Take One, Leave One

The following video clip demonstrates how to press both 6 & 8 Place Bets from $12 each to $18 as well as pressing from $60 each to $90 each.

The physical procedure, the mechanics, for both presses is exactly the same. The only difference is the color of the cheques.

It is good practice to set up four players, two with $12 each on the 6 & 8 and two with $60 each on the 6 & 8. Alternate the players' bet amounts, as done in the video, to re-enforce the fact that the move is less about dollar amount and more about the number of cheques.

Base dealers' hands are not referred to as "left" and "right", but, rather "inside hand" and "outside hand" in relation to the dealers' position at the table. The hand closest to box person is the inside hand as it is also closest to the inside or middle of the table. Obviously, the outside hand would be the hand farthest away from the box person, closest to the outside of the table.

The base dealers' working stacks of cheques are always positioned in front of the dealer the same way they are in the bank with the lower denomination cheques towards the outside and the highest denomination cheques on the inside for game protection.

In the video the student has the $1 white cheques on her left which means she is on third base where her right hand is the inside hand and her left hand is the outside hand. If on second base the dealer's left hand would be the inside hand and the dealer's right hand would be the outside.

The repetitive use of the terms "inside" and "outside" can make the explanation of the moves sound wordy and confusing. So, if you get confused know that it is perfectly normal and just keep replaying the video and re-reading the explanation until you get it. If you feel the need to take a break and rest your brain, do so. Multiple short practice sessions are more productive than one long cram session. As with everything, practice makes perfect. Giving up only makes you unable to do it.

For this move it does not matter which of the two bets wins because they both pay the same $14. We need to use $12 of a $14 payout to press two bets $6 each. So $14 minus the $12 we need is $2. The end result is the player gets $2 change and their 6 & 8 Place Bets are pressed from $12 each to $18 each.

To press the 6 & 8 from $12 each to $18 each cut out the $14 payout directly in front of you in the Come by picking two red cheques with your inside hand and four white cheques with your outside hand. The two stacks of cheques should be cut out in the Come reasonably close together, if not actually touching. Yes, the student in the video does have her payout spaced a bit too far apart for my liking.

With the $14 cut out in the Come, do the following:

1. Hand off the cap from the inside bet with your outside hand.
2. Take one white from the Come with your inside hand and place it on top of the $12 outside bet, increasing it to $13.
3. Leave one red cheque on the outside bet by removing $8 from the outside bet & moving it to the inside bet with your inside hand.
4. Bring on the remaining cheques in the Come to the outside bet with your outside hand.
5. Both hands simultaneously adjust both caps.

As you practice this move, say "take one, leave one" as you take one, leave one. Your words should be in sync with your hands.

It is very important to strive for slow and accurate in the beginning. Speed will develop naturally with experience. Fast and sloppy is ugly. Smooth and controlled is your goal. To the beginner's inexperienced eyes everything appears to be moving much faster than it really is.

"Control, control, you must learn control!" - Yoda

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