Greetings.

Just got back from my first Indian Casino BJ Tourney. In short, 84 people, 7 per table with 4 tables per round. There were 3 rounds.

SHORT LIST RULES-
$500 in chips
$10 - $500 Min/Max
20 Rounds
7 players per table

After the first ROUND (84 players, 7 players per table), I came in 2nd place but my chip count got me into the second ROUND. Lucky for me, I got to watch 48 people before and know exactly how much I might need to advance.

Going into the second round, there were 21 players at 3 tables. I had the GREATEST oportunity to bet last, which in this case, I was BR*. So, lets just say I bet enough so the guy would not win, even on a natural. I was tempted to bet smaller and DD if he did get a Blackjack but decided against. Oh ya, I got a natural on that last hand and ended up being the CHIP LEADER for the entire ROUND TWO (2).

In the Championship Round, we had seven players and a pretty sizeable audience. It felt terrific. My big play came on hand 10 of 20 where I went for BR* with $125 because BR* and BR1 only bet $25 each. The play went like this:
ME: 8,8
DEALER: 8

My play: Split
Hand I: 8,3 so I DD. Dealer gives me the ALMIGHY 2.
Hand II: 8,A. I stay

Dealer turns over a 10. This could have been big for me if I nailed it. BR* was betting modestly.

CONCLUSION-

Well, going into Hand 18, I was $400 off of BR* and $300 off of BR1. My chice came down to the hope that I would have a chance to split anything good versus the dealer or receive the natural. On Hand 19, I lost with a 19 against the dealer 20 but BR* and BR1 won with their 21 which the got in my amazement (5 cards to 21 and 6 cards to 21).

This was my second tourney. My first I came in 2nd place out of 32 people and now 4th out of 84 people. The Indian Casino was way too smokey and the dealer stunk. I can recall three instances where the dealers totally screwed up taking money when people pushed and one time they took my money where I won.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE DEALERS!

Thanks again for this SITE! I know the feedback I'll receive versus Wong's site with me completely different.

TJ