Knowing where to sit at a blackjack table may be the difference between waiting for a seat at a packed table and getting stuck into a table with only a few players.
While sitting at a certain seat doesn’t have any mathematical advantage, for new players and card counters, certain seats are crucial for game play.
Where to Sit at a Blackjack Table. The Las Vegas Advisor recently posted a Question of the Day about the best seat at a blackjack table. As usual, they were right on in their response. If you are an LVA member, log in and search the QoD archives for Blackjack and you'll see it.
Blackjack table seating positions
Before we get stuck into where we should sit, we need to know what these positions are called in blackjack lingo. Each are termed according to their position and what advantages players have said they have sitting there. However, statistics prove all seats are equal for the basic strategy player, but they do have certain advantages and disadvantages associated even though they don’t have anything to do with the odds of the game.
- Where To Sit at the Table Most blackjack players think that the most important position at the table is the one that’s last to act. At a full table, that’s the seat farthest left as you face the dealer, or the “third base” position.
- Nov 26, 2019 Do make a point of learning the rules playing blackjack before you sit at the table. From the surface, blackjack looks and feels like a very simple game. Indeed it is, but you’ll realize that it is a bit complex the more you dig in. In other words, there’s more to playing blackjack than trying to get your hand as close to 21 as possible.
While blackjack tables at brick and mortar casinos can feature up to six or seven players, only three positions are prominently named with two of them discussed more so than the other. Additionally, blackjack tables aren’t always full so these seats may not always be taken.
Blackjack first base – The first seat on the far right facing the dealer is known as the first base position. This is because cards are dealt by the dealer to this position first from the dealer’s left player to right player and this first base positioned player will get the cards first, as well as being in the position that enables them to be the first to hit, stand, split, double down, or surrender on their hand.
Blackjack third base – While many blackjack players mistakenly think third base is the third or middle seat, they’ll find they are incorrect. The third-base position is actually the last seat from the right or the first seat on the left. This position is sometimes referred to as the anchor and sees the player receiving the first two cards dealt by the dealer last, as well as being the last player to decide and act on what they want to do with their hand.
Shortstop position – This one isn’t as commonly mentioned as the two above as it doesn’t come with as much responsibility, which we will discuss below. This seat is located in the middle of the table and can actually prevent other players to the left of them from joining the table.
Which is the best seat at a blackjack table?
Statistically, it doesn’t really matter where you sit, unless you plan to count cards. Many state third base is the best seat, while we recommend it as the worst seat for the new blackjack kids on the block. It has been suggested that the third base seat has the advantage of whether or not the table as a whole wins or loses, however this is not mathematically correct.
This theory has come about because the third base player performs their action just before the dealer. If this player who sits at third base hits instead of stays when basic strategy recommends them to do so, this can see players blaming the third base player if the table loses. This is exactly why players who are new and do not know how to play basic strategy should not sit at third base, as it could result them having a negative experience and being mistakenly blamed for the tables loss, despite the theory not being mathematically correct.
Similarly regarded is the first base position which not only offers the entire view of the table, but the discarded pile as well meaning you can keep an eye on what cards have been drawn and what cards haven’t. However, this position is second in line to receiving glares from other players if they lose – so be prepared for the responsibility.
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The shortstop position, on the other hand, gives a good view of the table. But it’s not as good as first or third, but is said to stop players from sitting at third base if the seat is open, meaning less players and more chances to put on an extra bet.
Depending on the amount of players, other seat positions aren’t usually mentioned. However if you want to view other players and their moves, fourth position (to the left of the shortstop position) offers a view of the entire table. Although statistically speaking other player’s moves do not affect your gameplay as they can ultimately both hurt and help your hand, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on players who are on a winning streak. You may be able to pick up some handy strategy hints this way.
Additionally, if you do not like the responsibility of being dealt the first and last cards of a hand we recommend to sit in the second or fourth seats depending on how many players there are at the table. If there is only the third or first base position available when you join the table remember that statistically it doesn’t affect the table’s odds at all so try to enjoy the experience.
How to pick a good blackjack table
At land-based casinos you will find there are multiple blackjack tables available to join, some fuller than others. With so many available it can be hard to know what to look for in order to pick a good table. We have made it a lot easier for both new and experienced players when it comes to picking a good blackjack table.
Betting limits – Keep an eye out for the minimum and maximum table limits which are displayed on the signs next to the table. For experienced gamblers, keeping an eye out for land-based casinos which colour code their signs can make it easier and quicker to pick and choose where you sit. For example, red equals a $5 minimum bet, while black equals a $100 minimum bet – corresponding to the colour of chips, making this easier to remember. The best way to figure out your betting limit is to set a bankroll and divide by 20. For example, if you have set yourself a $100 bank roll, then you should play at a table with a minimum betting limit of $5.
