Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Going to Las vegas the first part of Feb. Which houses offer the best cut on multiple decks Etc.
Thanks Gary
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

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Dear Gary,

I’m not sure what you mean by cut? If you mean decent penetration (which is the number of cards played before the dealer reshuffles) I’d recommend Casino Royal, Bellagio, Flamingo Hitlon, Imperial Palace, Lady Luck and Mirage.

Regards,

Henry

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Dear Henry,

What is more favoravle for a player: when a dealer hits on soft 17 or when he stands on soft 17?

Regards, Sergei
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Dear Sergei,

It’s more favorable for a player if the dealer stands on soft 17 rather than hit.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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In a blackjack book i have read it states that perfect basic strategy (on a table where you cant double on a soft hand) when you have soft 18 is to stand on dealers 2,7,8,A, else hit. But the strategy on your site recommends otherwise. Which is the correct strategy?
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Dear Jamie,

The correct strategy if you have soft 18 and can’t double is to hit against the dealer’s 9, 10, and ace and stand on all other dealer upcards.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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If the dealer has a bust card up and the rest of the table stands, should the last person at the table take a card to save the table even if it causes that player to bust?
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dear Dave,

No. No. No. The last player should play his hand strictly according to the basic strategy rules. If he has a stiff hand against a dealer’s bust card he should stand. It’s a player’s misconception that the third base player should sacrifice his hand for the benefit of other players. Unless you are card counting you don’t have a clue what the next card out of the shoe will be so you should play the percentages and follow the basic strategy.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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I have a friend who has a strategy. He will bet $5. If he loses, he will bet twice that amount +$5. ($15)
If he loses again, he will bet $30 + $5.
He will continue this process content to make his $5 and then start over. Have you ever used this strategy? I would imagine the odds of losing more than 7 or 8 times in a row are quite slim.
Do you like this strategy?
Thanks
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dera Jim,

I have never used this strategy because it is a losing strategy. It’s nothing more than a Martingale betting system which will spell disaster for any player using it.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin

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Dear BJInsider.com Expert Guide,

The following question was asked by

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Easy question. When playing blackjack in a casino are the odds of winning in the dealer or player's favour.
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Best regards,
The "Ask the Pro" Staff

Dear Alan,

The odds are in the dealer’s favor. If you exclude hands that ties, the dealer stands to win 52.5% of the hands and the player 47.5%.

Regards,

Henry Tamburin