Blackjack is a timeless casino game that is beloved by many avid gamblers around the world. It has quite a few rules but once you get your head around them, gameplay can be extremely fun and straightforward!
Nowadays, playing online blackjack or a game of Blackjack in a land-based casino can make you feel like you’re in a James Bond movie. Add in a single shaken (not stirred) martini and you’ve got the perfect casino experience.
Yet even with an understanding of basic gameplay and rules, you won’t always be on a winning streak with Blackjack. And if you get a little too confident, you are also at risk of making some bad decisions. This means you must be cautious about every move you make.
Here are 5 do’s and don’ts for Blackjack.
1. Do Understand Basic Rules and Strategies Before You Play
This is arguably the most important rule you need to adhere to. Without a basic knowledge of the rules of the game, or how to make successful moves, you won’t achieve much (or any) success!
The basic premise of Blackjack is that you want to have a hand with an overall value that is much closer to 21 than that of the dealer. You want to do this all without exceeding 21 points.
If you want to win some real money and beat the dealer, the trick is to have obtained a solid understanding of the basic rules and strategies of the game such as when to split, when to double down, when to stand, and when to surrender.
Knowing these simple yet important moves will drastically increase your chances of winning.
2. Don’t Bet Too Much Money
Before you do anything, you need to know what your betting limits are. Blackjack is a highly addictive game once you’ve grasped the rules so you must take the extra steps to keep yourself safe.
If you’re unfamiliar with the game, you should start by betting small amounts of money each day and sticking to your bankroll. After all, it’s pretty easy to get carried away when you play!
Not only does this keep you in control of your actions but it also means you’re more likely to avoid losing your money in a single sweep.
You can even try free games in an online casino before you bet your money! This is great for keeping you confined to the limits of your bankroll while still allowing you to enjoy playing a game of Blackjack.
3. Do Learn To Read Cards
You need to understand the value of each card before you can read it. They are as follows:
- Jack, Queen, and King all count as 10
- An Ace is either a 1 or an 11 (depending on the dealer)
- All cards from 2 to 10 have a face value
You don’t need to be extremely skilled to count cards in a game of Blackjack. All you need to do is analyze your and the dealer’s cards and remember those that were already dealt and those still in the deck.
You should avoid reading your own cards. In this situation, you might think that you know exactly what the dealer holds when in actuality, you’re making a huge error! To succeed, you must consider both the card and the suit when reading your cards.
4. Don’t Play When You’re Drunk
Alcohol affects everyone differently. However, it always has an impact on people’s inhibitions. This is an especially bad thing if you are gambling as you’re playing with real money on the line.
Overall, being drunk while playing Blackjack can cause you to make many painfully poor decisions about the hand you’ve been dealt, and your next move.
If you’re planning a trip to the Blackjack table, virtual or not, make sure you’re sober — or that you limit yourself to only a couple of drinks. There’s nothing wrong with a light beverage or two to create more of an atmosphere.
As long as you know your limits and keep your head in the game, you’ll remain on track to see some success in a game of Blackjack!
5. Do Play An Honest Game
Like any other casino game, we’d strongly advise playing Blackjack properly and avoiding using any cheating tactics. This will make the game that bit more exciting and will also keep you on your toes.
When you change any of the conditions of the game such as using a computer to accurately count cards, you are actively cheating in a game of Blackjack. This also applies if you’re altering the size of your bets once you have seen all of your cards.
You may think that it’s a fun way to make some cash but the main issue is that cheating in any casino is a crime. Trying to gain an illegal edge over the house is truly not worth the criminal record!
Summary
Hopefully, after reading these 5 do’s and don’ts for Blackjack, you now understand more about how to approach this iconic casino game. And remember, there are no secrets to becoming good at Blackjack aside from practicing whenever you can!
