Blackjack is a fairly simple game on the surface where each round suffices of a relatively restricted few main choices: players can either hit, stay, double-down, split or surrender depending on what cards they are dealt and what type of table they’re sitting at. Yet still, despite these relatively simple rules of play the strategy behind both when and how to go about each round is the true key to success at the blackjack tables and the cause of many a downfall for players that are unprepared for what may come their way. In order to avoid some of the common mistakes yourself that have cost countless people thousands of dollars over the years consider carefully a few of these frequent problems players put themselves in so you can avoid them yourself while at the tables:
Playing Like the Dealer
While it may be tempting to take the same approach to each round that the House does (hitting anything 16 or below and staying on anything 17 or above) this tends to work against rather than for the player as it effectively eliminates many of the options available to players that can help give them a much needed advantage when the time is right. The tools of the double-down on a 10 or 11 and being able to split two bad hands (such as two aces or two eights) to potentially make two good hands are both value assets that are overlooked by playing like the house. Further, sometimes it’s a good idea to stand on a hand valued 12 to 16 if a dealer is showing a 3, 4, 5 or 6 due to the fact that chances are the dealer will go bust 40% of the time with these cards showing while you may simply knock yourself out otherwise by hitting. A good strategy is much more worth your while than simply following the House rules.
Splitting 10s
Even though it may seem like a good idea to split a 10 or face card if you think you have a good chance at beating the dealer strongly reconsider this action. You’ll be effectively giving up the second-best hand possible on an off-chance of still beating the dealer – something that just isn’t worth it unless you’re absolutely sure you’ll come out ahead.
Buying Insurance
Although it may be tempting to buy insurance when the dealer is showing an ace unless you’re an expert card counter this strategy tends to work against rather than for you simply due to the fact that you’ll more than likely lose the insurance bet on the off-chance that you’ll break even. In pure gambling terms this is a poor investment as it offer little return on your money and has a high risk associated with it, effectively draining your funds mid-game when you would be better off simply playing a second round to regain any lost funds on the off chance the dealer actually does somehow pull off a blackjack at the beginning.
