Dear Mark,
When playing blackjack, it seems like all casinos
nowadays check if the dealer has blackjack with an ace showing, before any
additional cards are dealt to the players. If the dealer does check, and
he does not have blackjack, is it a good bet to double an 11 (say an 8+3)?
All basic strategy cards that I have seen suggest to Hit. But, I am
inclined to double down. Would you agree? Darrell L.
Not all strategy cards do, Darrell. Experts have gone both ways on this
question, whether to double down with an 11 against an ace. With no
clear-cut unanimity, you have to make up your own mind as to just how
expert the experts are.
As to whether you should double down once you know that the dealer does
not have a blackjack, I say YES. Granted, a dealer ace versus the
player's 11 is cause for considerable disagreement among masters of
blackjack, But think: when the dealer checks early and continues play, you know
there's no to beneath the ace. We can predict the experts' royal debate
will rage on over an 11 versus the dealer's ace ... MINUS THE PEEK; BUT
WITH THE PEEK, the consensus would be to double down knowing there's no
lurking snapper.
Dear Mark,
I would like to take a moment to write to you and
respond to your article; "Baccarat has roots in blonde virgin tale. Even
though it was well-written, I did take great offense at your mention of
"How many wet, blonde virgins do you know?" As a teacher, and a mother
of two daughters, I felt this was an inappropriate and disgusting remark
for all women whether they are blonde or not. For an extremely gifted
writer, you showed a side that was extremely sexist. Concetta C.
Thank you, Concetta, for your reflective correspondence. Allow me,
without malice, to reprint what I wrote.
"The game's (Baccarat) roots are in the old Etruscan ritual of the
nine gods, who prayed to a blonde virgin (a tourist, obviously) on their
tiptoes, waiting for her to pitch the nine-sided die. The die toss
decided her fate. If an eight or a nine were thrown, she would become
the priestess; if she threw a six or seven, she would be banned from any
further religious activities; if she threw any number less than six, she
would walk into the sea." "(Possibly, the origin of loaded dice - how
many wet, blonde virgins do you know?)"
Though you didn't initially see the quiet point I slipped in, as a poke
in the belly of the moron who loves dumb blonde jokes, (and, Concetta,
I'll try to do better), I hope you understand that I was making a
humorous sally in defense of the blonde — she was tossed the underside of
a five-to-four bet, which she handily won by being smarter than the
tippy-toe clunks that thought they had dominion over her. However she
did it, she did it, and she did not wind up in the drink.
I didn't go quite so far as to point out plainly that the Mediterranean
guys (Etruscans) were picking on a female not of their coloring - double
duty discrimination; I limited myself to the tourist comment.
Meandering a bit here, it might be instructive fun at school or at home
to see if the kids can turn jokes or legends that rest on hurtful
cliches around so that they bite their own rumps. That is the waggish
intent of this columnist; poke a little fun at us gamesters, and of
course, take an occasional jab at an ill-humored casino proprietor.
Because you, and possibly others, interpreted my words to be
inappropriate and sexist, I truly apologize. Again, I will try to do
better!
Gambling quote of the week: "Playing games where the casino
has a big edge is an expensive hobby. But lets be real, many of you are
going to play anyway." Frank Scoblete
