I play in an Indian Casino where they have side bets at the BJ table.
I don't play them but lots of players do.
Twice within the last month another player throws me a chip and
tells me to play the side bet by my betting square for him [he has already put a chip on his side bet spot]
I tell him "NO" and yesterday it turned the atmosphere at the table sour.
Should I play it for him? [I just don't like to mix up other peoples chips with mine]
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Originally Posted by Sage
Whether he gives you some percentage of his wins, to me, is immaterial. For sure, it slows down the game further, but you're already playing at the slow table (with side-bets).
If it does NOT hurt your game, "play nice with the other kids!". They will be more tolerant of your BS deviations, point out dealer errors going against you, remain quiet on errors going for you, probably vouch for you in case of a player-dealer disagreement, etc
It's a little like when you toke the dealer (infrequently) to get her on your side.
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Last edited by Math Demon; 08-04-2013 at 07:20 AM. Reason: added "NOT"
I jokingly announce that I have the space for rent, that the original bet is mine if they win, that basically, they get 1-8 instead of 1-9 odds. I had one guy who opted to quit playing his Bj stand by me and play the poker side bet. He won a few times and I must have gotten $100 in the time he stood by.
Would one give up the main game just to play side bet? i think it's worth while but the variance is bigger than Bj . Is it worth it? Almost all the other players bet on these side bets so maybe I should play them to take advantage what is already a slow game.For those that know which side bets are worth doing this for, should i join the bandwagon?
I don't know which side bet(s) you're referring to, but you'll likely have to have a good sized spread on the side bet to beat it, let alone to come out ahead due to the -EV of playing normal BS BJ. Most side bets that are beatable have two upper limits, one is that it can't be more than your BJ hand and the other is that it can't be above some number X (ie, LL is usually $1-25 and can't be more than normal BJ bet). I've never seen an O/U side bet, but I assume that has similar limits.....not to mention, the beatable ones can also "make you", if you're playing them properly.
I let players bet on my side bet, as long as it doesn't take too much time from the game. I will also jokingly ask for a small cut (ie, when giving money to the play, say something like, "30 for you, 1 for me?"), but if they want it all, that's fine too.
"Everyone wants to be rich, but nobody wants to work for it." -Ryan Howard [The Office]
It hasn't happened that often, but when a player asks about using my spot for the side bet, I always agree. The game has already slowed down due to their own side bets, so it doesn't seem to hurt much more. Accepting the arrangement generates a good social atmosphere, and the extra conversation and high fiving, fist bumps, etc. make me look less like I could be counting. Seems like the pit would be more likely to tolerate my play. And sometimes the ladies offer up a cut of the winnings!
I usually say OK but only when you feel lucky. That way they play it sometimes, so it generates good will at the table but they don't do it so often as to slow the game down. I have gotten tips for large payouts, always unsolicited. Some good advice on this question.
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