first or third base?
- Thread starter karlmaj
- Start date
its all situational.
Its good to be able to play from all seats. Yes there is an edge to being in a later seat like QFIT shows in his graph. But then again there are other edges can be available to other seats if you know how to utilize them. So the real question is balancing what is best for the situation. If you can get a larger edge sitting in an earlier spot at this particular game then go for it, if not default to 3rd base because we know what its advantage is. The most important part of seat picking is what effect it has either it as camo or advantage. There should be no general rule saying all games this seat is the best because of small nuances that can shift those. Basically just look at each table and make the best choice that fits your need. Because every situation is different make the best choice for you.
Its good to be able to play from all seats. Yes there is an edge to being in a later seat like QFIT shows in his graph. But then again there are other edges can be available to other seats if you know how to utilize them. So the real question is balancing what is best for the situation. If you can get a larger edge sitting in an earlier spot at this particular game then go for it, if not default to 3rd base because we know what its advantage is. The most important part of seat picking is what effect it has either it as camo or advantage. There should be no general rule saying all games this seat is the best because of small nuances that can shift those. Basically just look at each table and make the best choice that fits your need. Because every situation is different make the best choice for you.
I like/prefer first base, because when the players are still trying to figure out how to play their hand, they dont have enough time to tell you how to play yours.
Also, I really hate it, when ploppys blame you for taking the bust card. Which we all know, the third base player is either loved or hated.
Also, I really hate it, when ploppys blame you for taking the bust card. Which we all know, the third base player is either loved or hated.
I would say third base has another advantage that I don't think anyone else has mentioned. Many times, when the dealer is about to put the cards in the shoe after shuffling or right beforehand, they expose the last card, thereby giving you a slight edge when counting. You wouldn't be able to see it if you were at first base or in the middle most likely because they stack up the cads against the left side of the shoe before placing the cut card. Also if you're good at tracking cards, sometimes if they do a sloppy job stacking up the cards, you can see some of the cards in the middle.
I find it a little more difficult to estimate the remaining decks from third base. In the first base hole all you have to do is stare directly across the table and make the calculation. Even for shuffle tracking I would think it most people would prefer first base because of position.
Some casinos use a cut card behind the last card of the shoe so you can't see it.
Some casinos use a cut card behind the last card of the shoe so you can't see it.
3rd advantage
i've seen dealers pull a card out of the shoe to give somebody a hit but the player either changes their mind or the dealer is going too fast. I get a flash of the card on third base before they can put it back next to the shoe. If no one else takes the card my decision to hit or stand becomes pretty simple.
Might even persuade me to double down. The faster dealers do it more often!
i've seen dealers pull a card out of the shoe to give somebody a hit but the player either changes their mind or the dealer is going too fast. I get a flash of the card on third base before they can put it back next to the shoe. If no one else takes the card my decision to hit or stand becomes pretty simple.
Might even persuade me to double down. The faster dealers do it more often!