Reader takes this writer
to task
10 March 2003
By Mark Pilarski
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 amongst masters of BJ, 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, blond
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
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