{"id":32403,"date":"2022-08-21T17:30:23","date_gmt":"2022-08-21T22:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/?p=32403"},"modified":"2024-05-10T10:19:18","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T15:19:18","slug":"scouting-blackjack-tables","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/scouting-blackjack-tables\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Scout The Best Blackjack Tables"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Casinos are distracting. They\u2019re meant to be<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But for both your mental health and that of\nyour bankroll, it\u2019s important to take a little time to find the blackjack table\nthat\u2019s right for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll be wanting three things: Table stakes that fit your bankroll, great blackjack rules<\/a>, and a table where you can relax and have fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Scout For The Right Minimums and Maximums<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Table stakes are important because if you\u2019re\nplaying on a table with a minimum bet too high for your bankroll, it\u2019s much\nmore likely that you will go bust sooner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a few bad hands will wipe you out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you can afford a few more minimum bets,\nyou can weather a small run of bad luck.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good rule of thumb is a bankroll of at\nleast 20 times the table minimum, and preferably 40 times. That means you\nshould bring at least $100 dollars to a $5 table, and $500 to a $25 table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always try and set loss limits for each\ngaming session and stick to them. Then use those limits when scouting blackjack\ntables to play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Limits are always posted on the table sign\non each table. You should be aware that management can (and does) change table\nminimums to meet demand, often with little notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Blackjack<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Be prepared to walk away if your $10 game\nsuddenly becomes a $25 game and your bankroll isn\u2019t big enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the size of the casino, lower\nlimit games may be featured up front, sometimes in \u201cfun pits\u201d designed to catch\nthe eye of passers-by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More medium limits may be further back in\nthe casino in comparatively quieter areas, and high limits will often be found\noff to the side in a private room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When in doubt, simply ask one of the blackjack dealers<\/a>, floor people, or even the cocktail servers where you might find the particular limits you are looking for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Scout The Best Blackjack Conditions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve found tables with appropriate stakes, you want to try and get the most bang for your buck. This means cutting the house advantage<\/a> as low as you can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three biggest things you can look for to keep the blackjack house edge<\/a> small are table rules, the number of decks in play, and the type of shuffler being used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Table Rules<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While it might seem odd, many casinos have\ndifferent rules on their blackjack tables depending on their table limits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You want to balance your need for a certain\nminimum bet vs. the best rules you can find. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A couple of nefarious rules often seen at lower limit tables are only paying 6\/5 on blackjack<\/a> instead of 3\/2 and even charging a commission of 25 cents on each hand to play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should avoid these at all costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask the dealers if they have full pay\nblackjack tables, and if they are a bit higher limits it may be worth hunting\nthem down in this particular case. Or even ask if nearby casinos have full pay\ntables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those 6\/5 tables can add as much as 300% to\nthe house advantage and the commission tables can be even worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You then want to look for other rules that\nhave less impact on the house advantage but can still make a big difference\nlong term.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, you want to look for tables that\nallow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n