Do you allow other players to place bets on your hands

[Thunder]

I have been at tables before where it was pretty crowded and people waiting for a seat, wanted to place bets on my hand. Do you usually allow them to? I am generally really hesitant because I'm scared they'll get mad at me if I make a deviation from basic strategy when the time requires it.

[shadroch]

I'd have no problem with someone betting on me, nor a problem with them getting upset.

[Mimosine]

new years eve i spread to 2 hands and whom else but a ploppy at the table got bent out of shape and pulled back their bet. they asked to put it on top of mine, i said "no problem, but the decision on the hand is mine."

they played it, we won, they looked pissed off at me, they left and i rode out that shoe til the end playing 2 hands.

that was my first $1k in one day win.... too. quite memorable for many reasons, but i'm sure i won't forget this ploppy and they won't forget me.

there are many great ways to exploit spreading to two hands when there is one empty seat at a table and a ploppy is playing 2 hands. you spread to 2 and they freak and go to one, the count goes neutral and you go back to one.....

[Automatic Monkey]

Originally Posted by shadroch

I'd have no problem with someone betting on me, nor a problem with them getting upset.

Unless it's another AP I try to avoid it, no benefit in risking an altercation with a civilian.

But I do like it if they play the sidebet too, because to someone just glancing at the table it looks like I'm playing the sidebet and that's free cover.

[creeping panther]

Originally Posted by Thunder

I have been at tables before where it was pretty crowded and people waiting for a seat, wanted to place bets on my hand. Do you usually allow them to? I am generally really hesitant because I'm scared they'll get mad at me if I make a deviation from basic strategy when the time requires it.

Never, no way, Nada.

CP

[RingyDingy]

Personally I don't give a crap what people do in terms of betting behind me, they just have to abide by my plays, which may be good, bad or ugly in thier opinion.

the trick is to make people to NOT want to bet behind you. Just chant "oh here comes another 16 I can just feel it!, come on 16!" every so often and you'll be sure that nobody will bet behind you.

[ihate17]

Since most gamblers are superstitious, I have been very successful by just telling these people that when someone bets on my hand I always seem to lose.

A problem can come up when someone bets real big on your hand and you land up with a negative expectation split such as 8,8 vs 9,10,Ace.

ihate17

[johndoe]

If the count is high I'll often invite them to back-bet me rather than take up another spot, so as not to disturb the magical flow.

[Martin Gayle]

Originally Posted by ihate17

Since most gamblers are superstitious, I have been very successful by just telling these people that when someone bets on my hand I always seem to lose.

A problem can come up when someone bets real big on your hand and you land up with a negative expectation split such as 8,8 vs 9,10,Ace.

ihate17

If they are betting more than you tell them, if you don't give me $XXX or I will hit this or not hit this etc. If it doesn't start a brawl it will make you money.

If someone is going to add a spot in a good count it is better to have them piggy back just to keep the big cards from falling on a neutral hand.

[GeorgeD]

Originally Posted by Thunder

I have been at tables before where it was pretty crowded and people waiting for a seat, wanted to place bets on my hand. Do you usually allow them to? I am generally really hesitant because I'm scared they'll get mad at me if I make a deviation from basic strategy when the time requires it.

I have no problem. I just make it clear and say: "I decide on how to play the hands, OK"? Even then if I get something like 99 vs 10, I'll say "I'm going to split those, but you don't have to split too". Unfortunately their stuck with my doubles, but should understand by now it's my call.