I purchased KW's book and started playing SP21 here and there quite a bit over the last few months. Every time I play there is a new episode worthy of a highlight tape . . .

Match the Dealer: Almost never play it. The woman who noticed that I had a perfect match twice in a row with no bet moved tables because, "You're messing me up" by not playing it . . .

Rules Discussion: Rules on the felt and rules card warn that bonuses do not apply after a double, but splits are not mentioned. Dispute developed for another player with 6-7-8 on a split. Huge confab with multiple levels of pit people. I argued to several that there is no rule barring bonuses on a split (or it would be on the felt or the rules card). Eventually senior pit boss agreed and ordered dealer to pay the bonus.

One More Ploppy: On the hand following the above I hit 13 v. 5 on a neutral count, bust, guy next to me, playing low black, jumps me, argues for standing and says I messed up the flow of cards. Pal, I know the rules better than (most) of the pit people . . . do you think maybe my play is also correct?

This One Was My Fault: Playing third base I split a pair of deuces against a 5 in a rising count, draw several small cards to 13, hit and bust. Draw another 2, split, draw more small cards to a five card 21. On the third 2, more small cards and this time stand on 13 against the 5 because the TC has crossed the index. Dealer flips a K and draws (what would have been my) 6 for 21. Ploppies boo and pretty much leave the table, one saying , "If you just play consistently every time, you'll win more than you lose."

Early Surrender: Playing heads up I have a 2 card 17 against A. I say surrender. Dealer hesitates, then calls pit guy over to ask if I can surrender before he peeks at the hole card. I hold my breath. Pit guy does not know the answer. "It should be OK without checking," I argue, "That's why it's called 'surrender.'" Pit guy drags out a sheet of instructions and finds the correct play. Too bad. Anyway, the same dealer later pays me a 9 unit bet on my 14 against his 20. I guess it worked out OK.

Playing Too Many Hands: The casinos seem to have made up a rule that you cannot play more than two hands. Crazy.

The BS Player: I have come across only one other player who knows BS. He is loudly trying to educate the whole table, telling the others that they just don't understand the math of the game. And he is flat betting . . .

There could be more but this post is too long as it is. And I didn't even touch the subject of certain ethnicities' playing quirks . . .