Jul 26, 2009

Odds and Ends

Some topics to set the stage for lively discussion this week before July turns to August - and that means NFL time!

1) I always learn something when I gamble. Don posted a message 3 weeks ago about Hollywood - I joined him on that trip and again on Saturday when our round of golf got rained out. Some notes:

- I'm beginning to doubt my "rule of 20" - come to the table with 20 x the minimum bet. So, on a $10 table, that's $200. However, $200 doesn't last long when you are playing the pass line with single odds, a $12 6 and 8, and a Ken Green look-alike is ice-cold in rolling the dice.

- The Horn High Ace-Deuce is sooo 2008. I am able to easily resist that temptation now. However, if someone next to me whispers "the field is on FIRE!!!!", well, I lose my willpower.

- What kind of shitty casino won't let you re-split aces???? Actual hand at Hollywood on a $15 table: I was dealt A-A against a 3. Yes, please, I will split!

Got an A on the first. I looked at the dealer. She said - "sorry", and then dealt me a 2 on the second ace. So I'm stuck with 12 and 13 , and when the dealer did not bust, I was furious.

2) Pop Quiz! I'm so out of practice that I had to consult Don's card on these hands. What do you do on:

a. A-8 vs 10
b. 9-9 vs 7
c. 2-2 vs 2
d. 5-3 vs 6
e. 6-4 vs 9
f. A-3 vs 3

3) Driving to work the other day, pull up behind a car in the other lane...I notice he has a Steeler sticker on his back window.

I mutter something about being an inbred illerate --- but there was another sticker on the other side. A Penguins sticker.

Well, at least he is consistent. Must like his women toothless too.

Then I check his license plate. It was a Pennsylvania plat.

"OK", I say. "Give him a break. He's a transplant and is true to his local roots. Can't fault him for that".

Then I check out his license plate frame.

"Major League Baseball" at the top.....

"New York Yankees" on the bottom.

What a complete douchebag fraud. Only thing worse woul dhave been a Boston Red Sox frame. No jury made up of any males would have me convicted if I rammed into the car.

4) Janice is starting to get addicted to "NYC Prep" on Bravo.

Really? Have we really run out of reality ideas that we have to go to a prep school now?

4 comments:

Sweet said...

Without looking at the card (confidence level)

a) hit (75%)
b) split (100%)
c) hit (50%)
d) hit (100%, unless your are aggressive, then double)
e) double (100%)
f) double (100%)

mer said...

Wow, Sweet needs to study. My answers were:

a) A-8 v 10 - Stand (60%)
b) 9-9 v 7 - Stand (90%)
c) 2-2 v 2 - Hit (75%)
d) 5-3 v 6 - Hit (100%, double if you're Layup)
e) 6-4 v 9 - Double (100%)
f) A-3 v 3 - Hit (75%)

The chart I consulted (after) had the 2's split but only if you can double afterward. I see the dealer 2 as dangerous but then I guess I'm just as dangerous with a 2.

My question is, you split the 2's draw a 10 for each of them, do you hit or stand vs. the 2?

Layup said...

Mer, you have me confused with Wiz and Lee. They were the idiots talking about putting as much money on the table as possible against a six.

And to answer your question, you would hit with both 2s against a dealer 2.

mer said...

Yeah, I remember Wiz doubling on crazy things like 6 v. 6. But, I thought you liked to double down with 8 vs. 6.

And, I would take the hit on both 12's after the splitting of 2's v. 2.