The house always has the advantage in games like Black Jack. I avoid that game and all gambling games other than poker.
A few years back I was in a game with 5 other players. My mother and uncle were in the game as well. I had four 9's on the dealers left, I got them natural. Two showing, two in the whole. I was high so I bet a 50'c. I was called and raised a $1.00 by my uncle. He was called and again the pot was raised by a $1.00. Each player raised the pot by a dollar until it came back to me. I raised it by $5.00 figuring everyone would fold out and I would make a nice profit. Nope, everyone called. The post was already at $5.00 by the time I got my fourth nine and placed my bet. (50'c anti a peace = $2.50 + one hand at 50'c each = $5.00)
The next round I am dealt the Ace of hearts. (9c, 9s, 9h, 9d + Ah) I am still high with a pair of 9's and the ace showing. My mother had the 10, jack, queen of spades showing,(10, Js, Qs,) my uncle had two fives and a seven showing, (5, 5, 7) Art had two eights and the ace of clubs.(8, 8, Ac) The dealer had a king queen and jack showing. (K, Q, J)
I bet a $2.00. I was called and every one rased by a buck each. I again raised $2.00 and was called with everyone staying in.
The sixth card was dealt.
Me - ITH 9, 9 - Showing A, 9, 9 - was dealt a 2
My Mother - ITH * * - Showing 10s, Js, Qs - and was also delt a 2.
My uncle - ITH * * - showing 5, 5, 7 - and was delt a third 5.
Art - ITH * * - showing 8, 8, Ac - and was delt a third 8.
Dealer ITH - * * - showing K, Q, J, - and was dealt a 10.
Another round of betting.
The Last card was delt down and dirty. I was given a second 2.
My hand still beat everything showing. I bet $5.00. I was called and everyone rased $2.00. The Last raise was to me and I max bet $10.00. Everyone called. Oh this was going to be a cake walk.
I laid down first:
9, 9, 9, 9 with 2, 2, A
The deal went next:
K, Q, J, 10, A with 4, 3
Art put his cards down:
8, 8, 8, 8, with A, 3, 5
My uncle laid down:
5, 5, 5, 7, 7, with K, Q
I won
As I was reaching for my money, my mother gently put her hand on my arm and smiled. She then laid her cards out onto the table for all to see.
10, jack, queen, king, and Ace of spades.
And to add insult to injury, she also had low spade.
(This recollection is not exact, but you get the picture. I had the second highest hand and was beaten by a Royal Flush. I have played over 10,000 hands of poker and have only seen this twice.)
[ September 18, 2003, 16:09: Message edited by: Atrocities ]