Blackjack dealers – Blackjack dealers can effect your overall experience whether you are a new blackjack player or a professional. We recommend standing back and watching the dealers to see how fast they deal, see if they provide help (important if you are a new player) or see if they let you know how much you have in a hand as they are dealt. These features will ultimately come down to what you want in a blackjack dealer as an experience player doesn’t want to be told basic tips, while a new player does.
Seating positions – Although we did say all seats at a blackjack table are considered mathematically equal, in terms of players it can be different. As we recommended standing back from the table with blackjack dealers, we recommend doing this if there are a few players seated so you can monitor their behaviour. If you notice a few players eyeing off the third base player after a loss it might be better to find a new table. If you are an experienced blackjack player however and you plan to count cards, the seating position is said to be incredibly important.
Best seat for blackjack card counters
Card counters actually have an advantage when it comes to the seating position. These players are recommended to sit in the third base position to give them more time to keep an eye on the table, as well as count, and of course bet last.
Card counters also have the same perception for first base. Additionally, these seats are recommended to avoid being detected as you have the vantage point of viewing the whole table without having to movie your head.
Unfortunately for card counters, they can’t do so online and really the entire concept of seating positions in blackjack goes out the window when we play blackjack on the Internet, but there is one exception.
Online blackjack seating positions
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This is where new players are best suited. If you are new to the game and seem to always end up sitting at the third base position only to receive horrible stares that make you want to opt out it might be best to go online until you are confident to play at a land-based casino.
However, there is an exception when playing online and this involves the live dealer blackjack variants. When you sign up for an online casino, we recommend doing so at our suggested online casinos due to their reputation, and make a deposit you can access the live dealer lobby where you will see blackjack as an available variant.
Here, you are able to pick the seat which you would like to sit at, provided the table isn’t full. This can give you the experience of picking a seat, and if the chat function is available you will be able to read players reactions as to where you are sitting. Any vulgar or inappropriate content is not tolerated at our recommended online casinos so it is the perfect place to practice sitting at third base.
15 rules and rituals they don’t teach you in the books
by Rob Wiser
I remember my first visit to Atlantic City, many years ago. It was on the Boardwalk that I stepped inside a casino for the first time, packing a pocketful of cash with visions of beating the house.
Blackjack was the game I wanted to play. I’d read about it in books and understood the basics, but, as I witnessed an actual game in progress, I grew nervous. Beyond the rules of play—hitting, standing, doubling down—the game seemed to have a set of silent rules and rituals that the books didn’t explain. The strange hand motions, the prohibition on touching the cards, the process of exchanging cash for chips…I was afraid that if I sat down and fumbled any of these unwritten laws, I would interrupt the flow of the game and look like a fool.
Too intimidated to sit down and play, I wound up sticking with the slot machines. It wasn’t until I moved to Las Vegas that I learned the etiquette of casino gambling. I also realized that a large number of players avoid the blackjack tables—which can be your best bet in the casino—because of the intimidation factor. So with this in mind, let’s run down some of the basics of gambling etiquette so you can play with the confidence of a pro.
Bear in mind, if you do accidentally break one of these rules, no one is going to scold you or kick you out of the casino. The dealer will simply remind you of the proper way to play.
1. Don’t hand your money to the dealer.
The overhead casino security cameras must be able to see all cash transactions. This is why you’re required to lay your cash down on the surface of the table. The dealer will spread out the money and count it so the cameras can see, then slide you their equivalent in chips. If you’re sitting down at a game in progress, wait until the current hand is completed before you lay your money down.
2. Don’t hold your cards with two hands.
In blackjack games where the cards are “pitched” to you and dealt face down (usually single- and two-deck games), you must pick the cards up with one hand, not with both. This rule is designed to prevent players from tampering with—or switching—their cards.
3. Never remove your cards from the table.
Your cards must always be in full view of the security cameras and the dealer. (Don’t, for example, hold them down by your lap.) Also…
4. Never touch your chips once the cards are being dealt.
Once you’ve placed your bet and the dealer begins to deal the cards, you are not allowed to touch your chips until the hand is played out. If you win or tie the hand, you are free to collect your chips or change your bet. If the dealer wins, he’s going to take your chips. Just remember, once the cards start being dealt, you cannot touch your wager until your hand is played out. (This prevents cheaters from changing their bet while the cards are in play.)
5. When the cards are dealt face up, don’t touch them.
In games that use four or more decks of cards, your cards are dealt face up. There is no reason for you to pick up or handle the cards, so just leave them alone. Which brings us to our next rule…
6. Signal your decision, don’t say it.
Again, for the security cameras, you must use hand signals to indicate to the dealer whether you want to hit or stand. Saying “hit” or “stand” isn’t enough. They need to see you make the signal. The dealer will show you the required signal if you’re new to the game. Or, just watch a hand as it’s being played out. A hit is a simple gesture that looks like “come here.” If you don’t want a hit, simply wave your hand, palm down, over your cards. To split or double down, place the required number of chips next to your original bet, and the dealer will do the rest. It’s intuitive.
