"You just cost the entire table."

A number of folks here have suggested various flip remarks as responses to the typical ploppy's lament that your play "cost the table." As tempting as it may be to make such remarks, I don't think it is wise to do it. In fact, I think rude and obnoxious behavior can often be the final straw that broke the camel's back when casinos are evaluating a player, especially if that player is not a big bettor. High-rolling counters know that it is just a matter of time before they get busted by the casinos and their behavior might not be a major factor in their eventual back-off. For the rest of us, breaks can be possible, at least for awhile.

If a player responds to other players with rude words, he is drawing needless attention to himself and not the favorable kind. Players who upset other customers are not desireable to casinos. When someone accuses you of making a play that "cost the table," he or she is the rude one at that point. When you respond in kind, you become the rude player.

Saintly forbearance will get you more mileage than nasty comments will. Don't forget, we aren't there to impress other players or to make them happy. We are there to get the money and sometimes that requires either suffering in silence or, at the most, a well-turned phrase that can be humorous without being insulting. Our reward comes at the cashier's cage, which the ploppies just pass on by with empty pockets. :-)

If you think it is OK to tell me off when I "cost" the table, then you need to tip me when I "save" the table.

probably has the most rational answer I always say "Tell ya what, I'll play my f*cking cards and you play yours and we won't have any problems". They usually leave after a few hands thinking I'm just going to continue screwing up the table.

"....Our reward comes at the cashier's cage,..."

Be warned, folks : Bootlegger can quote the Psalms as readily as the Soft-Doubling Table.

If I have a table with others interjecting about my taking the bust card, changing the flow or such, I usually just tune it out or act like I didn't hear it. If these type of ploppism's are loud, blantant, or pervasive, I certainly will point out, even several rounds later, that "you wouldn't have received that blackjack if I hadn't taken that card earlier". I can certainly work the "woulda, coulda, shoulda" in my favor as well. Playing third base recently, I had a 12 vs. 4 at a slight negative count and called for a hit. Amongst the groans of the table, the dealer asked if I was sure. I replied in the affirmative and was give a seven. The dealer had a ten in the hole and proceeded to bust with another ten value card. Of course, I was quick to point out that "if I hadn't taken that seven, the dealer would've made twenty-one but instead we're all winners".

I don't know how effective this really is in dispelling ploppy myths as I suspect that most at the table would, over time, tune out the rememberance of such an event and rely on their own, faulty, selective memory to hold onto their precious beliefs.

Telescopic

My standard answer: "I'm selfish, if I win I don't care about you".

I think it best not to even engage to the degree you mention. Your action may lead to an on going tit for tat that could effect your game and draw attention to yourself. Not to mention the fact that you never know who you are dealing with.

I once verbally engaged a player who was very aggressive and it led to my being sucker punched, ear damage, and the puncher being placed in jail and barred for life.

Joe.

Ploppies don't need explanations, expletives, or excoriation. You certainly don't want to stand there explaining the theory of card counting, you don't need to be rude, (aside from the fact that it is bad tactics,) and the venom you generate in trying to "humble" the ploppy (fat chance) will leave a residue on yourself.

Road rage, ploppy rage, soccer fan rage. What a sucky way to live.

There are people who will be glad to incite your tendency to lose control, and then they'll take you to the cleaners.

Try acting dumb. (Comes naturally to some of us :-)

I don't care!

Tried it once. It is amazing how shocked people can get at a quiet voice behind a gentle smile!

..yet, if they appear to be someone who would take a gentle reply, I try something like that first.
@^/
HOWEVER, some of the bitter, caustic types, clearly won't take a hint and shut up. Case in point:
One time I hit an A6 (at 3rd base) vs dealer 10 and got a 10. The dealer turned over a stiff, and then hit to 21, and this woman really got onto me. Of course she started with the usual "You had a 17! You shoulda stood!", "You took the dealer's bust card!", "You cost the whole table!". Blah blah blah, she went on and on forever about it.
@^E
Even though one other player told her that I made the right play and the dealer fianlly said "Okay, that's enough!", she continued on.
@^S
So, without looking at her directly, (in fact,I looked at the male dealer and smiled) I very loudly said:
"If I wanted to have some ugly woman nag at me, I woulda stayed at HOME!"
@^*
The silence was deafening.
@^D
Her husband, sitting on the other side of her, never even flinched. Poor guy was probably on my side, after having to live with that cow.
@^D
Basically, I always try to be as polite as possible, and many people respond to that, but there are times when politeness simply won't work, and having the agitator go on and on might either affect my concentration, or draw unwanted pit attention.
@^/
So then I simply have to take control of the situation, and say/do whatever is necessary to get them to either shut up or leave the table. Not to sound harsh, but I don't really care which one they do.
Just my 2 cents worth.

Take care,
@^)
Cyclops

that if I need any blackjack advice I will get it from somebody who knows something.

IC

Treat ploppies and casino personnel like clients and bosses ... because that is EXACTLY what they are to you. The money that comes from the first enables you to get money from the second.

Any other attitude is mistaken.

If you disagree then you are at the tables for a different reason and are almost certainly a losing player anyway.

I don't know.....but then again I already knew that.

Chuck,
Try playing the dealer's hole card and listen to the comments. Especially an index read from the 4th or 5th seat, or a front load play from the last seat. Hitting a 15 when you know the dealer has a 6 card up and a 4 card in the hole!! I've had everybody including the dealer chime in.

The best solution is to NOT, I repeat NOT, never, ever let anyone know you are a knowledgeable player and, playing the way you do, you have an edge in the long run. Never!!

I've had good sucsess in the past by taking the offensive. If someone complains about my play (which includes spreading to two hands) I tell them, "Hey, I paid for my cards, I can play them anyway I want!! If you don't like it go someplace else and play!!" It usually shuts them up and at the same time chases them away from the table giving me better playing conditions. Yes!!

My 2 cents,

Zman

Did you realize John May's quote has more than 10 syllables (assuming you meant iambic pentameters in your title). Don's quote woefully fails to reach 5 metrical feet.

In fact, I think rude and obnoxious behavior can often be the final straw that broke the camel's back when casinos are evaluating a player, especially if that player is not a big bettor.

Under most circumstances I'd agree.
However, in a minority of cases, a well-trained pit boss, particulary a former counter, knows that the advantage player will do anything to avoid drawing attention to himself. He also knows that advantage players avoid displaying extreme emotion. Under such circumstances creating a scene is desireable.
This is an "expert play", much like the sub-optimal mathematical strategies high-stakes poker players use for psychological purposes, only adviseable when you have very specific knowledge of the game protection set-up.