Losing money at the blackjack table can be frustrating, especially when simple mistakes are the cause. Many players make avoidable errors like taking insurance, misplaying splits, or missing the right opportunities to double down. Fortunately, these mistakes are easy to correct with the right knowledge. This article highlights seven common blackjack mistakes and shows you how to avoid them to improve your game.
What Is the Biggest Mistake Blackjack Players Make?
The biggest mistake players make when playing blackjack is to deviate from basic strategy. Without a clear strategy based on probabilities and statistics, players are left to guess on what move to make, or go with their “gut feeling”.
Biggest mistakes that beginners make in blackjack:
- Not using basic strategy.
- Making decisions based on ‘gut feeling’ instead of probabilities.
- Failing to know when to hit, stand, split, or double down.
- Not using a strategy card to eliminate these mistakes.
Why Is Accepting Insurance a Bad Bet in Blackjack?
Insurance is a bad bet due to its value and the fact that it doesn’t protect your hand – it is a bet on the dealer’s potential blackjack hand.
The odds are against you – there are nine cards that if turned would mean the dealer does NOT have blackjack, and 4 cards that would give the dealer blackjack. Casinos realize that players play on emotion and not statistics, and offer worse odds than the actual probability of the dealer having blackjack.
Taking the insurance bet is poor value and a losing bet that will cost you more money than you can potentially earn.
Should You Always Split a Pair in Blackjack?
Splitting pairs can be powerful, but with power comes responsibility – only split pairs to make a hand stronger. Splitting can put you in an incredible position to beat the dealer with two hands, but it can also put you in a worse position if you split a good pair when it doesn’t make sense.
When Is It Right to Split Aces or Eights?
It is always a good idea to split Aces and Eights, it turns two average hands into two stronger hands.
- Splitting Aces turns a pair of 1s or a 12 into two 11s that can be used to try hit to 21 on two hands.
- Splitting Eights can mean you avoid hard 16 – a hand that is difficult to stand on and not likely to win, and also likely to bust if you take a hit.
By splitting the two 8s you get two hands to capitalize on and try get close to 21.
What About Splitting Sixes, Sevens, or Face Cards?
Splitting Sixes and Sevens is good if the dealer has a 2 through to a 6 as you can use two hands to capitalize on the dealer’s weak position.
Avoid splitting Face Cards, they have the value of 10 and give you a total of 20, a great hand to beat the dealer with. Splitting Tens can give you two poor hands like a 13 and a 16 for example, that could result in two bust hands! Keep the 20 and beat the dealer with it.
When Should You Double Down in Blackjack?
The best times to double down are when you hold a strong hand and the dealer shows a poor hand. The most common example is when you have 11, and the dealer has a low card (five or six). The odds suggest you are in a strong position, so doubling your bet can increase your winnings in the long-run.
What Are the Best Situations to Double Down?
- When you have 11 and the dealer shows a weak card (4, 5, or 6).
- When you have 10 and the dealer shows a weak card (4, 5, or 6).
- When you have 9 and the dealer shows a weak card (3 through 6).
What Are the Risks of Doubling Down at the Wrong Time?
Doubling down at the wrong time can cost you more than just your original bet. If you double down when the dealer has a high card, like a 10 or an ace, you risk losing twice as much, especially if you don’t draw a strong card.
Doubling down on weak hands, or when the dealer has a clear advantage, increases the house’s edge and can lead to bigger losses.
How Much Does Bad Blackjack Pay Affect Your Winnings?
Bad payouts significantly reduce your overall winnings. Playing blackjack online where the table rules are optimized to lower house edge is preferable.
- The standard blackjack payout is 3:2, meaning you win $15 for every $10 bet.
- Many tables offer a 6:5 payout, where you only win $12 for every $10 bet.
- This difference may seem small, but over time, it adds up, causing you to lose more money on winning hands.
Always look for tables offering 3:2 payouts to maximize your returns.
What Is the Difference Between 6:5 and 3:2 Blackjack Payouts?
A blackjack table that pays out at 6:5 means that for every $5 you bet, the casino will give you $6 for a winning blackjack hand. With a 3:2 payout, it means the casino will give you $3 for every $2 you bet.
With a 6:5 paying table, a $10 bet will only give you $12 in winnings, compared to 3:2 paying tables where $10 will win you $15. Over time and with bigger stakes, that difference really adds up. Avoid 6:5 paying blackjack tables where possible.
| Payout Type | Bet Amount | Winning Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 6:5 | $10 | $12 |
| 3:2 | $10 | $15 |
How Do Table Rules Influence Your Chances?
Table rules influence your chances because poor table rules increase the house edge, meaning that you will lose more money the longer you play for.
What Blackjack Rules Favor Players the Most?
Look for tables with rules where blackjack pays 3:2, where you can double down on any two cards, and where you can double down again after splitting pairs. Another favorable rule is the dealer standing on a soft 17 and limiting their chances of improving their hand.
What Blackjack Rules Should You Avoid?
Avoid tables that pay out at 6:5 for blackjack, along with those that limit your options to double down and split. Also avoid tables where the dealer hits on soft 17. Following these rules ensure the house edge remains low – in your favor.
Can You Fix Blackjack Mistakes With a Strategy Card?
Most blackjack mistakes come from not knowing proper basic strategy. Players will often hit on hands like 17 in the hope of getting closer to 21, when basic strategy would advise them not to, A strategy card has basic strategy and all the correct moves laid out, all you have to do is follow it.
How Does a Strategy Card Improve Your Blackjack Game?
A strategy card takes the guesswork out of blackjack. It shows the statistically correct move for every situation, whether you’re holding a soft hand, a hard hand, or a pair.
A strategy card ensures that you’re always making the optimal decision, which reduces losses over time and increases your chances of winning. You can buy one for about $1 or find printable versions online for free.
What Other Blackjack Strategies Can Help You Win More?
Blackjack strategies go beyond basic play and can include techniques like card counting, bankroll management, and choosing the right tables. Learning advanced strategies will not only help reduce the house edge but also increase your chances of walking away with a profit.
How Do Variations Like Blackjack Switch or Spanish 21 Affect Strategy?
Variations like Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21 require different strategies due to rule changes.
- In Blackjack Switch, for example, players can swap cards between two hands, which changes the decision-making process.
- Spanish 21 removes the 10s from the deck, which alters your odds and requires adjustments to basic strategy.
Understanding these rule changes is key to succeeding in variant games.
What Are Some Common Casino Myths About Blackjack?
Common myths, like the idea that blackjack is “due” for a win after a losing streak or that a “hot” dealer can’t lose, mislead players and lead to poor decisions. Often known as the “gamblers fallacy” is where the player thinks they are “due” a win, and stray from basic strategy or risk more on their bet than they should do.
Another myth is that using a strategy card slows the game and irritates the dealer. In reality, the dealer doesn’t mind, and following a strategy card is one of the smartest ways to play.
Where Can You Learn Advanced Blackjack Strategies?
You can learn advanced blackjack strategies through a variety of resources, such as books, online courses, or even practice with strategy simulators. Additionally, our existing guide on “Is Blackjack Beatable: Can You Beat the House?” explores house edges and offers insights into improving your game. Many online platforms offer free lessons on card counting and strategy refinement to help you get started.
