What Is the Best Seat at A Blackjack Table?
Recently updated on January 18th, 2023
The third base is the best seat at blackjack tables. Many blackjack players have come to believe that being seated in the best seat in blackjack offers them a better chance of winning. Is there any truth in the myth, and can being seated in the third base truly improve your odds? Well, you have come to the right place for answers.
When playing blackjack, there are few things that you need to take into consideration before worrying about which seat is the best to be seated at. For instance, gaining skill and having luck on your side is a good start to improving your odds. There is no doubt that any player who uses the basic blackjack strategy will probably not worry about where they are seated at the table to influence the game. However, if you are new to playing blackjack, being seated in the third base can easily help you gain a better outcome.
Blackjack Tables Best Seat
There are about seven different seats that you can sit at a online blackjack table, and the third base is the best one. When you are seated at the third base, you were the last player to get your cards. Therefore, you are also the last player to decide to stand, double down or hit. There is a myth that when you were seated in the third base, you are the player that can control if the entire table wins or loses. The myth is centered on how the third base is the last one to act before the dealer. Therefore, if you had to hit instead of staying, all the other players would blame you for a bad outcome.
If you are a new player who hasn’t gotten used to using the basic blackjack strategy, this incident could put you off playing blackjack for a little while. Not only will you have other players side-eyeing you however it could be an uncomfortable gaming experience.
In all honesty, it doesn’t matter where you were seated when playing blackjack. There are several elements of the game that you can focus on to improve your chances of winning. These include practicing using strategies or focusing on your betting limits.
Sitting Positions in Blackjack
When playing online where you are seated doesn’t make much difference. But At brick-and-mortar or live casinos, there will be seven players seated at a blackjack table. This essentially means there are seven seats; however, only three of these seats are popular. Below we explain the most popular seats in blackjack.
- First base is on the far left of the dealer it is the first seat in blackjack. The player in this position is the first to get their cards and the first person to act.
- Shortstop is right in the middle of the blackjack table. When in this seat, you can prevent other players from joining the game.
- Third base is on the far right of the dealer and is also called the anchor. The player in this seat is the last to act before the dealer, and they get to see all the other players’ cards giving them a better stance when it is time to decide how to play their own cards
If you’re starting out in blackjack, being seated in the shortstop it’s one of the best decisions you can make. The seat gives you sight of everything that’s happening at the table. And it also allows you to stop any other players from joining the game. Being in the shortstop means you can make extra bets and be the last player to act if there is no one and third base. There are also other seats that you can go for. For example, the 4th position on the right of the shortstop also gives players a good view of the table. The best part about this particular seat is that it doesn’t give you the same responsibility as the first or the third base.
A Card Counters Best Seat
Card counting is a popular blackjack strategy which can be controversial. Not only can using this strategy mean you walk away with a lot of money; however, most casino sites frown upon the strategy. Apart from the skill required when card counting, being seated in a good seat is also essential. Most card counters prefer to be seated in the third base. This is the best position to get a view of everything happening at the table. This may as well be the main objective of card counting. It is important that at a land-based casino you shouldn’t make it obvious that you are counting cards. Being in the best seat that gives you a good view is beneficial. But you have to remember that you shouldn’t make it obvious that you’re counting cards by moving your head all the time.
Final thought
While being seated in the third base gives you a good overview of the table, where you choose to sit when playing blackjack will depend on your experience and strategy. One of the things that you will notice is regardless of which position you are seated in, each seat has its pros and cons. Where you choose to sit has to work best for you and your strategy.
It is also important to remember that how your competitors use to play their hands shouldn’t be affecting your gameplay. There are many other strategies that you can use to improve your odds. New players to blackjack may consider being seated and good seats as an advantage. You can either choose to get a good overview of the table by being in the 3rd base. But you have to remember the responsibility of sitting in that seat.
There are other good seats which give you a view of what is happening at the table without the responsibility of making major decisions. One of the best things that you can do for yourself is simply to practice playing blackjack. This will help improve your skill and gameplay before worrying about where to be seated at the table. Once you learn how to play blackjack, the best seat in blackjack will simply be an advantage to your strategy. You can start improving your gameplay immediately by playing at the best blackjack casinos online that we have recommended on this site.
