21 is your lucky number.
44 percent of Americans visited a casino in 2018. Many of them went to one of two games: slots or blackjack.
Blackjack is one of America’s most popular games because it is easy and cost-effective. You can earn thousands of dollars in just one game, without taking too much risk.
But before you head to the casino, you need to understand how to play blackjack. The game is not as simple as it looks. Here are nine blackjack tips for beginners.
Table of Contents
1. Learn the Lingo
Blackjack is sometimes called “Twenty One” because the object of the game is to reach 21 with your cards. The value is determined by the ranks of the cards.
Most ranks are the face value of the cards themselves. A card with a 4 on it is worth 4.
An ace can be worth 1 or 11. This is important because all Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10 points. These cards are called face cards.
The suit of the card is the little symbol that appears with the number. The four suits are clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades. The suits do not matter in most games of blackjack.
The best possible hand is called “the nuts”. It’s an ace with any ten-point card.
2. Understand How Blackjack Works
A hand of blackjack begins with each player making a bet. The dealer then gives each player two cards, including themselves. The players’ cards are dealt face-up, while the dealer has one card up and one down.
If you are at or close to 21, you can “stand”. This means that you will not accept any new cards.
If you need more cards to reach 21, you can “hit”. The dealer will give you another card face-up.
If the value of your cards exceeds 21, you “bust”. You lose the hand regardless of whether the dealer hits 21 or not.
You win your hand if you are closer to 21 than the dealer. If the dealer busts, you win the hand.
3. Split When Appropriate
If the dealer gives you two cards of the same value, you can “split” your hand. If they deal you a ten and a King, you can split.
This means you will have two separate hands that you can hit on. You will place a bet on that second hand. You can hit on one hand and stand on another.
You can win with one hand and lose with another. Splitting is a good strategy if you have enough chips and want a little risk. It can be hard to play split low cards, but you should split them anyway because you can make two high hands and win.
4. Double Down
When you double down, you double your bet and receive only one more card. If you bust, you lose both bets.
This is a risky strategy, but it can pay off with the right values in your hand. An ace can be a 1 or an 11, but if you bust, the ace becomes a 1. Doubling down will let you come close to 21 without busting.
If you have two low cards and your dealer has a low card, doubling down will prompt your dealer to keep hitting. This can cause them to exceed 21, and you will win your bet.
5. Understand Payouts
Most blackjack games pay 3 to 2. If you bet 50 dollars, you will receive 75 dollars from the dealer.
But some games pay at far lower amounts, like 6 to 5. If you bet 50 dollars, you only receive 60 dollars.
You should try to play at 3 to 2 whenever possible. Otherwise, you will need to keep playing in order to make a profit. The longer you play, the more likely you are to lose money.
6. Advanced Blackjack Tips
When considering your action, take a good look at the exposed cards. If there are many low cards, you are likely to receive a high card.
Card counting is illegal, and most casinos incorporate multiple decks into any game to make counting difficult. Nonetheless, you should keep in mind what cards have been dealt and what cards are left.
Most casinos require their dealers to draw to 16 and stand on 17. If you are at 18 through 20, you should stand.
Some games offer insurance when the dealer shows an ace. You place another bet equal to your original one. If the dealer gets a blackjack, you lose the original bet but receive money back on your second one.
Try to avoid insurance. The odds of the dealer having a blackjack are low, and they will have to keep drawing to make their hand.
7. Set a Strict Budget
Before you walk into the casino, decide how much money you want to gamble with. Do not take out any more than that amount. You should only take as much money as you can afford to lose.
Do not spend money on food or drinks. Do not consume any alcohol at all. Many people spend more money at the table while drunk.
Don’t play side bets. They are based on random chance, involving the cards you are dealt and the upturned card of the dealer. Though they pay large amounts, you will lose more money in the long run because there is no skill involved.
8. Visiting a Casino
A lot of casinos have extended hours if they are not open 24/7. Go to a casino when it is best for you. Decide how long you want to play, and leave when you reach that limit.
In addition to food and drinks, casinos charge for valet parking and other amenities. Avoid spending any money on these services. You can break even at the tables, only to be in the red because you spent all this other money.
If you don’t want to leave your home, you can gamble at your computer. The best Bitcoin casinos 2021 offer games comparable to live casinos.
9. Know the Signs of Gambling Addiction
Gambling is high-risk, high-reward. It can be intoxicating, especially after a big win. Most people can gamble without developing an addiction.
But gambling addiction can happen to anyone. The common signs include being preoccupied with gambling and chasing losses. If you start resorting to fraud to get more gambling money, you are developing an addiction.
Talk to a psychiatrist as soon as you notice signs of addiction. You can reach out to an anonymous helpline or support group as well.
Nine Essential Blackjack Tips
You can start playing blackjack and earn big bucks. But you have to be smart and follow the essential blackjack tips.
Get familiar with the game, including its lingo. Learn when to split and double down. Understand payouts and advanced strategy.
Gamble with only as much money as you can afford to lose. Spend only a certain amount of time gambling. If you gamble and can’t control yourself, seek help right away.
Get the blackjack tips you need to succeed. Follow our coverage for more gambling and financial guides.
