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Checking-Out Tables

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Scouting in a brick and mortar environment is key to finding tables that give the house the minimum possible advantage. You may visit many casinos before finding one that has reasonable rules. Scouting is also important when depending on advantage play. Unlike scouting in player-VS-player games, you are looking for weak dealers rather than weak players in blackjack.

First, let’s cover table rules scouting. There is a table-points system that you can use in order to make sure that you’re getting a fair or favorable game. Given a basic Atlantic City rules table of 8 decks, double after splitting, dealer stands on soft 17, split to 4 hands, double on any first two cards. Tables with these rules start with a value of 0, considered a fair game (0.4% house advantage). Then assess the following bonuses and penalties:

NEVER PLAY WITH THESE RULES: Player loses ties of (any combination of) 18, 19, 20, 21. Bust on 22 is a push.

Tables rated as a ‘0’ have typical odds. A positive rating gives the player better than typical odds (though you’ll never see a score of 4 or better, unless the house enjoys losing money). Stay away from tables with a negative rating.

Now, scouting dealers is a bit different. You’re looking for bad habits that can work in your favor. Are they not using their mirror properly? A re they lifting their cards too high and for too long when they peek? Do they look new? Can you pick up a tell when they peek? Do they misinterpret the rules in the payers’ favor?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, then you want to take advantage of the dealer’s potential weakness. Remember that the peek is the most pivotal dealer interaction at the blackjack table. If the dealer does anything on the peek that can increase your odds, that’s the table that you want to be sitting at.

Paying attention is your most profitable skill. It will help you survive, thrive, and eventually achieve your goals!

By Bill Ricardi
Blackjack Expert