The Dos and Don’ts of Playing Blackjack

Everybody knows of blackjack. The simplicity of reaching 21 with a combination of cards and risk and reward makes it a very appealing game worldwide. So, how does one become the best blackjack player ever? We might not have the definitive answer to that question, but we have some pointers to get readers in the right direction to play blackjack confidently.

While the cards are dealt out randomly, players can enhance their chances of winning or losing based on their strategy and understanding of the game. By following these pointers, players will better grasp how to get the most from the blackjack table.

Understand the Rules to Play Blackjack

It should go without saying that when it comes to any casino game or betting any money on it, you fully understand the rules of blackjack and how it plays out. While blackjack rules are easy to grasp, many players struggle by rushing into the game without fully immersing themselves in the rules and then blaming a third party.

It could have been avoided by taking the time to learn the rules or go over them again if it had been some time since they last played blackjack.

Never Disregard the Dealer

One major pitfall that blackjack players overlook is the element of the dealer. While they often follow house rules, they have a consistent strategy (which is usually a good attribute in blackjack). They will stand on a specific number every time, removing volatile and human judgement errors from their play.

Instead, any good blackjack player will observe any signage on the online casino or in physical proximity to see if there is any note about what the dealer will stand on. Many blackjack tables enforce a policy stating: ‘the dealer will stand on X-value’, allowing players to better understand how they might be successful.

Another good dealer observation is to pay notice to the dealer’s face-up card. Some players solely concentrate on their hands, leading to severe losses. Considering whether the dealer has a good face-up card or a weak one will allow the players to set their expectations accordingly and assess the effectiveness of their current strategy.

Always Set a Strategy

Even as a simple game, blackjack needs a strategy to succeed. Players who aimlessly join a table might win a few hands, but without a proper structure, these gains will be limited.

The best blackjack players will assess the dealer’s stand value if present and work on a strategy that gives them a theoretical edge. If a dealer stands every time on 17, then a good blackjack player will be sure to have their plan, whether to stand on 17, 18, or another number. However, the best players must switch up their strategy to be successful for more than just a few hands. They might need to lower or heighten their stand if the cards play that way.

Of course, if a player is at the blackjack table and wants to play purely for fun and winning/losing money is of no consequence, then a strategy does not need to be applied for experiential gains.

Assess Other Player’s Behaviour

If you can read other players’ body language or the speed of how they are playing, be sure to use this information to your advantage. While their cards will have no bearing on your hand, there might be insights regarding the cards that might come up.

If a fellow player is taking many more cards, it suggests that low cards have come out, and there is a higher chance of a ten or face card coming out. Or if you’ve got a face card, and your opponent immediately stands; they probably have one too or maybe a 10 card. While this doesn’t directly impact your chances of winning, it does mean that there’s one less 10-value card in play, meaning the dealer has less chance of getting one.

One factor to consider is the deck or decks being played with. Some casino setups will play with multiple decks at any one point, so it is important to consider this when trying to assess what other players may or may not have.

Always Split Aces and Eights

When a player has two hands of the same value, they can split them up and get two hands in the game instead of one. Players don’t have to split, but there is some wisdom for specific cards. A pair of Aces should be separated, as it leaves little chance of winning with this pair, but significantly more so by splitting, potentially encountering a face card or a 10 to get 21.

A pair of eights is considered one of the worst hands in blackjack, leaving a player on the troublesome value of 16. It is neither high enough to win many hands nor is it low enough to realistically obtain another card without going bust.

Never Split Tens or Face Cards

Players can split any matching pair of cards – but some are less logical to do so than others. A pair of tens or face cards should not be separated. This is because the player already has a great hand with 20. Yes, there is a chance that the player could get two great hands if they separate and manage to get two 20 hands or even a 21 – but the odds of this are relatively low, especially when you already have two 10-value cards in your possession. Don’t succumb to greed and realise the fantastic hand you already possess is not worth throwing away.

Be Savvy with Bankroll and Gamble Responsibly

Blackjack or any casino game should not be relied upon as a financial revenue stream. Even the top pros have other stable income sources that don’t rely on chance cards. Don’t fall into this trap of overspending and losing money that you cannot afford to lose. Instead, segregate funds, ring-fencing specific amounts. Other money for shopping, clothes, and household expenses should never be frivolously spent on the blackjack table.

To get support, visit gambling help resources or your local authorities, who may have some coping and support mechanisms. The online casino itself may have safety tools like spend/deposit limits, self-exclusion protocols, and other player welfare means to assist and overcome problem gambling behaviours.

Explore Other Blackjack Variations

While the primary version of blackjack is the most popular, many casino sites offer a wide range of new variations on the original format. Any seasoned blackjack player will understand and appreciate each game incarnation’s nuances and rise to the challenge of more complex versions. We suggest that you explore Spanish 21 and Blackjack Switch, popular offshoots.

Don’t Take the Insurance Side Bet

One of the biggest hustles in blackjack is when the dealer offers insurance. This is usually available when the dealer reveals an ace as their face-up card. The idea is that you pay for the ’insurance’ to protect your original wager if they have a natural blackjack.

Generally, the odds don’t stack up nicely for a player to take this. Essentially, spending more money can still be easily lost. This is because the dealer’s odds of having a natural blackjack are still lower than another combination.

Don’t Get Caught Up in Winning or Losing Streaks

Another concerning element occurs when a player becomes emotionally entangled with the state of the game. Winning streaks can make players overconfident, and they have a divine right to win every game of blackjack ever played. Irrespective of the prior cards, they are no more or less likely to win the next hand.

Losing streaks are, of course, also concerning. The best and most level-headed blackjack players understand the tilt phenomena. Several losses contribute to players’ emotional ability to gamble as they become fixated on chasing their losses. Simply put, don’t do this. If it’s not working, don’t force it. The cards weren’t working out, and becoming stressed will not help the situation. Remember that each hand is an individual game of chance, and the probabilities of each play stay the s