On last night's Gambling With An Edge Bob Dancer used "The person on 3rd base controls the fate of the blackjack table" as an example of popular misconceptions in gambling. This reminds me of a story.
Once upon a time the Fremont Street Commando walked into Jackrabbit Red's casino. He was looking to play some blackjack. It was just a little grind joint with just a few blackjack tables, but they dealt single deck with Vegas Rules.
The joint was busy, especially the pit. But the Commando seen a 3rd base seat open on one of the tables. He layed a hundred on the table. The dealer cracked it then started shuffling up. The Commando placed a $20 bet as he looked over the players at the table. Just a bunch of Vegas working stiffs he surmised.
The dealer winged the cards out. The other player's boards showed K, 2, 3, 6, 8. The Commando caught a Ten and a 2. The dealer showed a 4. The Commando used a simple plus/minus. The count was minus 3. Now the Commando is looking in case anyone flashes a hole card as they take a hit. No one flashed a card and everyone stood pat.
The Commando made the motion for a hit and the dealer peeled over a queen busting out his hand. The Commando pitched his cards over and went to place another bet. But then he heard....
"HEY!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOIN' HITTIN' A STIFF AGAINST A STIFF!!!" It was the guy on his right.
"What?" the Commando asked
"YOU JUST HIT A DAMN STIFF AGAINST A DEALER STIFF!!!" the man replied.
The dealer rolled his hole card over showing a Queen. Then he peeled off a 7 to make twenty-one. The table erupted as the dealer raked in the chips and cards. The Pit Boss had his back to the table but heard the commotion. He turned and looked.
"I STAYED ON A 12, YOU IDIOT!" the 4 seat yelled.
"JESUS CHRIST!! WHERE YOU FROM, ROOKIE?" said the 1 seat.
Through his peripheral the Commando seen a man in a suit standing back from the table but staring at him. It was the Pit Boss.
"Well, look guys. We ARE in Vegas. Gambling is allowed here isn't it?" replied the Commando.
"YOU TOOK THE DEALER'S BUST CARD, DUMMASS!!" the 2 seat said.
The dealer went to winging the cards but a hand shot in front of the Commando's chips.
"Deal him out!" the Pit Boss said. "Sir, may I have a word with you away from the table?"
"Sure" the Commando replied. They walked several feet away from the table.
"Look' the Pit Boss said. "It's all obvious to me. These people never seen anyone hit a 12 against a four before. But I have. I'm gonna have to ask you not to play. You're welcome to play anything else in the house, but not blackjack.
"Okay" the Commando said. "I'll just grab my chips."
He went back to the table, grabbed his chips, walked to the cage and cashed out. He passed back by the blackjact table on his way to the door and heard....
"Thanks for gettin' rid of the idiot."
"No problem" said the Pit Boss. "Don't worry folks. He won't be messing the game up any more."
"Some days I just can't make a friend in this town" the Commando said to himself as he walked out the door.
