Play Better Blackjack – Blackjack Myths debunked
Like most casino games, a lot of B.S. surrounds the game of blackjack. Believing in many of the common Blackjack myths can make you lose, and lose big! Novice players tend to be the most gullible and fall for them or have strangely superstitious views on their chances, so here’s a few debunked.
Myth #1: The goal of blackjack is to get as close to a total of 21 as possible
No! This is definitely not the objective of the game. Your main goal is to beat the dealer’s hand. There is a big difference! Play to your hand – AND the dealers.
If you’re playing tournament blackjack, player-on-player like at Get21.com, the real game objective (if you want to make money) is to accumulate the most chips at the table – to do this you need to draw out your opponents bets – much more like Texas Hold’em poker strategy.
Myth #2: The dealer is hot (or cold)
In simple terms, you think you’re winning if the cards are running in your favour. But the “dealer” (or system) is against you when you are losing. Dealers simply follow casino rules on blackjack and they don’t have a choice on what to do, but you have. The same applies to online blackjack – the casino software is programmed to deal cards based on a set of well defined rules. Believing in a “hot run” from a dealer is a sign of frustration, or simply a characteristic of a blackjack player who trusts in “lady luck”.
Myth #3: In multiplayer blackjack, players joining a table in the middle of the game can make you lose.
This is more superstition than based on statistical outcomes. If a player getting into the game or leaving the game changes the way YOU play you may well lose – but its not because of anything they or the dealer have done. Keep focussed on your own game!
Myth #4: You are entitled to win (and soon!)
If you ever think that as the dealer has won eight consecutive times then its “your turn” or that “you are entitled to win the next round”; you’re an idiot. Sorry, I really mean you should focus on your game (or give up and play on the slots machines 🙂 ).
Myth #5: Big bucks can be made playing Blackjack
Myths 1-4 above relate to players who want quick wins without putting in the effort. Be patient, watch, listen and learn. Successful Blackjack players draw on both skill and luck. Try out the various published game strategies available and develop a blackjack system that works for you. Play lots of blackjack hands, try a few different blackjack game variants to see what you like and don’t – and read the game rules! Not all blackjack games have the same odds and payouts (ie the chances of you winning and winning best value for your bet).
Myth #6: Online blackjack is nothing like playing BJ in a real casino
Get over yourself! If you’re struggling to equate in-the-flesh blackjack play with the experience you get online we suggest you try the Microgaming Gold Series Blackjacks available at Blackjack Ballroom. It is ultra-realistic, complete with slinky card turns, and is by far the most graphically realistic blackjack on the net short of Live Dealer Casinos.
Our favourite Live Dealer Blackjack is at savvy Irish casino, DublinBet.com. If you’re hankering to join in a blackjack game at a real casino table, but can’t leave home, this web-cast live dealer game is the best on the net for realism. (You can even hear how the ‘luck of the Irish’ is running in the background – games are live 24×7 from The Fitzwilliam Card Club and Casino in central Dublin, Ireland!)
For beginners and purists we recommend the single deck classic blackjack at Blackjack Ballroom, blackjack surrender (any version) should be avoided and never take insurance!
A new blackjack game that may help you refine your skills is called Early Payout Blackjack. In this game you get the choice to ‘take the money and run’ at each stage of the hand. The amount you are offered is based on the statistical chances of your hand beating the dealer’s hand. You can only play this game at DublinBet.com but it’s well worth a look.
Good luck at the tables!
Mike
Add comment February 9th, 2007