Unwanted attention from ploppies...

[counter19]

I realize that the average blackjack player hasn't a clue. I realize that they are fully saturated with confirmation bias and I can not even explain that concept to them as I do not want to appear to be intelligent. I realize that they are funding our winnings and we wouldn't be able to play without them. I get all that.

BUT….

They slow the game down like crazy. They play the side bets, the whole lot of them. They split tens when the count happens to be hot and take away the potential count (yes I know they eat up the low cards when the situation is flipped). But the worst thing is when I make a play that a typical ploppy doesn't. If I hit A7 against a 10 or I hit 12 against a 4 when the count is negative, they sometimes make a fuss out of it. Now don't get me wrong. I don't give a popcorn fart what some butt dumpling thinks of me and my playing. But I DO mind when they bring attention to me.
One night, I was doing my usual thing. The count got very high towards the end of the 6-deck shoe and I placed a big bet. I was at first base and some butt monkey at third base said something like "man, you counting them cards? You should come count them for me over here!" Luckily, I didn't miss a beat and proceeded to interrupt him while pretending to be drunk saying some slurpy-slur like "dude, I was like a needing that! I just lost the last 4 hands! (which was true, I did lose the previous 4)." The pit boss wasn't around and I spoke louder than him in order to drown him out while he was saying the sensitive phrase "counting cards (twice)!" I just had a feeling he was going to draw attention to me so most of that sentence was drowned out by me speaking even louder.

TL;DR Do any of you all ever find that ploppies draw unwanted attention to you because of play that THEY don't approve of? If so, what do you do or (if anything) to defuse a situation like this?

[mofungoo]

I tell them that I'm new at this and I don't know what I'm doing.

[RS]

If you make an unusual hit (12v6 for example) and they make a fuss, just say, "I didn't think I could win with 12" or "my gut feeling said hit it, always trust your gut". And if they get real mad, you can simply apologize. If you took the card that woulda busted the dealer, say, "sorry guys I f#cked up that was my fault".

It also helps if you're friendly with the dealer and/or pit boss (although getting too friendly can be bad because its easier for them to remember you). If everyone's getting mad at you, the dealer/PB might be on your side. (PS: If players are getting nasty at you, chances are they have poor attitudes and are already unliked by the dealer/boss.)

Be nice and courteous , engage with other players dealers and bosses with casual conversation. Being nice and polite will get you a lot further they you may think. (It's hard for others to get mad at you when you've been talking to them and joking around--if they like you, its hard for them to get mad at you.)

[21forme]

There are other players at the table?

[hitthat16]

^ Classic.

[KJ]

I have had concerns with this very issue for a while now. Every time the topic comes up, Norm or 21forme, chimes in with "there are other players at the table?", comment. And I understand that sentiment. I do not care what other players think of me or any play that I make. But it is an issue when other players create even a little bit of attention over some play. And it doesn't have to be much. Just enough that one of the pit guys wanders over to see what is going on. That is an attention-getting negative for me.

Just to be clear, I am talking about things like splitting 10's. But that is the extreme. Even more routine plays like doubling 8 vs 4,5,6 that goes against the 'ploppie' nation is a problem. Plays like doubling soft 19 vs 6, which is basic strategy for most games that I play, but that always draws some sort of comment and attention. There is always some kind of comment or talk about what would have happened if I hadn't done so (especially when it doesn't work) and while I don't care what these people say or think, if it draws the attention of someone in the pit, even casually, that is a bad thing for me. Just another reason, why I like to play alone.

[muffdiver]

KJ,
No disagreement with what you said. I make a few exceptions regarding possible rapport with other players though. I feel that it's a big plus for me to have the appearance of being friends with high rolling ploppies that the casino fervently solicits AND sees as clientele that shouldn't be lost for any reason.

[SiMi]

KJ

FWIW, I completely agree with your comment and, if there ARE other players at the table, I make some effort to blend in and be likable to avoid the commenting on my play. Anyone drawing attention to my play is NOT good. On the other side of carping about my play, I've had a few times where, after I DD on something like A8 vs. 6 and win, a typical, unskilled player has said something like, "I KNEW you were a professional the minute you sat down." I really don't want that kind of "compliment."

The latter has happened a few times and I've always tried to defuse it with something "sincerely" self-deprecating, but it's awkward as hell...

[21forme]

"I KNEW you were a professional the minute you sat down."

Answer that one with, "How could you tell I am a (doctor, lawyer, dentist...)?"

[DM21]

Ploppies will only complain if your actions end with their loss. If you take the card that would have made the dealer's hand then you just became the table hero. I handle those situations depending on the mood of the table. If it is quiet and there are just a few groans or back handed comments I will just ignore them. If it is a festive table I will defuse it by jokingly say "If I knew that was going to happen I wouldn't have done it" and laugh it off with some light apology. If the complaining is unbearable and continues I will sharply tell them that "It is my money and I will play my hand how I want" with some solid eye contact. The last way to handle it is my least preferred but it the most effective. They will usually not complain again if they don't leave shortly after which is a win/win.

DM

[Three]

There are other players at the table?

Sit down and start doing some unusual moves and most will leave. Then when the big count comes you are alone. When they say don't hit and take the dealer bust card, I tell them I only take a card when I think it is the make the dealers hand card. I think the dealer had a 5 under his 6 so I hit to take the ten. If it is a 5-9 it makes my 12 or the dealers hand. I would rather it make my hand. That covers 8 of the 13 ranks. I have to hit. How can I not hit? They get so crazy they leave for other tables. I am pretty good at profiling the ones that will move.

[bigplayer]

There are other players at the table?

Yep. Sometimes you can't help it, but you should keep in mind that other players hurt you much more in positive counts than they help you by eating cards in negative counts. It's not just speed, but eating up very valuable positive rounds that you've already paid the tax to see.

[Jabberwocky]

I've been saying the same thing for years but no one would believe me.