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In blackjack, etiquette is as important as honing your skills and winning big at the table. After all, mutual respect and harmony among players contribute to a pleasant gaming atmosphere.
1. **Waiting or Asking Before Joining a Table**: It's impolite to disrupt a player who's on a hot streak by jumping in with a big bet. When approaching a table, it's courteous to inquire if it's a good time to join or to wait until the cards are shuffled. Recently, a reckless player was asked to wait for the shuffle, but he retorted, "The table isn't just yours!" Exiting without placing a bet is a better option than causing unnecessary tension.
2. **Avoiding Tables with High-Stakes Players**: If others are betting large sums, it's best for smaller bettors to find another table. Joining such a table with significantly lower bets might lead to resentment. For example, placing smaller bets while others wager thousands could lead to costly misunderstandings.
3. **Avoiding Tables with Card Counters**: Mixing with skilled card counters, whether high or low stakes, is discouraged.
4. **Avoiding Tables Where Card Counters are Not Welcome**: Some tables don't allow card counting. If you're not a card counter, it's best to steer clear of these tables.
5. **Not Cutting the Deck without Tracking**: If someone at the table is tracking, it's beneficial to let them cut the deck in your favor.
6. **Understanding the Rules Before Playing**: It's acceptable not to know advanced blackjack strategies, but understanding the basic rules is crucial. Playing slowly due to indecision not only hampers the flow of the game but also disrupts card counters. While it's not necessary to play perfectly, understanding the basics prevents unnecessary frustration among fellow players.
7. **Avoiding Asking Others for Playing Advice**: Card counters are particularly wary of questions from other players, especially if they're losing big.
8. **Avoiding Complaining About Others' Gameplay**: Criticizing others' gameplay can backfire, as they may be making the right moves based on their strategies.
9. **Recognizing Others' Decisions**: While it's tempting to criticize others' decisions, it's possible they have valid reasons for their choices, even if they seem unconventional. |
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