I'm with Kegstand, here. When I play blackjack, I'm playing for one reason: for fun. If I really want to make money, I'd be sitting at the higher limit tables. And I usually WILL say that to an ornery person if they're complaining. The $1, $2, and $5 tables are for folks looking to just have FUN. At the same time, I go with the "book" about 90-95% of the time, but sometimes you can calculate what is coming toward the end of the shoe. I'm not talking cards, but you just "know" what the shoe has given you thus far so you can start to "anticipate" a card coming your way. If it doesn't work out, I live with it and move on. If it blows other people's cards, oh well. I am playing for ME, not for other folks. If BJ tables started giving bonus money for entire tables winning when the house busts, okay, I'll go completely 100% conservative. But nothing beats going against "the book" and pulling a card out of the shoe to give you 21 against the dealer's alleged 20. edit: man, now you guys have given me a huge hankering for heading to Laughlin tonight to go play cards.