Blackjack is a challenging game to master, and even seasoned players occasionally fall victim to traps. Although perfect strategy and card counting can increase your success, it’s still possible to lose focus or experience a run of bad luck. Contrary to what most players believe, the dealer is not the biggest obstacle at the table. In a game of 21, you are actually your own worst enemy. Try asking yourself some of the inquiries on this list if you don’t believe me. Everyone else still has a lot of work to do while those who consistently respond “no” are well on their way to becoming professional blackjack players.
Do you ever stray from fundamental principles?
If that’s the case, you’re denying yourself the best chance to consistently win. Basic strategy is a tried-and-true playing style that has been created to give the player the best chances of succeeding, regardless of the cards on the table. Depending on the game’s rules, the house advantage in blackjack is typically around 2%. However, the house odds are reduced to 0.5% when you use basic strategy. When multiplied by hundreds or thousands of hands, that 1.5% difference becomes more significant than it initially appears.
Have you ever heard of basic strategy?
A basic strategy is a set of rules that specify the best move to make for each kind of hand. Even though it doesn’t ensure success every time, it does raise your chances in general. If you’ve never heard of basic strategy, you’re probably not a good blackjack player (or at least a novice). Fortunately, this error can be easily fixed. In fact, reading the preceding sentence has already raised your station. Blackjack basic strategy charts are widely available online. The dealer’s possible up-cards are listed in a horizontal column, and the player’s total is listed in a vertical column. Simply find the correct sums for both columns during gameplay, and then check what the chart suggests. Standing or hitting might suffice, or the chart might suggest that you double down or split.
When playing blackjack, do you ever split 10s?
The fact that two 10s add up to 20 should be obvious if you have a basic understanding of mathematics. There is no point in splitting them because this ought to be strong enough to defeat the majority of dealer hands. If you do, the outcome is two hands that don’t add up to 20, plus you had to double your wager. Under the right conditions, splitting is a great strategy, but this isn’t one of them.
When playing blackjack, have you ever taken even money?
You will frequently be given the option to take even money if you get a blackjack and the dealer is showing an ace. Never choose this option. The likelihood of a push is 30.74% when the dealer is displaying an ace. That indicates that you have a 69.26% chance of getting a 3 to 2 payout on your blackjack. Reject the less-than-generous offer from the casino and stick to the percentages.
How frequently do you play when not at your best?
This is a mistake that new players frequently make, but even seasoned gamblers occasionally commit it. Even players who are proficient in card counting or basic strategy can make mistakes when they are sleep deprived because the human brain has its limitations. This also holds true for using drugs or alcohol, so I advise waiting a few hours before entering a GCash casino.
When the dealer reveals a 9, 10, or ace, do you ever choose to stand on a soft 18?
While doing this doesn’t necessarily make you a bad blackjack player, it does show that you have a lot to learn. The majority of players are content to take this total every time because 18 sounds reliable. Unfortunately, a dealer nine or ten will match or beat your 18 and an ace will always be your downfall. There are 24 cards in each 52-card deck that allow the dealer to tie or outscore your 18 when you add up all the ways you could lose. It’s a soft 18, so it’s better for you to take the blow. The worst that can happen is receiving a high card, and you can always turn the ace into a one to continue playing.
Have you ever resisted splitting a pair of eights when the dealer has two through ten cards on the table?
If the answer to that question is “yes,” you still have a lot to learn about the game. A total of 16 is not absurd, but it is also not insurmountable for the house. I know some players are hesitant to use strategies like splitting and doubling down, but doing so is what sets the men apart from the boys. Take the plunge if you’re ready to reach your blackjack puberty.
How frequently do you split two fives?
Why would you want two hands that start in this way when a hand made up entirely of fives is not the best scenario? The best strategy is to always treat a pair of fives as a ten and proceed from there. As a matter of fact, an ace will take you to 21, while any 10 will give you a respectable 20. If the dealer is showing a two through nine, I advise doubling down on a pair of fives if you want to be particularly cunning. An ace or ten card puts you in a position that will be difficult to overcome, as I mentioned in the sentence before.
Do you try to build a reputation as a successful player?
Have you ever gone into a casino and boasted to the staff about all the money you’ve been winning at blackjack? If that’s the case, you’ve made a critical mistake. The latter is especially true if your winnings came from a successful combination of card counting and perfect strategy. The casino is happy to have your business when they perceive you as a loser. But they’ll begin paying closer attention to your play when they believe you might actually pose a threat. It’s more likely that they’ll ask you to leave if you’re counting cards and consistently winning. After all, they have the right to bar anyone from receiving their services.
How frequently do you try to recover losses?
When you experience a significant loss at the blackjack table, you should calm down, take a deep breath, and continue to play according to your overall strategy. This advice is valid regardless of whether the defeat was brought on by player error or just bad luck. Your mind will become clouded by emotions and a desire to get your money back if you start chasing losses. You can’t think clearly when you’re doing this, and it makes it more likely that you’ll keep losing money (but with more money on the line). Regardless of the casino game you’re playing, you should never let your feelings interfere. If not, you’ll soon be returning home without anything.
A soft 17 is something you ever stand on?
Standing on a hard 17 is always a good idea, but doing so on a soft 17 (the one with the ace) is another story. In addition to avoiding standing on a soft 17, the same reasoning also holds true for any soft hand that equals 13 through 16. Regardless of the dealer’s total, this is still accurate. By making the call on a soft 17, you at least give yourself the opportunity to raise your hand up to 21. There is always a fallback option of counting the ace as one instead of eleven if the subsequent card pushes you over the edge. Taking a single card in this situation cannot possibly result in loss.
When playing blackjack, do you ever go over your allotted funds?
If your response is “yes,” you are a bad blackjack player as well as a bad gambler. The management of one’s bankroll is of utmost importance, and going to the ATM to get more money would be completely counterproductive. Whatever game you choose to play, it’s crucial to stop when your initial bankroll is exhausted. You run the risk of experiencing severe financial hardship if you don’t.
Conclusion
Nothing is wrong with having poor blackjack skills. Even professionals like Don Schlesinger and Tommy Hyland had to start from scratch. A blackjack player’s aptitude for learning new strategies and tactics makes the real difference between good and bad. A good player learns from their mistakes and works hard to avoid repeating them, whereas a bad player repeatedly engages in the same problematic behavior. I’m hoping that by responding to the questions above, any significant flaws in your game will be made clear. Once this has happened, you can start working on improving your play, which is difficult but ultimately rewarding.
