If there is one casino game that most people should be able to master, it is blackjack. Even if you can’t memorize every strategy or count, the rules are so simple that most people understand the game within minutes. While there are many variations of the game, it is simple for everyone to understand how point values are associated with cards. You win by getting as close to 21 as possible and getting a value above the dealer. Of course, the real difference between playing blackjack at home and playing at a casino is that casinos don’t forgive mistakes. When playing blackjack at a casino for the first time, new players can feel nervous and excited at the same time. It’s easy to go wrong.
You don’t know the basic strategy
Some people are overconfident in their blackjack skills because they know the rules. Rules are important in this game, but without strategy, you’re just playing around. This strategy gets you as close to your 21-point goal as possible, or keeps you in the game when the dealer might bust. Blackjack strategy depends on knowing the probability of which cards will be dealt next. The strength of the dealer’s cards will also affect your decision. If the dealer shows a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, you know that whatever the hidden card is, he must hit. If the dealer’s hole card doesn’t mean anything to you during the game, you still need to develop a basic strategy.
You’re not sure when to double down
The basic double betting rule allows a player to double his bet and take another card. You should only bet if you are sure the odds are in your favor.
There are two ways to think about probabilities:
You’ve been counting cards and it feels like the deck or hand is now skewed towards your desired outcome. You’re just playing a deck of cards or in an online game without shoes, and it’s advantageous to conclude based on the cards you see. If you’re playing a live dealer game where you can see the shoe and know how many decks it has, the odds of online blackjack should be similar to those of a brick and mortar casino game. If you’re playing a computerized game of voslot blackjack, unless it says it’s using simulated multi-layer shoes, you’ll be safer assuming it trades with a new deck on every hand.
But either way, you can’t count cards online. Even the live dealer games use a continuous shuffler, which means you start with a new deck each hand. Many players know that if their first two cards add up to 10 or 11, they may be in a good position to double up. However, if you have an ace and any hand between 2 and 6 and the dealer shows a 5 or 6, you may also be in a good position to double down.
You haven’t decided to stand soft 17
Blackjack is always a guessing game. Your skills will come into play in remembering the rules of the game, the correct strategy, and how many hi-lo cards (if you count) have been played since the last shuffle. If you climb to 17 on a low value hand and the dealer shows an ace or 10, you need to decide whether to stand on your soft 17. You can still go all-in or win if the dealer goes bankrupt. Asking for another card may get you out of the game.
If the dealer holds an ace and any card less than a 6, then he must draw a card. He still has a chance to score. But if you’re not sure what’s most likely to happen next, you’re not ready to make that call. It doesn’t matter what call you make in the long run. You will win and you will lose some hands. Your uncertainty or lack of confidence shows that you are not playing the best game you can. If you are 100% confident in your choices and lose every hand in blackjack, you may never be able to improve your game.
You keep making the same mistakes
Expanding on my previous point, if you split blindly every time you get two identical cards, you’re not improving your game. Bonus points if you don’t understand why experts recommend against splitting 9s or 10s. In other words, look at the number of points in your hand before deciding whether to try one of the riskier and flashier moves in blackjack. If you don’t admit how many points you have at the table, you’re not playing the game well. Some players will split for 10 seconds. They have their reasons. Most good players regularly stand in the 20th. This is a solid hand.
You are jealous of other players’ success
Have you been watching their cards and their victories? You are not paying attention to your game. You have no control over how the cards are dealt. The best strategy in the world does not guarantee that you will win a hand in blackjack. You can only change what happens when it’s your turn to play. If you’ve been playing high cards and going broke, the changes you need to make should be obvious. You can’t let other players sacrifice the cards you need. There is only one game you should care about – the game between you and the dealer.
In conclusion
No one is born an expert. Mastering any game of skill requires practice, patience and flexibility. Most importantly, a little humility goes a long way. We all make mistakes, and the sooner we recognize those mistakes and learn from them, the better. If you’re frustrated with the game of blackjack, you may just need to adjust your expectations. But if you’re not sure why it seems so difficult, try looking at the game differently. Good blackjack tutorials explain the details of each strategy in clear, simple language. Take a moment to understand why experts play the game the way they do. When you enjoy the game, win and lose as much as expected, you are on the right path.
