Decided to drive down to Quapaw and see how the BlackJack was. Arrived Saturday afternoon and they had around 12 tables open and all full and probably 15-20 people waiting to jump on at the first available seat. The floor supervisor informed me they would not open any more tables til 5:00pm and that was 2 hours away. Patiently waited and got on a table with a shoe, I never do this. I always play single and double deck and they had one double deck table but could not get on. Played for an hour and a half and walked with a nice streak, but from talking to others at the table, no-one else was even up. They were all playing catch-up and a couple were chasing and the cards were running fast from them. I was trying to figure how much ante I gave up to the Casino, would estimate around $70. If I go back, I will try to go during an off-period where table spots are easier to come by. I will probably stick to St. Louis, Tunica and Vegas when I can get there. Quapaw definately cuts off major driving time but it is just frustrating not to get on the table you want. Just my thoughts. Good Luck to all. Take care... Capt. BlackJack
Cptn BJ, I just got back from a couple of Oklahoma casinos this past weekend. Couldn't bring myself to buy chips in their game. That ante is a killer for anyone who wants a chance at coming out even! Both casinos were Cherokee operated. Roland (12 miles west of the Arkansas State line on I-40) had $5 and $25 minimums. They used some sort of shuffling gizmo like you might have at home....split the 6-shoe deck and riff the cards once....cut 'em and deal 'em. Normal Vegas type rules (H17, DOA, DAS) Not sure about resplitting aces. The killer was that $.50 ante. The Cherokee casino in Tulsa had a twist that I really didn't like. Their minimums were $10, $25 and $100. The $25 and $100 tables were the same as Roland except they used Shuffle-Master. These games were 6-deck shoes. However, on the $10 minimum table, they had a "constant shuffle" machine! Might as well be drawing cards at random from a bingo cage! As with your experience in Miami, the tables were usually full.
Gonna go back this week. Mikeaber, Miami did have one table that was Double Deck. I did not see the minimum but I would probably imagine $25 plus the ante. I sure do hate those shoes, but that is what I played last time not to waste the drive time down and back. Going to try to catch it during off-hours and see how it goes. Will let you know. Good Luck. Take Care... Capt. BlackJack
Don't know what your driving time is from Springfield, but I'd seriously give consideration to Kansas, City and AmeriStar or Harrah's up there. I split my time between AmeriStar and an Indian casion near Horton called "The Golden Eagle." They have normal shoe Blackjack there. Not as good ad DD-pitch, but it sure beats those antes!
Drive Time. My drive time to Miami is 1 hour 15 minutes and to Harrahs in KC right at 2 hours 50 minutes. Been going to Harrahs in St. Louis quite a bit and my drive time there is 2hr. 45 minutes but I know I can play DD back in the room for $25 a hand. Miami would be perfect if not for the ante, would save 3 1/2 hour drive time. Trying to figure out a system to compensate the ante. Good Luck. Take care... Capt. BlackJack
One "system" to beat the ante is to bet big so the $1 ante doesn't weigh as much. I watched a guy on the $100 table (max $1000) drop over $6,000 in just a few hands. They hustled him and his tablemate off to the VIP room where they probably raised the limits for them. I'm about 3 hours from KC and also about that same time from Golden Eagle. Both have okay 6-deck games. Double deck isn't quite as good as I'd like though. I'm probably 3.5 from Miami too. So, if I'm going to drive that far, I might as well go to one that doesn't have antes <smile>.
Oklahoma Ante's Mikeaber, I don't think there's any system to beat the ante, "betting big" doesn't beat the house odd's, it just means you may lose less due to the % ante of your bet, Paying a smaller % ante premium to make a larger bet will never beat the system. with a $0.50 ante on a $5 bet you are down 10% to the house before the cards are dealt, with a larger bet as you suggested (lets say a $100 bet for a $1.00 ante) you are still giving the house an additional 1% edge before the cards are dealt. Lets let S yama do the math, an additional 1 to 10 % house advantage with an ante makes a blackjack 6:5 payoff look good. Maybe Geronimo passed along some great mathematical genes.
Well spoken Rookie! In a game where margins are so tight and we search for the best tables available even when the difference is measured in terms of "hundredths of one percent", adding a house edge of 10% just doesn't make any sense. But, if "they've" just gotta play that ante game, then 1% looks a whole lot better than 10%, and encourages the patrons to play the black-chip game! Missouri is one state that imposes a $500 loss maximum. After loosing that amount, you have to sit back for 2 hours before buying in again whether it's for slot machines or on a table game. They are concerned about people gambling I guess who are on welfare (or are soon to be on welfare!). I find it ironic and somewhat encouraging that Oklahoma imposed the ante system. It's an "honest gesture" on their part that seems to say "We don't give a damn about the gamblers....just show us the money!" :flame:
Free BJ tournament Hey Mike, the Golden Eagle is having a free BJ tournament that starts next week. Midnite
'Lo Midnite......I heard about that. I can't get up there during the week for the qualifying round <sigh>. I'll be there sometime over next weekend though!
Mike, you can still try and quafily on Sat. before the finals. I played in the new Wed. night tournament that Harrah's (Topeka, Ks) just started having. I made the final table and finished in 4th. place.
Prairie Band I don't know what it is about Harrah's Prairie Band north of Topeka. I just can't "get into" playing there. I may have to reconsider and give them another try some day soon.
Busted Well, I gave it my best shot...twice, Midnite. Busted out on the third hand the first attempt and on the 18th on the second. $500 tournament chips. $500 maximum bet except for final bet (all-in limit). 21 hands. Had to be 1 of the top 25 chip leaders to qualify. The 25th position had qualified at $3,400.
