Myths of BlackjackThere's a wealth of information available on the web to help you excel at blackjack, from "win-win" tips from experienced gamblers to peculiar urban legends that, for a variety of reasons, have become true for many.
If you really want to be a good player, the first thing you need to do is find out what is true and what is not. Here are eight of the most famous blackjack myths and their refutations.
Myth #1: The goal of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible
The most common mistake beginners make. Yes, the number 21 and blackjack are synonymous. At one time there was even a movie made about the game called "Twenty-One". But remember: your job is not to get as close to 21 as possible, your job is to beat the casino dealer!
To do this, you must score more points than the dealer, or get the dealer to have an "overshoot". Why is this so important? Because it's a fundamental rule of blackjack strategy. Trying to get any closer to 21 in most cases will lead to busting and ultimately bankrupt your bankroll. Remember, 16 or 17 points is most often enough to win.
Myth #2: Constantly thinking that the next dealer's card will be a 10
One of the most well-known myths about blackjack is to always remember the probability that the dealer's next card will be a 10. Many people think of this as a kind of over-insurance, as there are too many cards in the deck that bring 10s (tens, jacks, queens and kings). If you follow this logic, it turns out that if, for example, the dealer has a nine, then the reversed card is bound to be a ten. Thus, the sum of his points will be 19.
Relying on that is a big mistake. In a deck of 52 cards, 16 cards have a value of 10. Thus, the chances of the dealer losing a 10 are only 31 percent versus 69 percent. So it's better to stick to a basic blackjack strategy that will tell you what to do, based on your cards and the dealer's open card.
Myth #3: Betting insurance can save you money
Have you ever wondered when you should insure a bet? The correct answer is never! Remember, this is one of the worst things you can do when playing blackjack. Insurance is an extra bet that a player can make if the dealer has his first open card, an ace. If the dealer scores 21 points, the player loses his game bet, but is paid 2 to 1 insurance.
It has already been said above that the dealer's odds of getting the next ten cards is 31%. So in most cases betting insurance will be a waste of money, although at first glance it may seem like quite an attractive proposition.
Myth #4: "Pictures" fall out one by one
Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? However, there are enough players who believe that one picture card (king, queen, jack) is bound to be followed by another. You don't even need to prove anything here - this judgement is wrong!
Myth #5: Other players at the table can affect your play
Some people believe that if another player at the table makes bad decisions, it will disrupt the game and directly affect their strategy. In fact, a bad player doesn't mathematically affect the outcome even in the short term. Yes, he may take a card that could be good for you, but it could also happen the other way around! So just ignore the other players at the table and focus on your game.
Myth #6: Standing on the "soft" 18 (ace and seven)
Although 18 is a good hand, standing with it isn't always the best decision. If the dealer has a weak hand (such as a three, four, five, or six), doubling the bet may pay off. Of course, this move doesn't guarantee you 100% winnings, but the chance to play the dealer's weak hand is one of the keys to a successful blackjack game.
Myth #7: You must avoid "overdoing it"
This may seem reasonable, but it is unlikely to have a positive effect on your game. This strategy looks overly cautious and significantly reduces your chances of winning. Yes, the probability of "overshooting" with 12 in hand is quite high, but if you categorically don't take a card in this situation, you will only increase your casino advantage.
Myth #8: Blackjack is all about luck
Many players believe that winning at blackjack is a matter of luck, and there is nothing you can do to increase your chances of winning. In fact, every decision you make at the table directly affects the outcome. Of course, you'll never be able to predict which card of the deck will appear next, but familiarity with basic gambling strategies based on mathematical principles will greatly improve your results.
Well, it's time to put what you've learned into practice. Try your hand at one of the blackjack tables at the online casinos on our list.
