Yes, newbies – you CAN win at blackjack. Some of us are actually there to win – if we weren’t at a casino, it would be called earning money, but for some reason when you have to work for winnings in a casino, it’s called winning, not earning. I haven’t figured out why because – thanks to people like the ones I’ll feature at this blog – it sure FEELS like earning.

My husband comes home and complains to me about the stupid people he has to work with. Well, honey – I can’t call them co-workers, but when I sit at the blackjack table with some of these people, I feel like I have stupid co-workers.

I especially want to thank the older gentleman who thought it was amusing to play around when placing his bet, rather just plunk his chips down in the betting circle. Fella, you’re screwing up the average hands per hour. And when I have to leave in 15 minutes and I am a mere $20 from my goal for the night, the extra time you spend doing what you (apparently) think is cute and funny isn’t so much funny as it is just downright annoying.

I could’ve lived with that, but your lack of attention was another issue that just added to the annoyance of your coy betting habits. You’re sitting at the blackjack table, honey. What the hell is so interesting at the other tables, the slot machines behind you – and apparently everything else in the casino except the table where you’re sitting? I mean, really – do we have to poke you every damn time it’s your turn to signal your hand? And God forbid the dealer should hand you the cut card because it will take the rest of the table 5 minutes to bring your attention back around to the table so we can get the deck cut and continue playing.

And apparently, you learned to signal your play at the same place you learned to place your bets. The dealer is unable to interpret facial expressions and grunts. It’s necessary for you to give a hand signal that the cameras can see and interpret. Screwing up your face and looking like you’ve got really, really bad gas is not cute – it’s a waste of time. Look at the cards, geezer. The dealer has a 10. You have a 6 and a 2. Do you really have to spend a minute trying to decide what to do with that??

In spite of the antics of this player, I managed to make my goal and I was only 5 minutes over my designated departure time.

So what’s the lesson, New Blackjack Player (hereinafter referred to as NBJP)?

1. Yes, we’re having fun. That doesn’t mean we aren’t also serious about our fun.
2. Play the game and pay attention. It’s okay to chit-chat with others – heck, one reason I love blackjack is because I’m a social animal – but don’t let it interfere with the play at the table.

Thanks and I hope you come back to NBJP soon!