Chicago Sun-Times: Nothing underhanded about pit boss dealing the cards

Q.In my short years playing blackjack, I have never seen a pit boss come over and deal a hand until last year. I was playing with my family on a low-risk table ($5 minimum) when, after about 40 minutes, the female dealer at our table motioned to the pit boss, talked to him for a second, then finished her hand. She spread out the cards, thanked us and left urgently. The pit boss she talked to stepped up and started to deal. Another pit boss watched his shuffling from the pit area.You have to believe me that we were a little nervous and wondering what was going on. The pit boss was extremely friendly while he dealt the cards, joking with us, etc. After several sets of cards, a different female dealer came back.

My question to you is, what would cause a pit boss to come over and do such a thing? We are all amateurs when it comes to playing 21, and we were not cheating.

Aaron S.

A. And neither was the pit boss, Aaron. There was absolutely, positively no cheatin' going on. No need to be so suspicious. When a dealer comes off the game and is replaced by a pit boss, most likely Mother Nature's cell phone just rang; or, possibly, the dealer had called in sick on a busy weekend and needed a tongue lashing; or maybe there was an emergency at the dealer's home [they all have homes, these days]; or the sexist jokes she's hearing on the game are so god-awful that she needs to upchuck the batch. Besides, once you become a floor supervisor, you lose your dexterity for dealing seconds or off the bottom of the deck.Ya know I'm jiving you, Aaron, right?

Q. When I play Deuces Wild on my computer, if I draw two pairs (for example 9s and 4s), the tutorial on the software tells me to discard one of the pairs and draw three. This does not seem to be a good idea. Could I have your opinion on this, please?

Jack C.

A. Add Yours Truly to the vast coalition of gaming experts (and I've read 'em all) who will firmly tell you that holding two pairs is a misguided move that deviates from perfect basic strategy.

Why? The essential thing to remember when playing Deuces Wild video poker is that the four 2s (deuces) in the deck are not just wild; they're savage and can be substituted for any other card, for any rank, in any suit. So, you never, ever discard a deuce. Because you have a fair chance at these four savages to help make up winning combinations, the lowest payout in Deuces Wild is for three of a kind. Unlike a Jacks-or-Better machine, two pairs in Deuces Wild gets you nothing.

One of the more notable player errors in Deuces Wild is the sticky unwillingness to throw away one of the two pairs. This is an important strategy, in that you want to make room for those additional cards that could include a deuce or two.

So, Jack, never keep two pairs in Deuces Wild video. Select one or the other (rank doesn't matter). Keeping that single pair gives you a better expected outcome, and three of a kind, the minimum scheduled payout, ain't all that bad.

Q. Do you get more blackjacks on a single- or multiple-deck game?

Jay H.

A. Blackjacks, which pay 3 for 2, occur more frequently on a single deck versus multideck games. Allow me, Jay, to illustrate. Let's say your first card is an Ace. On a single-deck game, 16 of the remaining 51 cards, or 31.37 percent, are the face or 10-value cards that would complete your blackjack.

On a six-deck game, 96 of the remaining 311 cards, or 30.87 percent, would give you your blackjack.

A recognized authority on casino gambling, Mark Pilarski writes a nationally syndicated gambling column. E-mail him at pilarski@markpilarski.com.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Wander through a modern casino and gaze upon the squadrons of machines, sitting like idols to some neon God."

-- Gambling For Dummies