Aruba Blackjack: 6 decks + surrender allowed...what strategy card do you recommend?
Dec 30, 2016, 1:18 pm
#1
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Aruba Blackjack: 6 decks + surrender allowed...what strategy card do you recommend?
Searched all over and couldn't find helpful info in any other forum (including reviews of the Ritz Aruba), so here's hoping some other gamblers are lurking around!
We have a trip to the Ritz Carlton Aruba booked for February of 2017 (never been to Aruba before). I'm a blackjack player but haven't played in years due to new mommyhood, etc. Combine that with drinking and I typically--even pre-child--like to use a printed/laminated strategy card when I play.
The problem is that there don't appear to be strategy cards for the kind of blackjack played in Aruba. What I found from my online research is:
1. The dealer takes no hole card (shouldn't affect odds though, right?).
2. Surrender is allowed (meaning: many combos you would NORMALLY split on--say, you have two 8s and the dealer has a 10 showing--you NOW should surrender?).
3. They always have 6-deck shoes.
4. Dealer stands on soft 17.
Has anyone played blackjack at the Ritz Aruba or other Aruba casinos? Are points 1-4 above correct? Is there a strategy card than can work with a surrender allowed (I have never played in a casino that had this before), so I don't split when I should surrender, etc.?
We have a trip to the Ritz Carlton Aruba booked for February of 2017 (never been to Aruba before). I'm a blackjack player but haven't played in years due to new mommyhood, etc. Combine that with drinking and I typically--even pre-child--like to use a printed/laminated strategy card when I play.
The problem is that there don't appear to be strategy cards for the kind of blackjack played in Aruba. What I found from my online research is:
1. The dealer takes no hole card (shouldn't affect odds though, right?).
2. Surrender is allowed (meaning: many combos you would NORMALLY split on--say, you have two 8s and the dealer has a 10 showing--you NOW should surrender?).
3. They always have 6-deck shoes.
4. Dealer stands on soft 17.
Has anyone played blackjack at the Ritz Aruba or other Aruba casinos? Are points 1-4 above correct? Is there a strategy card than can work with a surrender allowed (I have never played in a casino that had this before), so I don't split when I should surrender, etc.?
Feb 3, 2017, 4:10 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL
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Blackjack strategy
You'd have more luck with this on a Blackjack board 
I hope you find this before you go.
1. I was there last year, IIRC they actually have No Surrender blackjack, and I think they do take a hole card (at least some of them).
2. You can find any type of BJ basic strategy you need here:
http://wizardofodds.com/games/blackj...gy/calculator/
(and actually pretty good gambling information about almost every game)
3. The Ritz Carlton and the Adjacent Stellaris are probably the nicest casinos on the island. Almost everywhere you go has good sign-up bonuses for their players' clubs, Tropicana had one that was worth almost $100...
There is a little variety on the island (you can find UTH and Mississippi stud too).
D.
I hope you find this before you go. 1. I was there last year, IIRC they actually have No Surrender blackjack, and I think they do take a hole card (at least some of them).
2. You can find any type of BJ basic strategy you need here:
http://wizardofodds.com/games/blackj...gy/calculator/
(and actually pretty good gambling information about almost every game)
3. The Ritz Carlton and the Adjacent Stellaris are probably the nicest casinos on the island. Almost everywhere you go has good sign-up bonuses for their players' clubs, Tropicana had one that was worth almost $100...
There is a little variety on the island (you can find UTH and Mississippi stud too).
D.
Searched all over and couldn't find helpful info in any other forum (including reviews of the Ritz Aruba), so here's hoping some other gamblers are lurking around!
We have a trip to the Ritz Carlton Aruba booked for February of 2017 (never been to Aruba before). I'm a blackjack player but haven't played in years due to new mommyhood, etc. Combine that with drinking and I typically--even pre-child--like to use a printed/laminated strategy card when I play.
The problem is that there don't appear to be strategy cards for the kind of blackjack played in Aruba. What I found from my online research is:
1. The dealer takes no hole card (shouldn't affect odds though, right?).
2. Surrender is allowed (meaning: many combos you would NORMALLY split on--say, you have two 8s and the dealer has a 10 showing--you NOW should surrender?).
3. They always have 6-deck shoes.
4. Dealer stands on soft 17.
Has anyone played blackjack at the Ritz Aruba or other Aruba casinos? Are points 1-4 above correct? Is there a strategy card than can work with a surrender allowed (I have never played in a casino that had this before), so I don't split when I should surrender, etc.?
We have a trip to the Ritz Carlton Aruba booked for February of 2017 (never been to Aruba before). I'm a blackjack player but haven't played in years due to new mommyhood, etc. Combine that with drinking and I typically--even pre-child--like to use a printed/laminated strategy card when I play.
The problem is that there don't appear to be strategy cards for the kind of blackjack played in Aruba. What I found from my online research is:
1. The dealer takes no hole card (shouldn't affect odds though, right?).
2. Surrender is allowed (meaning: many combos you would NORMALLY split on--say, you have two 8s and the dealer has a 10 showing--you NOW should surrender?).
3. They always have 6-deck shoes.
4. Dealer stands on soft 17.
Has anyone played blackjack at the Ritz Aruba or other Aruba casinos? Are points 1-4 above correct? Is there a strategy card than can work with a surrender allowed (I have never played in a casino that had this before), so I don't split when I should surrender, etc.?
Feb 3, 2017, 6:10 am
#3
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I'm seeing this before we go - thank you!
