There is no doubt that most blackjack players play at a casino with the aim of winning. Whether you are new to the game or a pro, there are many things that you can do to maximise your chances of winning at blackjack and avoid costly playing mistakes.
The first thing you should do is get familiar with basic strategy and understand the odds of a hand. You can find a great deal of information on this topic in books, magazines and websites. You can also practice by using a free online blackjack game. While it won’t give you the same experience as playing at a real casino, you can learn how to play correctly and minimize the house edge.
When you are deciding whether to hit or stand, make sure that you look at the dealer’s card and your own cards. If you have a total of eleven or less, hitting is usually the best move. The only risk is that you could bust, but you should remember that the dealer is also vulnerable to going over 21.
Keeping an eye on the dealer’s card is important, but you should not let your emotions drive your decision-making. If you are feeling upset or angry, you may not be thinking clearly and that can lead to a costly playing mistake. Similarly, playing after drinking alcohol or after a long day at work can also affect your concentration and lead to costly mistakes.
Another common mistake is making an insurance wager. This is a sucker bet because it is basically betting that the dealer has a ten-value downcard to go with his or her Ace upcard, which will make a blackjack and give you a winning insurance payout of 2-1. If you have a good blackjack strategy, you should always decline the insurance bet.
When it comes to splitting, the general rule is that you should split 8s and aces. This will improve your chances of winning significantly, especially if you are dealt an ace or 8 as one of your two starting cards. In addition, you should never split tens as this will reduce your overall winning potential.
Double-down plays should be limited to very specific situations, such as a starting total of 11 or fewer, when it is likely that the dealer will go bust. It is also a good idea to double down when you are confident that your hand can beat the dealer’s upcard. However, you should be careful not to double down too often or you will end up losing money in the long run.
The most important tip to remember is that your playing decisions should be based on mathematical probabilities, rather than emotions or the past results of other hands. If you are unable to make these decisions based on probability, you should be able to reduce your losses by avoiding the most common blackjack mistakes. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful blackjack player.