7. It’s perfectly fine to ask the dealer’s advice.
Most dealers will be happy to tell you the mathematically correct play to make if you are unsure. The dealer’s job is not to beat you and relieve you of your money. His job is to run the game in a professional manner. Good dealers root for the players to win, since winners are much more likely to tip. Which brings us to the next point…
8. Don’t be stingy with tips.
There aren’t any set guidelines on how much or how often to tip your dealer. Just remember that dealers get paid a minimal hourly wage and live on tips. Contrary to popular belief, they derive no pleasure from seeing you lose (unless you’re being an obnoxious jerk). They don’t get a percentage of your losses. The dealer would much rather see you do well, enjoy yourself, and share the wealth a little. Once in a while (especially after winning a few hands in a row), tip the dealer the equivalent of your minimum bet—or more, if you’re feeling generous. You can simply slide a chip toward the dealer and say, “Here you go” or, “This is for you.” You can also place a bet for the dealer in front of your regular bet. This way, if you win the hand, the dealer wins the bet as well; a $5 tip becomes a much-appreciated $10 tip.
Realistically, if you’re getting your butt kicked, you’re not going to be inclined to tip the dealer who is wiping you out. This is understandable. But if you’re playing for an extended period of time, tip when you win a couple of hands or score a blackjack. It’s not required, but it does create a more pleasant playing environment (and may improve your blackjack karma).
Sit At The Table Song
9. Stack your chips correctly.
When you make a wager that includes two or more different denomination chips (for example, a $25 chip and two $5 chips), always place the higher denomination chip on the bottom of the stack and the lower ones on top. Otherwise, the dealer is going to have to stop and re-arrange them for you before he starts dealing the cards. It’s OK if you forget to do this once or twice, but some people can be downright annoying about it.
10. Don’t tell your fellow players how to play.
If the guy sitting next to you asks for your advice, feel free to tell him what you think. But it’s pretty bad form to tell other players what you think if they don’t ask. Sometimes you’ll find yourself playing alongside people who have no idea what they’re doing or make boneheaded decisions, such as splitting 10s. Resist the urge to groan. If it bothers you, either move to another table or remind yourself that the skill levels of your fellow players has no bearing on whether you ultimately win or lose. When the guy next to you keeps making dumb plays, it may seem like he’s “stealing” the cards you need and screwing up your hands, but in reality there’s just as good a chance that his bad plays will wind up helping you.
11. Cut the deck properly.
In six-deck games, after the dealer has finished shuffling the cards, he will ask one of the players to “cut” the deck. Insert the “cut card” at least a half-deck from either end of the stack. (In other words, aim near the middle of the deck.) If you try to cut the deck too close from either end, the dealer will ask you to cut it again, which holds the game up.
12. Check before you try to bet in the middle of a shoe.
Some casinos forbid you from sitting down and placing a wager when the game is midway through the shoe; you’re supposed to wait until the entire shoe is played out before you join the action. Check to see if the table has a sign that says, “No Mid-Shoe Entry.” If it does, and the shoe is in progress, you can go ahead and sit down, but don’t try to wager until the shoe is finished and the dealer starts reshuffling.
Finally, here are three more principles that might not fall under the category of “etiquette,” but they distinguish seasoned players from suckers:
13. Use basic strategy.
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In blackjack, there is a mathematically correct way to play every possible hand. This playing strategy is readily available in books, on the Internet, and on strategy cards, which you can take with you when you play. (They are legal to use in a casino). Watch experts play blackjack, and very rarely will you see them pause to contemplate a move—it’s an automatic response. Memorize basic strategy, and you eliminate the guesswork. Occasionally, you might be tempted to deviate from it, and hit or stand because you’ve got a hunch, but basic strategy teaches the mathematically correct play in every situation. Hit that 16 against the dealer’s 10, as much as it may scare you, and, more often than not, you will win the hand.
14. Never play 6:5 games.
Veteran blackjack players despise this sneaky rule change that some casinos have instituted. Instead of paying the traditional 3:2 on untied blackjacks (when your first two cards total 21), you get paid 6:5. This means, on a $10 bet, you’d receive $12 instead of $15. This might not sound like a major difference, but it is. On average, you’ll receive a blackjack about four times per hour, and the diminished payout will cut significantly into your odds of walking away with a profit. The traditional 3:2 payout is one of the rules that make the game fair for players. You really shouldn’t play otherwise.
15. Avoid games that use a Continuous Shuffling Machine (CSM).
A “CSM” is a device that randomly shuffles the discards after every round has been played. This eliminates the need to reshuffle, which makes the game play much faster—about 20 percent more hands per hour. Since the math is on the casino’s side, this means that, in theory, you’ll lose 20 percent faster per hour. If you want to enjoy a good, long session at the table, avoid games where your hands-played-per-hour is going to be much higher than normal. This includes games with CSMs and/or extremely fast dealers. Instead, for a reasonably paced game, look at who’s playing. The more players sitting at your table, the slower the pace will be.