How to Win at Blackjack: Intimidation

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How to Win at Blackjack: Intimidation

The seat to the immediate right of the dealer at a Blackjack table ("third base") is often called the 'hot spot' because a lot of players think the 'anchor man' controls the flow of the cards and can, through stupid play, ruin the game for everyone. It's all a bunch of bull, as you should well know if you've been following my lessons to this point. How any other person at your table plays will not affect you in the long run. Yes, a player can make a play which might cause you to lose that particular hand, but in the long run, other players' 'dumb' moves will help you as often as they will hurt you. Problem is, you only remember when they hurt you.

But, such attitudes discourage many of you from either sitting at third base, or they inspire you to play the hand incorrectly so as not to 'mess up the order of the cards.' Any of you who have played Blackjack for a while have heard that phrase and if you've deviated from proper basic strategy to save face, you're letting others play your hand, but more importantly, you're giving $$$ away by doing so. How many of you will hit a 12 against a dealer's 2? Most people don't, but it's the correct basic strategy play. How many of you would do it if you were sitting at third base?

You have to eliminate intimidation as a factor in your game. Believe me, it's tough enough making $$$ at a Blackjack table without playing your hand wrong. Of course, the easiest solution here is to not sit at at third base. That may not always be possible, but I seldom sit at third base, however not because I'm intimidated. I avoid it because most casino personnel think that's where counters sit. But, if I find a real good game where the dealer is putting out a lot of cards before shuffling, I may sit at third base and I will, I guarantee you, play the hands properly. Since I also vary my basic strategy plays according to the count, some of my moves look downright stupid. Who ever hits a 12 against a dealer's 4? I do, whenever the count is minus. That play drives the others at the table bonkers! And I love it because that frequently makes them get up and move to another table. See what I'm driving at here? If it's a good game, I'd much rather be at the table by myself, not because I'm worried about how others play their hands, but because I get more hands per hour with less people at the table and the more I play, the more I make. If such a tactic makes you uncomfortable, then don't sit at third base.

But what about the 'know-it-all' player at your table? Ever run across him or her? They'll gladly tell you (usually after you've played your hand) what you're doing wrong. Now, I'm not one for confrontation in the casino, simply because it attracts too much attention and I don't want that, but every once in a while, Mr. or Ms. "Expert" needs to be told where to get off. Once when I was playing at a $25 double-deck game, I doubled an A-8 against the dealer's 6 and pulled a 10. The dealer then proceeded to pull a 5 to make 21 and we all lost. The 'expert' asked me why I did that. My answer to him was: "If you think I played that hand incorrectly, this game is going to cost you a lot of money." Silence. At that point, he knew that I knew.

So, if the proper play is to hit A-7 against a 9, then do it. Hit those 12s against the dealer's 2 or 3 and double when you should double. Don't worry about what others think; just let them know you charge extra if you also have to play their hand.

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