When do you jump onto a table?  If people are playing and winning, do you jump in immediately or allow them to run the hot streak?
When newbies come into play and they are easily recognizable, do you play the next hand or do you wait until they leave?

My rules are simple. If i walk up to a table with 1 or 2 players i always ask if they mind if i sit down. If 3 or more players at a table, i do not feel obligated to ask...i just enter the game. My thinking is that, for some, superstition is a big part of the game and i should show some respect.  It is not my responsibility, however, to "poll" the table every time i walk up

I sometimes sit out till newbies lose asap

It's an attempt to prevent card-counters from jumping into a table on a positive (favors the players) count, and then leaving when the count turns negative (neutral and/or favors the house).

I'm talking double deck because that is the only one I play. Don't play single deck because bjs are mainly paid off6/5.

To play solo against the dealer?

You are asking questions that are in the etiquette area and the superstition area.  

Just hit it...I know they say always split 8's but I don't against a 10. Too big a chance of losing both hands.

You will lose less than if you hit.

Yep, it seems I get my pair of aces, and the dealer is showing a ten and then turns over another 10. I am then hoping to get one 10 so I can at least push. I very rarely get a pair of aces when the dealer is showing cards 2-7.  

When you split the aces you only get one card on each

None of the items mentioned are anything more than superstition. None of them matter except for your second paragraph (if you're a counter). Like you, anywhere with conditions favorable enough to play will not allow me to play.

All true except surrender is not often allowed.

I read today that MGM is standardizing all their BJ games on the Strip to 6:5 payouts and eliminating all 3:2 payouts on BJ.

when not sure if to join a table.....just ask the players that are there....do you mind if I join in now, or wait til a new shoe...they will all appreciate you asking...some will ask that you wait, some will say join in now.........you will be a friend at the table, just for asking

I like playing solo, I like playing high limits, I had preferred to play at the nice places like Bellagio, etc, however:

Hi Krinn,
What you said has got me to thinking about my situation. I have been doing quite well in Vegas and the Indian casinos in California.  I don't count cards and I keep my bets consistent, not progressive betting. I just use basic strategy and hunches.  How much money wise do you need to start winning before they start telling you you can no longer play?

I mean, if you're betting red chips at the Bellagio, they probably won't waste too much time surveilling you.  OTOH, if you're playing black chips in some low-roller casino, you'll definitely get attention, whether you're counting or not--but black chip action will always draw attention even at Aria, Wynn, etc--especially if you're winning (or counting).

The best counters I know are expert at camouflage.  They not only vary their bets, but their play as well. They are so good, in fact, their play can often be confused with that of a newbie with no idea of basic strategy.  They tend to play at crowded tables (which brings less attention) and are not greedy when it comes to the size of their bets when the shoe is favorable.  There is a range, in terms of multiples of your "basic" bet,  that will keep from bringing attention. They are expert  in this as well.  In terms of splitting 8's, a good counter will often  surrender this hand.  Thus, showing knowledge of the game (that surrender is available) but seeming a bit rookie- esque by overplaying that option (as basic strategy tells you to always split 8s).In short, don't try to be a card counter unless you have considered all dimensions of the process

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Play the way you think is best for you, but I think that playing the way you describe (especially the playing hunches part) winning long term and getting barred will not be a problem for you.
 

30 years ago, basic strategy reduced the house edge to about .5%, so Blackjack gave me a decent chance to make a little money betting up the hot streaks but keeping losses down at minimum bets.

It's a race you will often win when you don't want to.

With the rules being tightened the way they have over the last several years, most casinos will not allow you to "re split" aces.

This is never a good strategy as it completely ignores the realities of the game

I certainly hope that you are agreeing that one of the house's biggest advantages is that the player has to play first and the house often wins with nothing as the player has already busted before the house has to act.

Casinos will continue to make the games more painful for the player as long as the players still come.  Of course now, the casinos are making their money on the clubs and shopping and not relying as much on the gamblers