VP vs BJ

[MikeA]

 Since you're in the explaining mode, what is the "deal" with the six deck shuffling procedure? The dealer goes through a long ritual that seems to take forever. It seems they would want to be playing more hands with a faster shuffle, say mechanical.
The "shuffle routine" is not intended to deter players.  It is instituted in each casino and it is mandatory for the dealers to use all the same routines for the benefit of the "Eye in the Sky".  With a prescribed shuffle ritual, there is smaller chance for a "mechanic" to ply his trade in cooperation with a partner playing at the table.However, I'm sure you've notice in a large number of tables, a machine called a Shuffle Master is used to shuffle one 6-deck set (and some double decks and even Single Decks) while play is going on with a second set of cards.  With those, there is very little delay.These Shuffle Masters are not to be confused with CSMs (Constant Shuffle Machines).  The Shuffle Masters just take the manual effort out of shuffling the cards.  You are still playing as though they were manually shuffled.

[MikeA]

I have added some terms to the Glossary and went ahead and included a generated Strategy Chart for a commonly found 6-deck Blackjack game.  I'll keep adding stuff to that web-feature as conversation brings it to mind from here on the forum.BTW, if any of you can think of things pertaining to VP that would fit within the scope of that little website, please bring them to my attention.  I do not intend to post a set of strategy charts for each and every VP game and Paytable.  But, if you have a list of links or a favorite link that with a brief introduction could be of use, I would definitely consider setting up a "topic" to cover that!But think "outside the box" folks.  So much stuff is available but all too often, it's just the same-ole/same-ole.  I'd like this to be pretty useful.

[EDC1977]

 Mike, is there a situation where taking insurance out would be an advantage play as opposed to being a bad bet? With such a high rate of return for the house, I usually don't take insurance as a general rule plus tto, I don't often ante enough to risk losing big chunks if the dealer draws an ace. Similar to the bonus toke on "let it ride".

[MikeA]

 Mike, is there a situation where taking insurance out would be an advantage play as opposed to being a bad bet? With such a high rate of return for the house, I usually don't take insurance as a general rule plus tto, I don't often ante enough to risk losing big chunks if the dealer draws an ace. Similar to the bonus toke on "let it ride".YES Ed, there is a definite situation in which Insurance and "even money" is a good bet.  If you are using the Unbalanced Count that I use, on a 6-deck shoe, if the count gets to +3 or higher, you take the Insurance bet.  Basically, that +3 count means that the deck is rich in face cards (tens) and it is much more likely that if the dealer is showing an Ace, he has a face underneath for the Blackjack.  But if you are not counting, the best bet is to refuse it since there is NO WAY you can know whether the deck is rich in faces or not without counting!On another note, simulations are beginning to almost contradict the old edict that you should never take Even Money.  Even on bad counts, the "even money" bet is such a close call "in the long run" that you are not going to hurt yourself to get paid 1:1 on a Blackjack if the dealer has an Ace.Simulations are proving a lot of stuff out that has always been considered "Biblical" in Blackjack.  There is an old quote in blackjack that says never split "F's" meaning 4's, 5's, and Faces.The only one of those three that you never split is 5's!  Faces, you can split with advantage if the count is +6 in an Unbalanced Count if you can get away with it without drawing a lot of "heat".Fives, you never split;  you double them if the dealer is showing anything less than a Ten.But Fours...there's the big thing simulators have divulged!  Old strategy said that you could double the pair of fours if the dealer had a 5 or 6 showing.  But that is a risky double!  Instead, the sims have revealed that you are far better spliting them against a 5 or 6!  The reason is that you have two chances at a double down hand after the split!  I've really had people "urinated off" at me when I do that at the tables.  I've been screamed at, cussed at and even threatened by players after splitting them.  I've also run people off the table in frustration <LOL>  Breaks my heart!

[shadowman]

  I've really had people "urinated off" at me when I do that at the tables.  I've been screamed at, cussed at and even threatened by players after splitting them.  I've also run people off the table in frustration <LOL>  Breaks my heart!

 
The nice benefit about everyone thinking you are clueless is the casino probably feels the same way and would never consider you a threat.

[MikeA]

 
The nice benefit about everyone thinking you are clueless is the casino probably feels the same way and would never consider you a threat.BINGO!  That's the idea!But truthfully, I seldom attempt to count in the casinos any longer.  I mean "seriously count".  Once you've done it, you can hardly keep from seeing and registering hands dealt but I mean counting down the entire shoe.  It takes a lot of concentration though it isn't "hard" and that does take away from the fun of the game.  Serious counters are not out to have "fun", they are out to make money and nothing else at all has any significance.  My skills are rusty and my speed is slow.  It's been a couple of years since I've been serious about it....especially on multideck tables.  Double Deck and Single Deck are not too difficult though.  It's not that multideck (6-deck) is HARD, it's just that you have to concentrate 3 times as long as on a double deck game and you have that much more of an investment in the negative counts while waiting for those that are positive. 

[wilcoxfun]

I was wondering why people would split fours but you made good sense.  I have seen many get some really good hands out of this move and also some yucky ones LOL! 
 
Mike I shared with my wife about your bodyguards.  She is nearly done laughing now. 

[MikeA]

I was wondering why people would split fours but you made good sense.  I have seen many get some really good hands out of this move and also some yucky ones LOL! 
 
Mike I shared with my wife about your bodyguards.  She is nearly done laughing now.  Yeah, you've got to think about it a little but splitting them is logical against a 5 or 6.  Those two are the best "dealer bust" hands you can go up against so right off the bat, you as a player have an advantage.But with splitting the 4's you have TWO chances of drawing an ACE, a 5, a 6 or a 7! On those hands you have a GREAT double down opportunity if the table allows DAS (Double after Split) and most 6-deck tables allow that.

[EDC1977]

 Thanks Mike, I play for enjoyment and only apply basic strategy. My friend and I sat at many tables with other players sneering at us for making plays they thought might have been against the grain. We'd usually get up and leave to another table because a#%holes like that create a bad vibe!

[MikeA]

 Thanks Mike, I play for enjoyment and only apply basic strategy. My friend and I sat at many tables with other players sneering at us for making plays they thought might have been against the grain. We'd usually get up and leave to another table because a#%holes like that create a bad vibe!I have to admit that I've done some crazy things at the tables to get away from negative counts.  One is to use the play of someone else as an excuse to leave!This is JUST A MYTH though.  The thought that what someone else at the tables does "messes up the deck" or "ruins the shoe" is crap!  There is no way that can happen.  A bad play may accidentally cause you to lose a hand but the next time they make a mistake, chances are it will help you.  Your best tactic at a table is to ignore what everyone else does and stick to your game.