Blackjack Bob draws fire for making the right plays – Atlantic City Weekly

Bob and I both know soft 18 against 10 isnt a winning hand, but average losses decrease if you hit rather than stand. In a common six-deck game where the dealer hits soft 17, youll lose an average of 17.96 cents per dollar wagered if you stand, but only 14.29 if you hit.

My refusal to take even money on blackjacks was a sore point, too. It came up three times. I declined even money three times. The dealer never had a blackjack and I collected my full 3-2 payoffs. Nevertheless, I got the old insurance is the only sure way to earn money in the casino lecture. And I got it in stereo.

Ive had the impression more players had learned to steer clear of insurance, which includes even-money, since Bob and I started playing in the 1980s. It would be a break-even bet if a third of the cards were 10-values, but they make up only 30.8 percent of the deck.

But the one that really got them is when I split 8s against a 10. The first time, the kid started chanting, No, no, no, no, no, and the dealer said, Honey, I rarely see that play work. I got a 10 on one 8 for 18, but drew a 7 and a 6 on the second for 21. The dealer had a 10 down for 20.

I hadnt answered the critics to that point. My plays are mine, and others dont bother me. But I finally said, Now youve seen it work. I push. If Id hit or stood, Id have lost.

The dealer said, This time, I guess, but the kid said, You take ridiculous risks. I had to laugh. I said, Thats me, living on the edge.

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Blackjack Bob draws fire for making the right plays - Atlantic City Weekly