Basic Question Regarding Sitting Out Hands

Hello all,

The casinos I frequent are small, having maybe 1-4 six deck games. As such, it seems wonging in and out would make me stand out, even though I do not count. Do counters ever stay at the same table and sit out rounds that are 'bad?'

Invariably, it seems that someone complains that I am disrupting the rhythm of the cards if I sit out 5-6 hands and then play one hand, and then sit out another 5-6 hands, etc. Is it considered bad blackjack etiquette to do so, especially if doing so upsets other players?

It seems to me that me sitting out hands is akin to me playing one hand but jumping up to betting two hands simultaneously every 5-6 rounds.

But it seems the player going from 1 to 2 hands doesn't get the flack that the player going from 0 to 1 hand does?

Any thoughts/recommendations regarding how to not play every hand at low-limit tables in small casinos? Perhaps it's just not feasible? (I play at $5 tables.)

Thank you.

You are experiencing what is known as the bane of the $5 game. It is one of the reasons you need to move up to the green chip level. SOON!

If someone complains when you sit out negative counts tell them to play a second hand so the cards don't change. That will shut them up after a while.

Look into the section in Don Schlesingers book on the math behind jumping out on negative counts for more insight on the subject. I usually just go to the bathroom or stand up from the table like my phone is on silent mode and getting a call. I have just sat at the table and stopped playing when the count went negative and jumped back in when it went positive but you need the right crowd to do that. Sometimes people will sit out "just to spite you" when you come back in as the count goes positive. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Yes, faking receiving a phone call is a very effective method of covering Wonging. For some reason, people understand that, and if you do it right, like by saying one second, and then pulling back your bet, and then getting up and walking a few feet away, people seem to appreciate that you're being considerate too. And, if people get upset, and sit out when you come back, then that turns out to help you also, assuming you are coming back because the count turned positive.

Who cares about blackjack etiquette? If you do, you will short change yourself. I see players get frustrated all the time with my "weird" index plays, jumping from 1 hand to 2, then back to 1, sitting out hands, etc., and I don't let it dictate the way I play. When I play, I do what needs to be done to get the money out, and so should you.

As far as sitting out hands... Like other people have mentioned, take a "phone call", "text message", "bathroom break", etc. If table options are limited, I may stick out some pretty negative counts and save my "bathroom breaks" for when the count really tanks! You can only use the restroom so many times in one session. If I'm in the middle of a really bad losing streak and the count is tanking at the same time, I'll just look frustrated and use it as an excuse to sit out some hands or wait for a new shoe. And lastly, I always take "important phone calls/texts" as an excuse to step away. If the other people look frustrated with you, who cares? Just do what you need to do. Good luck.

- Ryemo

At our local casino they ask you to step away from the table if you get on the phone. S0, when the count tanks I often receive a "phone call" that seems to end as the shoe ends more or less. As mentioned by others, the "bathroom break" can be used to advantage. Just check how many cards remain in the shoe and guesstimate how long a break you need. Good cards!

The casino is aware of that ploy. You'll need more creativity.

The casinos were well aware of team play when Al Francesco with Ken Uston and others did very well with it. A full generation later the M.I.T. team did just fine and the casinos were well aware of team play. Hmmmm!

There now exists an entirely new element of team play-far removed from its predecessor.

There 'ya go!