Learning to play blackjack at a table in a land-based casino is a great deal more difficult than trying to learn online. Not only do you feel the pressure from the players around you but there is also pressure exerted by the dealer.
You might also feel shy or embarrassed if you‘re not totally familiar with the rules or etiquette and this can drastically affect your chances of winning.
Playing online from the comfort of your own home or office makes it easier.
You can also play unlimited amounts of free practice blackjack on numerous free play sites such as
blackjackinfo.com
or play for free at one of the many internet casinos such as Riverbelle
UK Online Casino before placing any real bets.
- There are a number of things that players of any level can do to help their chances at the blackjack table. Here is a selection of tips to help give you more fun and extend your time at the table:
- The most important Blackjack tip of all: remember - the object of all
blackjack games is to beat the dealer.
The object of the game is not simply to get as close to 21 as possible.
- You can't always win at blackjack. Losing is part of the game – accept it. Don’t get phased by losses. Don’t dwell on what happened in the previous hand - move onto the next.
- In choosing a Blackjack table, consider rule variations that can work to your advantage like the option of doubling down on any two cards, or the dealer having to stand on soft 17, even if you do not totally understand them.
Find a table whose minimum is no more than 5% of your total bankroll.
- Start with the basics. The dealer has to hit on any hand 16 or lower, you can never win with less than 17 unless the dealer busts.
Take a hit on any hand below 17 when the dealer shows ace, K, Q, J, 10, 9, or 8 as they are unlikely to make the dealer bust.
Stand on any hand above 11 when the dealer shows the dealer busting cards 4, 5 or 6 - cards that will lead then dealer to bust more than 40% of the time.
- Take insurance only if you have a gut feeling that the dealer has blackjack, or if you are card counting and aware of the cards remaining in the deck. Many players actually advise against the need to ever take insurance.
- Blackjack "Doubling down" involves doubling your bet and receiving one additional Blackjack card when your strongly suspect that you'll beat the dealer by doing so. This important option is the player's main advantage.
Double with 10 against a 9 or lower and with any hand of 11. Rules permitting, double with 9, or with "soft" hands (hands that count an ace as 11) of 13-17 against a 4, 5, or 6.
- If you are dealt two Blackjack cards of the same value, you may "split" them, doubling your bet and playing two Blackjack hands. Common advice is to never split face cards, 10's or 5's.
Always split 8's or 7's against a dealer's card of equal or lower value. Always split 2's or 3's against a 4, 5, or 6. Always split aces.
- Know when to call it a day. A winning streak on a blackjack table cannot last forever and good players even when they are still winning know when to walk away. Set a table limit for yourself.
If you find yourself losing, take a break, save your remaining cash and live to fight another day.