In some of my previous writings about Blackjack I ventured to offer some examples of poor play and, in particular, the mannerisms of bad or inexperienced players; well, I believe that overall in the last few years, Blackjack play has deteriorated to an even lower level, if that's possible.
Most - if not all - Casinos in the UK will now allow the player the maximum of freedom on the tables: that is, just like Las Vegas and other Casinos around the world, the player can now double any two cards, and split any two cards the same.
I don't know how many of you remember the days when - in the UK at least - it was only permissable to double-down on the first two cards if they totalled nine, ten or eleven, and you also in those days couldn't split a pair of fours, fives or tens; well that was how it was generally around ten or so years ago, and a lot less than that in some clubs, and yes - for the cynical amongst people I have spoken to - those limitations were in place to protect the player.
But that has gone out of the window, and with the further advent of alcohol allowed at the Gaming Tables, bars open later, and - in some cases - 'walk-in' Casinos where one doesn't even have to be a member any more to enter and play, we have seen this new freedom of play result in the further decline in the standard of Blackjack play. Some of the things I have witnessed myself make me literally shake my head in disbelief.
The mannerisms give these people away first of all, and the things they say, (I mean, no good knowledgeable player says 'hit me' when they want a card). Sometimes they do this 'twirly hand' motion, where they're - I suppose - attempting to mimick the dealer pulling the card from the shoe (but failing miserably); I mean what's wrong with saying 'card' or 'no': is it complicated?
I once saw a group of three middle-aged men playing together and one of them was doing the 'twirly hand' thing and doubling on EVERYTHING, (and I mean everything), like 13 against the dealer's Ace, 6 against 10, 14 against 8 - ANYTHING. And his bets kept losing, and more than one of us tried to explain to him that maybe he should change his strategy; but he just looked at us with kind of 'blank' eyes and continued to do it anyway, and then ripped into the dealer when he'd lost all his chips for being 'so lucky' and 'ruthless'. Yea right, he really needed so much luck to beat you, playing such an intelligent game.
Wandering off the subject slightly: I love that player that gets Blackjack against the Dealer's Ace and then when asked whether he/she wants to take even money looks completely lost and goes 'hnnn?' or 'sorry?' and when - even when - they have it explained meticulously to them by the dealer, they put another chip down - ON TOP (!!) - of their bet! What are they thinking? Do they think it's a double? How can you think that's a double? They might be sitting in the middle of the table and it's not even their turn, but they still think - apparently - that they are being asked to double!
People that touch their bets during a hand or try to top up their bets are ALWAYS players that haven't a clue; not a clue about the game, about etiquette, nothing. That's another 'bad player' giveaway.
