Blackjack strategies are complex. It requires gamblers to know how to handle hundreds of decisions based on their totals and the dealer’s hole cards. Fortunately, learning a blackjack strategy isn’t all that daunting. It’s easy to see how to make the best decisions in each situation just by looking at the strategy chart. Blackjack trainers offer another easy way to learn the best strategies. These procedures point to incorrect strategic decisions. Blackjack strategy charts and trainers are completely free. Players can also find them with a quick Google search. Given the wide availability of strategies, it seems like everyone should be good at blackjack. However, many players know nothing about it. Why don’t some gamblers bother to improve their blackjack skills? I’ll discuss a few reasons why this is the case below.
Do not want to study
Many blackjack players are lazy. They believe that only serious players have time to learn strategy. However, the same players can quickly improve their skills without wasting time. Here are some simple ways they can improve:
● Review strategy charts for five minutes before each blackjack meeting.
● Practice 20 minutes using online blackjack while referring to the chart for each decision.
● Bring up the strategy chart on your smartphone and occasionally refer to it on a land-based table.
Nothing forces a gambler to learn a strategy before playing a game of blackjack. However, a person can easily improve their skills without much effort.
Totally believe in luck
The Internet has changed the world in many ways. Anyone with a smartphone now has access to more information than was possible under Bill Clinton’s presidency. Due to the explosion of information, many gamblers realize that a bunny’s foot and a lucky shirt won’t change their odds. Still, some blackjack players rely on trinkets and amulets rather than sound strategy. The same players may play by feel. If they had a hunch that a 6 would appear, they would hit a 15 even if the dealer showed a 5. Blackjack is a random game (minus card counting) with verifiable odds. Luck and hunches won’t beat this game.
Misconceptions about blackjack strategy
Blackjack strategies may seem complicated. Nonetheless, anyone can quickly learn how to play in the best way with charts and trainers. However, some gamblers do not realize the simplicity of learning strategies. They may think that becoming a skilled player requires hours of reading articles and software. Based on all the different scenarios, the strategy of this game does look daunting. These are the types of situations that confuse the average player. However, gamblers can easily categorize them after spending time with trainers and/or charts.
Trend Betting
The gambler’s fallacy is very common in blackjack. This term refers to the fact that past outcomes can determine future outcomes. Players who operate on the gambler’s fallacy use previous results to guide their bets. When they think they deserve to win, they usually bet more.
Here is an example:
● The player loses three bets in a row.
● They feel that based on their losing streak, they are destined to win the next hand.
● They increased their next bet from $10 to $30.
The odds of winning blackjack are about 43%. Therefore, it is logical to think that a losing streak means a win is imminent. But aside from card counting, blackjack is a fixed odds game. It offers the same 43% chance of winning no matter what has happened in the past. The player in the example might lose three more hands in a row on top of the current losing streak. They simply increase the risk by tripling the next bet. The key thing to remember with trend betting is that each outcome is independent of the last. Blackjack card counting is the only way to change that.
Rely on betting system
A betting strategy is a systematic approach to gambling. It requires a person to wager in a specific way to increase profits and, in some cases, win back losses. Martingale systems are common in blackjack. This strategy requires doubling down after each defeat. Here’s an example from Martingale:
● The $10 bet is lost (funds are -10).
● The $20 bet is lost (funded at -30).
● The $40 bet is lost (funded at -70).
● $80 bet wins (bank +10).
Start fresh with a $10 bet. This negative progression system is popular because it helps to win back losses quickly. However, it also forces gamblers to take huge risks. Many players choose an aggressive strategy to avoid taking such a large risk. Such a system only requires increasing stakes during the winning streak. For example, the Paroli system requires gamblers to double their bets after each win. The goal is to hit a three-game winning streak before restarting.
Here is an example:
● $10 bet wins (bank +10)
● $20 bet wins (bank +30)
● $40 bet wins (bank +40)
● Start fresh with a $10 bet.
In theory, a betting system sounds like a good idea. They can accelerate their hot streak and win back their losses in the short term. But these strategies didn’t overcome the house’s advantage. Therefore, they are no better than flat bets in the long run. Unfortunately, some blackjack players who use the system feel like they have found a golden ticket. They may also abandon traditional strategies. Likewise, using a casino wagering system is not a guaranteed way to profit. Traditional strategies will get players farther than any system.
Only play with friends
Some people are not gambling enthusiasts. However, they are willing to go to the casino to socialize with friends. They might also be willing to play blackjack if their friends wanted to. After all, who wants to be at the table when their buddies gamble? People who play blackjack just because of their friends won’t be motivated to learn strategies. They may even know little about the rules and think blackjack is just based on luck. These players must master the ground rules before they worry about strategy. Once they have the rules in place, though, they won’t have much trouble developing a strategy.
Play jackpot
Some blackjack tables feature progressive jackpots. The jackpot grows with each bet and can reach large percentages. Progressive blackjack plays much like a standard game. The only difference is that if players want to qualify for the jackpot, they must place an optional side bet. Side bets may result in multiple payouts, including jackpots. For example, it may result in a payout of three aces (including the dealer’s upcard). Many progressive tables award 10% of the jackpot for a hand and 100% for rarer hands. Those chasing the jackpot may not be interested in strategy anyway. Instead, they just want to enjoy blackjack with big bonuses. Of course, the progressive variant has the same strategy as the regular version – only the jackpot is involved. Those who like this game can still benefit a lot by learning the basic tricks or more.
In conclusion
Those who fail to learn blackjack strategies reduce their chances of winning. Instead, they rely on luck to win. Unfortunately, many gamblers have been down this road. They reject the idea of learning strategies for one or more reasons. The biggest obstacle to learning strategies is sheer laziness. Some people don’t think it’s worth the time to improve because they could have played. These same gamblers may think it takes too much time to learn a blackjack strategy. They were intimidated by the seemingly complicated things. Actually, blackjack strategies are not difficult to figure out. Each step can be as simple as referring to a diagram. Of course, land-based casinos are dismissive of those who stare at the charts when making every decision. In these situations, practice with a blackjack trainer and learn optimal decisions through pattern recognition. Blackjack strategies and their accompanying tools are readily available. Players only need to put in a little effort to hone these resources and start learning.