Will print up a 'wizard of odd' card to take with us. And thanks for the steer to blackjack boards: I find those a bit intimidating because they're on a whole 'nother level, but I figured someone here might be more of a casual player, like me.
Gracias!
Will print up a 'wizard of odd' card to take with us. And thanks for the steer to blackjack boards: I find those a bit intimidating because they're on a whole 'nother level, but I figured someone here might be more of a casual player, like me.
Gracias!
Feb 3, 2017, 6:13 am
#4
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Actually seeing that I need more answers to get the most accurate card (e.g., need to know if you can do 'late surrender'), I'll ask these questions at the casino when we get there and then ask the Ritz to print the right one up.
Feb 4, 2017, 12:11 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2010
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Aruba BJ
Well, the WOO (Wizard of Odds) does have a forum, but most of the site is dedicated to an analysis of gambling games, almost all of which have strategies provided (some with several - from a simple to a complex strategy).
You might even find a page on Aruba BJ on there (I know he's done a few pages on different countries), or perhaps information in the forum.
As I said, IIRC Aruba is completely No Surrender. I would go with no surrender H17, 6 decks, and make any corrections there if you find anything different. Quite a few CSM games but also a fair few shoe games. You can also find UTH, Three card poker, Mississippi Stud, "Carribean poker" (similar to Carribean stud but you can buy a card) and Let it Ride (I think). For most of these the house edge hovers around 2-4%, if you get the right strategy from WOO
You can get some reasonable comps and good sign-up offers, and the dealers and pit are quite friendly and competent in the higher-end places.
D.
You might even find a page on Aruba BJ on there (I know he's done a few pages on different countries), or perhaps information in the forum.
As I said, IIRC Aruba is completely No Surrender. I would go with no surrender H17, 6 decks, and make any corrections there if you find anything different. Quite a few CSM games but also a fair few shoe games. You can also find UTH, Three card poker, Mississippi Stud, "Carribean poker" (similar to Carribean stud but you can buy a card) and Let it Ride (I think). For most of these the house edge hovers around 2-4%, if you get the right strategy from WOO
You can get some reasonable comps and good sign-up offers, and the dealers and pit are quite friendly and competent in the higher-end places.
D.
Feb 4, 2017, 5:34 pm
#6
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Feb 4, 2017, 5:51 pm
#8
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I've used them in Vegas, Atlantic City and Mohegan Sun and no casino has ever complained. I recall asking a dealer or pit boss about it years ago (don't remember in which town) and was explicitly told casinos don't care, as long as you hold it or wear it laminated around your neck and it doesn't sit on the blackjack table.
Is it possible something has changed in the last 5 or so years (it's been that long since I played blackjack)? I imagine it is. But I used them for more than a decade prior here in the U.S. without problems, at multiples casinos in AC and Vegas.
Is it possible something has changed in the last 5 or so years (it's been that long since I played blackjack)? I imagine it is. But I used them for more than a decade prior here in the U.S. without problems, at multiples casinos in AC and Vegas.
Feb 4, 2017, 5:55 pm
#9
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Just googled it in case anything has changed; there are lots of links about it but here are a few quotes from this link that sum up my experience:
http://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambl...-at-the-table/
"Strategy cards are allowed as long as the user is not slowing down the game significantly."
"Some casinos do not want you to put the card on the table, but I've yet to find a casino that won't let you use one - unless you use it and still can't come to a quick decision....."
http://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambl...-at-the-table/
"Strategy cards are allowed as long as the user is not slowing down the game significantly."
"Some casinos do not want you to put the card on the table, but I've yet to find a casino that won't let you use one - unless you use it and still can't come to a quick decision....."
Feb 4, 2017, 5:56 pm
#10
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As readers may have noticed from my original post, I have never been to Aruba before, so I don't know if Aruba allows it--but I'd be surprised if they care, as long as I hold it or just wear it around my neck. We shall see!
Feb 4, 2017, 6:02 pm
#11
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You're right: no surrender!
Strategy card about to print! Gracias!
Feb 5, 2017, 2:13 am
#12
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Feb 23, 2017, 6:33 am
#13
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In the interest of paying it forward for anyone else who stumbles upon this thread:
The Ritz Carlton Aruba Casino does indeed have 6 deck shoes, and the dealer must hit on soft 17.
Also: not only did the dealers and pit bosses enjoy my use of my strategy card, they often would just tell me the "correct" play as I was consulting it, since they knew I was going to go with the card every time.
The Ritz Carlton Aruba Casino does indeed have 6 deck shoes, and the dealer must hit on soft 17.
Also: not only did the dealers and pit bosses enjoy my use of my strategy card, they often would just tell me the "correct" play as I was consulting it, since they knew I was going to go with the card every time.
May 31, 2023, 7:01 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2005
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In the interest of paying it forward for anyone else who stumbles upon this thread:
The Ritz Carlton Aruba Casino does indeed have 6 deck shoes, and the dealer must hit on soft 17.
Also: not only did the dealers and pit bosses enjoy my use of my strategy card, they often would just tell me the "correct" play as I was consulting it, since they knew I was going to go with the card every time.
The Ritz Carlton Aruba Casino does indeed have 6 deck shoes, and the dealer must hit on soft 17.
Also: not only did the dealers and pit bosses enjoy my use of my strategy card, they often would just tell me the "correct" play as I was consulting it, since they knew I was going to go with the card every time.