attention also to the list of things that do matter. I’ll take slight issue with the last bullet point that observing a lot of small cards having been dealt in previous rounds signals a good time to raise your bet. That’s certainly the essence of card counting, but simply “observing” isn’t likely to yield solid information. You need to become proficient at counting to detect favorable situations.
This article was written by Henry Tamburin in association with 888Casino.
THE INCREDIBLY WRONG ADVICE IN BLACKJACK STRATEGY
Several years ago, I wrote an article that contained misinformation about blackjack that originated from players, dealers, movies, and the Internet. I thought I had heard and read all the nonsensical misconceptions about blackjack that have been spoken or written over the past 50 years; however, I was wrong, dead wrong.
That’s because I recently received a print magazine published in the USA for casino players that contained an article on blackjack strategy, which floored me…
Bad players, regardless of position, do not effect my winning or losing in the long run, but (a) they do seem to hurt me in the short run (selective memory at work), and (b) they tick me off no end, with their splitting tens and other obviously wrong plays. Even if I’m winning, I’m not enjoying myself.
I can find other tables at which to play and/or other casinos. I’d rather sustain a small loss and enjoy myself than have a small win or break even and put up with bad play (and usually stupid chatter).
When someone at my table makes an egregiously bad play and does it yet again, I wait until I lose a hand and leave the table. It’s not always about the money.
That’s a good point. If it’s affecting your mood or even just the enjoyment of playing, then that is of importance.
Yep. This advice is in The Frugal Gambler. If you are playing VP or slots and someone/something bothers you, move. Take a break. If there is another “full-pay” machine available nearby, play that one. Cigar smokers and folks who try to talk to me while I’m playing–I move. Ditto chain smokers. (Who freaking chain smokes these days?)