Have you ever sat at a blackjack table that seemed ‘cursed’? A hot table went cold. Everyone crashed out. The house cleaned up. An entire table scattered, and everyone is left fuming. It may not have been a cold deck, a cold dealer, or a cold player showing up. It could have been a change in seating that impacted the entire table. Where you sit at a blackjack table may impact play. We’ll go through the positions at the table, why you may want to sit there, and what to avoid.
Let’s dig into the different places to sit at a blackjack table and better understand the impact that each can have on your style of play.
Does your seat at the table matter for Blackjack?
What are the different seats available at a blackjack table?
While table size in most casinos varies from four to seven seats, we’re going to focus on three positions that really matter.
Think of a blackjack table as a baseball diamond, and the dealer is behind home plate. To the left of the dealer is the first player to get dealt to. This is considered ‘First Base’.
The seats in the middle? That’s ‘Middle Infield’. And the seat to the dealer’s right is considered ‘Third Base’.
Those are the only three positions that are of any importance when considering where to sit at a blackjack table.
Is there any statistical advantage to choosing a seat at a blackjack table?
The easy answer to this question is ‘no’. There isn’t a seat at a blackjack table that has a clear advantage over the others. However, there can be psychological factors that can impact your play and may have an impact on blackjack outcomes.
Why sit at first base at a blackjack table?
Sitting to the left of the dealer can be a preferred place to sit for some players. First, you get to see the entire table before having to decide on your first move. This gives you an idea of how many cards have come out and in what order.
It’s also really rare for anyone to get annoyed with the guy sitting at first base. Sitting to the left of the dealer means you’re the first to interact, and least likely to get called out for any ‘incorrect’ plays or ‘mistakes’.
This seat is also the only seat at the blackjack table that doesn’t have to make a decision after any other players. If you sit at First Base, you can take an action without having to consider the actions of the other players or additional cards that are no longer in the deck.
Why sit in the middle infield?
The middle seats are often where more inexperienced players choose to sit at blackjack tables. It’s also easier to socialize and move if you’re sitting in the middle of the action.
If you’re at the casino to spend time with friends, play a little, and focus more on having a good time than turning a profit, sitting in the center of the action is where you’ll want to be.
‘Incorrect’ play or ‘wrong’ actions can occur a bit more often in the middle of the table. Screw up in the middle of the game and you could be hearing it from both sides of the table.
Should I sit at third base at the blackjack table
Sitting to the right of the dealer is usually where you’ll find more seasoned pros than newbies. However, it’s not for everyone. This is the seat that is most likely to generate conflict due to perceived mistakes. Take an inappropriate hit? Someone might have a comment or two. Fail to hit in an obvious situation? Someone might have something to say. Fail to use psychic powers to see into the deck? You could hear from the peanut gallery in this instance, too.
Sitting at third base gives you the most data possible before making a decision. You could see the dealer hand out four straight face cards when you need an eight or under. It doesn’t mean you’re getting an eight, but will you see a fifth straight face card? Maybe not.
Living on the edge also means you’re the last player to act before the dealer does. This means that you have some degree of control over what the dealer gets. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the cards are dealt at random, and it’s best to make decisions based on what you’ve got and what the dealer is showing.
Are there any seats to avoid?
The answer here is that it depends. How do you like to play? Are you more comfortable acting first, or do you want as much information as possible before making a decision? Are you there to play or socialize?
Also, keep an eye on the folks that you might sit next to. Watch the table for a few hands and see how folks interact. You may prevent an awkward situation if you can avoid a loudmouth, a know-it-all, an airhead, or an overserved player.
Look for a table that suits your play style, and choose a seat there. If you’re out to socialize, look for a table that has a bit more volume from the players. However, if you want to focus on your play, look for a table with players who are a bit more into the game.
No matter where you sit, blackjack is meant to be fun. Your time online or at a table shouldn’t cause additional stress. You get enough of that from work, family, and sports gambling. If your blood pressure is rising, get up, take a walk, throw on your earphones, and listen to the latest episode of the Sports Gambling Podcast.
