How Can I Tell?

[magicspeller]

Okay, here's a really dumb question. When viewing a blackjack table in a casino, how can I determine what the rules are? Table maximum and minimum are easy to see, H17 seems to always be announced on the felt, and it always says that insurance pays 2 to 1. I'd like to know more before I play, especially things like whether the payoff is 3:2 or 6:5, and whether DAS is permitted.

Are the rules there and I'm just not seeing?

[tr3b]

As a new player in training yet to hit the casinos, also curious on these details. I know 3:2 or 6:5 should always be on the felt, along with S17 or H17, and insurance always pays even money (2:1). But DAS, RSA, etc... not sure, I assume you just have to ask the dealer?

[Jack Daniels]

The 3:2 thing I just lean over and ask the dealer. Save me from having to squint at the small print at the bottom of the 5" screen. The H17 if it's not on the felt it's probably not H17. The rest you can ask the dealer as He/She is preparing your chips. If I don't like the answers, I ask if there is a table nearby with different rules. If I don't like the answer, I take my chips to the cage.
I was at a table in Laughlin that posted a 10-dollar minimum 3:2 but will let you bet 5 dollars for a 6:5 Payoff on Blackjack.

[21forme]

Most venues are required to post the rules. Some are sneaky about it, having 6:5 written in very small text on the limit sign. Typically S17/H17 is on the felt (and often covered up by spread cards on an empty table). IMO, it's not a good idea to rattle off a bunch of questions about rules. it indicates you have a brain and casinos fown upon brain use.

[Dog Hand]

Most venues are required to post the rules. Some are sneaky about it, having 6:5 written in very small text on the limit sign. Typically S17/H17 is on the felt (and often covered up by spread cards on an empty table). IMO, it's not a good idea to rattle off a bunch of questions about rules. it indicates you have a brain and casinos fown upon brain use.

One casino I frequent uses the spread decks to conceal the BJ payout. They have about a 50/50 mix of blackjack and crapjack, with no rhyme or reason as to which are the real BJ tables.

Dog Hand

[TMJdoc]

As a new player in training yet to hit the casinos, also curious on these details. I know 3:2 or 6:5 should always be on the felt, along with S17 or H17, and insurance always pays even money (2:1). But DAS, RSA, etc... not sure, I assume you just have to ask the dealer?

If you see a dealer at an empty table, you can ask a couple of questions about the rules. These dealers are usually happy to answer a few questions. It's generally not a good idea to ask questions to a dealer on an active table if you're not playing at that table. As was stated in a previous post, try not to ask a bunch of questions typical of what a card counter would ask about.

[tr3b]

If you see a dealer at an empty table, you can ask a couple of questions about the rules. These dealers are usually happy to answer a few questions. It's generally not a good idea to ask questions to a dealer on an active table if you're not playing at that table. As was stated in a previous post, try not to ask a bunch of questions typical of what a card counter would ask about.

Good tips, thanks. And yeah, I figured sitting down at a table and immediately bombarding the dealer with "Can you resplit aces, double after split, or surrender at this table?" is not a good idea. I suppose looking over CBJN is a good starting point, while not always up-to-date in a lot of areas, I'd guess casinos don't change their rules that often?

[TMJdoc]

Correct - they don't change their rules very often. But it you are at a place for the first time and checked CBJN, you still should ask about the current rules.