Blackjack Switch... Questions......

[Ninja Chipmunk]

Recently I was at a casino with Blackjack Switch. After watching the table for 30 minutes or so I decided to sit down and play. The table minimum was $5 ($10 total for both hands). I was sitting at third base and after a few shoes the person next to me left.

After the shuffle I decided to play both spots, 4 hands total. I doubled my bet to $10 on each hand ($40 total per round). I made it almost through that shoe when the pit boss came over and said that I was only permitted to play 1 seat. I could increase my bet on my seat but I could not play 2 seats. I asked him if I needed to increase my bets to play both seats and he stated that players are not allowed to play 2 seats on Blackjack Switch. When I pressed him for a reason why he said he didn't know but that was the rules they had been trained on.

Now I was flat betting and using basic strategy (or so I thought!) and I was not counting so I was very surprised by this move. What reason could they have to limit my play? No one else was waiting to play the table...

When I got home from this casino trip I looked up the basic strategy for Blackjack Switch. Wow was I off! I am surprised that I cam out 11 units ahead! Pure luck.

Last, what is the general rule on exposed cards? I had a situation where a rookie dealer pulled out 2 cards. He gave one to the person next to me and the 2nd was a face card laying on the felt. Now, I had 2 hands of 13 vs dealer 9. Pit came over and said I had to take the face card if I wanted to hit. I argued that I could not hit either of my hands as I was going to bust and was a huge underdog against a dealer 9. Besides this the exposed card should be burned and either I be allowed to draw the next card or anyone at the table allowed to withdraw there hand. After several minutes of arguing and the pit refusing I decided, under protest to stand. The dealer of course turned over a 10 for a 19.

What should I have done in this situation?

[ccl]

exposed cards vary casino to casino and sometimes floor to floorperson, ive seen at the same casino even the same shift the boss burn the card after offering it to everyone, or if it was a card that would bust the dealer (face with a 5 up) and the dealer made a hand they told everyone pull their bets as well as using the card for the next hit/hand 2 - 3 hands later

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by Ninja Chipmunk

I had a situation where a rookie dealer pulled out 2 cards. He gave one to the person next to me and the 2nd was a face card laying on the felt. Now, I had 2 hands of 13 vs dealer 9.

I don't know but they're a lot of hands that, if you started with 2 13's vs 9, you'd want to switch them before you applied BS.

[Brock Windsor]

Originally Posted by Ninja Chipmunk

......
What should I have done in this situation?

You should not have argued and should have left the 10 for the dealer. You were giving up an advantage requesting it be burned, steering a 10 card to the dealer has a 30% edge in regular BJ all other things equal. An AP likely would have also requested a marker for first base if it was open so they could get that 10 in the event the dealer didn't take a card (which was the case).
BW

[moo321]

Originally Posted by Brock Windsor

You should not have argued and should have left the 10 for the dealer. You were giving up an advantage requesting it be burned, steering a 10 card to the dealer has a 30% edge in regular BJ all other things equal. An AP likely would have also requested a marker for first base if it was open so they could get that 10 in the event the dealer didn't take a card (which was the case).
BW

Yeah, you should have left the 10 for the dealer.

[callipygian]

Steering the 10 towards the dealer probably was the best move. But apart from that:

If you are at a disadvantage when a questionable situation comes up, request to withdraw your bet and forfeit your hands. You'll essentially push on a hand when you would have probably lost anyway, and play out the hands that you'll probably win. Mistakes don't usually happen often enough to make a huge difference in overall EV, but if you keep your head on your shoulders you can eek out a few extra units by selectively requesting do-overs.

The trick is to be able to very quickly know when you are at an advantage and when you are at a disadvantage (which is not obvious with blackjack switch).

[moo321]

Oh, and the pit boss didn't ask you to play 1 spot because he thought you were counting. It was just procedure, and he wanted to keep the spot open.

[bjcounter]

Depending on where you were playing, switch is typically full. They probably just wanted to give someone else the option to sit and play.

[Ninja Chipmunk]

Originally Posted by moo321

Oh, and the pit boss didn't ask you to play 1 spot because he thought you were counting. It was just procedure, and he wanted to keep the spot open.

Originally Posted by bjcounter

Depending on where you were playing, switch is typically full. They probably just wanted to give someone else the option to sit and play.

I wasn't worried they thought I was a counter (I do not count yet). I was simply surprised that procedure was to not allow someone to play multiple hands. If you are willing to double your bet to play 2 seats, what does the casino care if I someone else can sit and play? I have only ever encountered this with BJ Switch.

[Cardcounter]

Seeing the next card could only help you. You went from a 0% chance of winning to having a 20% chance of winning. You must of had identical 13's because you couldn't swith them out to make 20 and 6. I wouldn't complain about getting the chance to take the card after having seen it. If it helps your hand you take if not you stand.