Las Vegas Blackjack Etiquette Debate Draws Fiery Responses

A massive debate is unfolding online about blackjack etiquette, and opinions are all over the place.

Blackjack is one of the most popular gambling games in the world, and it's featured at every major casino you can think of. You can't walk into a Las Vegas casino without seeing blackjack tables.

When it comes to the amount of time I spend gambling in Las Vegas, which is more than I'd like to admit to my girlfriend, at least 95% of it is spent at the blackjack tables.

I generally stick to basic strategy because I simply can't count cards coming out of a four or six deck shoe.

Blackjack etiquette sparks massive debate.

However, there are a lot of people out there who play outside of basic strategy. For example, I know a guy who loves doubling down on 12. I've also seen people get very upset when anyone at the table takes a hit or stays when he shouldn't.

The anger can really hit shocking levels. A viral Reddit thread was breaking down whether or not ignoring basic strategy is acceptable and opinions are very varied - with a decent slant towards doing what you want.

Check out some of the responses below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com:

• Here’s the thing, other people will be mad if they lose and you’re playing with wack strategy. No matter if it was your fault or not. So don’t feel bad but expect some dirty looks and people leaving the table. And if they are winning with your crazy play decisions, don’t expect them to be happy with you about that either. Ha. But, who cares. People can move on if they don’t like the table.
• I saw a guy lose his mind at the Luxor once, he was ready to fight and they had to drag him away from the table. The poor donut who drew his ire had no idea what he was doing, or why the angry man wanted to kill him.
• That's why I avoid playing with others at the table when I can. God forbid I have 12 and dealer is showing 3 and there’s no face cards on the board yet. Strategy says Hit, but strategy doesn’t consider hand history.
• Depending on the friendliness of the table, if I'm in those weird spots I'll sometimes ask the table what they want me to do.
• I do not understand blackjack snobs. The rules of the game are evident… The dealer ensures they are obeyed. Anything else is just some guys decision. You could always play with a computer if you want the same exact predictable decision every time.
• My husband is a by the rules person. We were our playing the other night, and he kept telling me and everyone else how to play. I finally told him to quit talking. I don't know all the rules, and I don't care to know all of them because they aren't so much rules as expectations of chance. Let me play.
• A dealer in Vegas gave us some good advice. Play how you want, if someone at the table doesn't like it they can get up and go somewhere else.
• I hear you. I’m only playing a $5 table. If I want to make an unconventional bet, it’s my five bucks. If some old man tries to get pissy with me I just look him in the eye and ask him if he wants to change seats with me. That usually shuts them up.
• It's your money. Play the way you want. Degens will blame EVERYONE else but themselves when they are losing. If you are playing "against the book" and they are winning you can bet they are not going to compliment you.
• First of all, it's your money, you can do as you want. Your decisions don't have a direct equitable correlation to the other players at the table, so they can F off. Having said that, if you want to avoid awkward situations, a couple pieces of advice. Play first base (or as close as you can to it). Players tend to remember the last decision maker the most. Regardless of what decisions you make, try to be consistent. It is fairly annoying to have someone stay on 16 against a ten half the time based on how they're feeling in the moment. Laugh it off. If someone is giving you a hard time, that's on them. They can find another table. Assuming you're playing low limits, if a $10 or $15 bet changes their life, they shouldn't be gambling.
• F*ck em basically. If you wanna hit on 19, you do you. Nobody knows what that next card is going to be and it could affect them in a positive way too, just like you said. They can find another table if they don’t like it as you aren’t breaking any rules.
• If they are financing your bets, then how you bet is their business. If not, then it isn't.
• The game is between me and the house. I’m not playing against or with those to my left or right.
• It's annoying cuz Im all about the math but it's not my money. No one is entitled to tell a person how to hit a hand. Don't like it, then leave. That's what I do when I am not vibing with the table.
• So I was playing at a small casino in Kansas City a few weeks ago. Everyone at the table was playing some circus side game that paid for straights, flushes, etc. I'm focusing on the cards dealt and trying to keep a count. It appears they had all been playing together for hours, and they all bet an additional $10 on the side bet every single hand. I don't care - it's their money. One of the players told me "Don't be afraid, we all are betting the extra bets". I replied " I'm not afraid, I'm just really good at math". Next hand I get two Queens. The dealer also gets two Queens. Apparently, this is a dream hand for the side bet. They all got so pissed they left the table. I didn't really care. It's my money and I prefer to play real blackjack.
• Last time in Vegas I was with a group and they all were trying to tell me what I was doing it all wrong. I play unconventionally but I have my own "system ". I ended up 1,200, they all lost. Winning is the best.
• I have been on the receiving end of those dirty looks before…once at the blackjack table, and once playing craps. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was winning and I was pretty happy about it. No one else was. Oops.

The overwhelming majority of responses were definitely in favor of doing whatever you want. It's your money, and you should play how you want. That's exactly what dealers and pit bosses will tell you.

However, other gamblers do not like it. I've seen with my own eyes people seethe because someone dared to take a hit when the book told them not to.

They acted like they just kicked their dog.

A massive debate broke out on Reddit about proper blackjack etiquette and strategy. (Credit: Getty Images)

Here's some more free advice. A single player's actions aren't going to throw the cards one way or another when we're talking about multiple decks in the shoe. This is just a fact. A random hit is as likely to help anyone as it is to hurt them. I play by the book most of the time. I have friends who do not. Do they get dirty looks and snide comments? Yes. Does it even slow them down? Not even a little. Let me know how you play or any crazy blackjack stories you might have at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.