You can boost your profits by using a good strategy when playing the blackjack cards game, one of the best casino games.
In many cases, players go straight to the tables without learning any strategy. Players who make these kinds of Blackjack mistakes significantly reduce their winning chances.
Where do these Blackjack mistakes come from? Which are the pitfalls other players face, and how can you avoid them?
THE MOST COMMON BLACKJACK MISTAKES ARE:
- Not reading the fine print
- Not knowing sign language
- Misadding the ace(s)
- Playing “what if”
- Showing off
- Believing in the team approach
- Being too serious
MISTAKE #1: NOT READING THE FINE PRINT
Making a decision about where to sit is crucial. Not only do you have to pick a table, you also have to pick the right spot at the table. Learn the basic rules and the minimum stake before you begin playing. The rate at which players receive their first two cards when they are natural (an Ace and a 10-value card) is an important factor to consider. It might be displayed on a sign to the dealer’s right or written in large letters on the table felt. Whenever you find a table that pays 6-to-5 or even money, choose another one.
BOTTOM LINE
It is probably not worth your time to play a game that has many rules changes.
MISTAKE #2: NOT KNOWING SIGN LANGUAGE
In real life, players do not tell the dealer to hit them or stay them as in movies and TV shows. Instead, they use hand signals to indicate their intentions. As a result, surveillance cameras are able to clearly see a player’s intent and prevent any misunderstandings. The following signals are used in multi-deck shoe games, where cards are dealt face up and players may not touch them: When you hit, you scratch the table with your index finger; when you stay, you wave your hand over your cards; when you double, you place out your extra money (but it may not be more than your original bet) and flash the No. 1 sign behind your cards; to split a pair, match your original bet exactly and make a V with your first two fingers.
BOTTOM LINE
If you double or split, always put the extra chips on the left side of your original bet. Never put them on top.
MISTAKE #3: MISADDING THE ACE(s)
One and eleven are the two values of aces, which makes them tricky. It is therefore necessary to consider both totals when making a decision. If you hold an Ace-Six hand, for example, it’s worth 7 and 17. Eight and 18 are obtained by adding another Ace. You get 11 and 21 by adding a three.
It is a good idea to ask your dealer if you are unsure of your total. “Soft” hands count Aces as 11, such as Ace-6, which counts as 17. An Ace-6-10 hand is a “hard” hand – a hand with one Ace.
BOTTOM LINE
If you have Aces Two, Three, Four, Five, or Six, you should never stand with them.
MISTAKE #4: PLAYING “WHAT IF”
After all the cards have been dealt, you have to reconfigure the hand once the cards have been dealt. It is common for a player to reconstruct the sequence after the dealer makes a hand in order to get a different outcome. She would have busted the dealer if she had hit her 12 and he had stayed on Soft 17 along with her two-card 8.
Forget that. People pay to play cards however they want whether it’s for good or for ill. Some are masters of blackjack. It isn’t true for most of them.
BOTTOM LINE
Change tables if you don’t like the way other players are playing. It’s only a matter of time before the next group becomes worse.
MISTAKE #5: SHOWING OFF
In the casino atmosphere, players are not shy about showing off their love of risk. Blackjack is a game you can beat, but always remember why you’re playing it. Many people bet more than they can afford and make silly Blackjack mistakes just because they’re here to gamble. It’s inappropriate to expect people to be impressed by you, whether they’re friends or strangers. Keep your bets small when you’re just starting out. Despite winning multiple hands in a row, don’t think you are invincible. If you have a seven or eight, don’t split it or double it.
BOTTOM LINE
Don’t head to the ATM if you lose all your money playing blackjack. Don’t worry about not having the cards tonight.
MISTAKE #6: BELIEVING IN THE TEAM APPROACH
In blackjack, players often say it’s a team sport, and everyone has to work together to beat the dealer. Pay no attention to the loudmouth “coach” who says, “Someone needs to take a hit” when everyone has a stiff hand. Keep basic strategy in mind when playing your cards. The most noted Blackjack mistakes are that it doesn’t have an I, but it also doesn’t have a T, E, or M.
BOTTOM LINE
Beginners can use another basic strategy.
MISTAKE #7: BEING TOO SERIOUS
Playing blackjack for fun is the best reason to play. It is possible to play for a decent amount of time and maybe come home with a little extra cash if you follow the simplified strategy above. You can just as easily lose as you can win because the house has the advantage.
BOTTOM LINE
Make smart decisions. Make sure you have enough money to lose if the cards don’t turn out well. Take advantage of the ride and enjoy it. There is no doubt that blackjack is a great game.
