A standard blackjack table is a semi-circle with the dealer
standing on the straight side with room for up to 7 patrons facing the
dealer on the other side. The seat to the far left of the dealer is referred
to as third base and the seat to the far right is known as first base.
In some games there are advantages and disadvantages to where you sit
as a player (see Strategies). Groups of blackjack tables are known as
a “pit” and the supervisors of the pit are known as “pit
bosses”. In front of the dealer lies the rack of chips.
The rules of any blackjack table are posted on the table’s surface
such as what the house pays for a natural 21 (i.e. 3 to 2). or what the
house pays for insurance. A tables minimum and maximum bets are usually
posted at the table and can be changed at any time. In multi deck games
a small box containing a number of decks of cards sits to the side of
the dealer and referred to as a “shoe”. The dealer slides
one card at a time from the shoe as needed. Shoes are not used in single
deck games as they were developed because it was difficult for the dealer
to hold and deal 6 decks at one time. They also helped to thwart card
counters.
In front of each player at the blackjack table is a small area marked
with a rectangle where the player places his or her bet and receives their
cards.
