You always hear people talking about a “hot” table. I have heard people say that half of the battle when it comes to winning at blackjack is finding a hot table, because you are more likely to win. We will explore two questions in this discussion, both related to this concept. First of all, is there any such thing as a “hot” table. And secondly, is this something that regular blackjack players can tap into?

First of all, where does this term “hot table” come from? Well, it seems that, due to some recent Hollywood films, the amateur poker world is obsessed with counting cards in blackjack. Is this doable? Yes, it is. Is it difficult? Yes, it is very, very difficult to do right. Can someone count cards without practice? Probably not, unless they are gifted in some special way that allows their brain move at super fast speeds.  The main thing about counting cards is, again, the odds. When so many cards have been played, then a certain amount of OTHER cards remain in the deck, and that is what counting is all about. So, in this respect, you can detect what the odds are at a certain table if you know the current count. Is this advantageous? Of course! But, can you tap into this if you are not counting cards? Not really.

Some people think that a hot table is one where people are winning a lot. They will say that if people are “smiling and happy”, then it is probably a hot table because usually people smile when they have  been winning. People also say to avoid tables where people look gloomy. This is more of a superstition, however, because you sitting down at that table changes everything. Besides, if the good cards have been flowing for an hour from the same table, the odds are very good that luck will even it all out, and the next hour will be one of bad cards.