Electronic Blackjack - hit after doubling down.

[kewlJ]

Can't you imagine this indecisive twit at the tables, putting one hand up to his face, the other propped against his side, and declaring in his high pitched whiny voice, "Well I just don't KNOWW if I should hit or stay?"

You are damn straight I do! The single thing that will shorten a winning players time at the tables (longevity) is to play like he knows what he is doing. To make all the correct plays and be certain about each one. Who are you trying to impress? The pit guy who has the power to limit your play? Don't answer that fool...it is another rhetorical question.

Most real winning blackjack players use cover and cover plays to extend longevity. The exception is the "slash and burners" who want every cent of advantage for whatever amount of play they can get in and then they are done with that location. But their careers and longevity are short.

There is a wide range of cover techniques that can make a huge difference in longevity. They range from intentionally making the wrong play, which comes at a cost to just how the players acts. Himming and hauling slightly during certain plays has great value at absolutely zero cost.

While I always know exactly what I want to do with each hand, I will play the part. I will even take it a step further and involve the pit critter in my decision if he happens to be watching or lurking around. Take a play that is marginal. Like hitting standing 16 vs 10, a very common hand. By count, you should hit at 0 and below and stand on anything above 0. (talking running counts here) That is what most counters do. And if you play it incorrectly at a low count of zero, +1, -1, even +/-2, the cost is only pennies. So you can ask the pit guy what he would do and which ever way he suggests, you play. If he suggests the wrong way, it has almost no cost. But it impresses upon him 10 fold, that you don't know or aren't sure.

Other times I will involve the pit guy without asking his opinion. Take a 12 vs 2 at a true count of +4. Basic strategy is to hit 12 vs 2, 3. At higher plus counts (+3 and +2 respectively), the optimal play is to stand. So at a TC +4, I know I want to stand. So you delay for just a second. Look at the pit critter and say something like "I know the book says to hit this, but I always lose, so I am standing". The result is that you look uncertain. You have given a stupid voodoo type reason for your play and you have still made the correct play. ZERO cost to that cover. These impressions add up.

Bottom line is there is a whole bunch of little things like this a player can do that will improve longevity at absolutely no cost. And there are even some low cost plays, where you are making the wrong play, that even though there is a small cost, only cost a fraction of a penny to a penny for $100 worth of wagers. THAT is the kind of cover you want. Not making the wrong play that has a significant cost.

But an expert life long winning player like you surely knew that. Or apparently NOT!