Blackjack Mistakes:  The Typical Big Five Blunders

Blackjack MistakesBlackjack mistakes are seldom talked about.  This isn’t due to a lack of interest in the game; blackjack is one of the most popular of all the online casino games.  However, when people talk about the game, they usually discuss the different ways to “beat the dealer.”  While it’s true that there are ways that players can lower the house advantage and increase their odds of winning, there are also plenty of mistakes that can be made and these can lead to a string of losses.  This is why we’ve compiled a short list of the most common blackjack mistakes made by novice players.  Simply by avoiding these blunders, players can substantially improve their chances for success.

Blackjack Mistakes Involving the Dealer

Following the Dealer: One of the most common of all the blackjack mistakes made at the tables is to mimic the dealer.  Some players mistakenly think that if a certain action is good for the dealer then it must be good for them as well.  This can be a very unprofitable path to follow.  Copying the dealer basically involves always drawing cards to a 17 and then standing on any number beyond this.  It also means that you would never split your hand or double down.  Playing according to this faulty strategy has been shown to give the house a 5.48% edge.

Hitting 13 on a Dealer’s 4: Whenever the dealer’s hand is weak it’s almost never a good idea to hit.  This is particularly true dealer’s hand contains a 4. When this happens, the dealer has no other choice but to draw another card, and this makes them vulnerable.  If you want to avoid making a very common blackjack mistake, put pressure on the dealer by standing whenever they are holding a 4.

Dealer Shows a 10, You Stand on 16: Another common blackjack mistake occurs when players feel that if they hit on a 16, they are bound to lose.  The truth is, when you’re in that position, you’re probably going to lose whether you hit or stand.  This is particularly true if the deal is showing a 10.  When this happens you’re far better off taking a leap of faith and hoping for the best.  Sure, you’ll probably go bust, but isn’t it better to take a chance than go down without a fight?

General Blackjack Mistakes

The Insurance Ploy: Once of the biggest of all the blackjack mistakes is taking insurance.  It sounds like a great option to novice players (insurance is supposed to keep you safe, right?), but experienced blackjack players would never take this option. When it comes to blackjack, insurance isn’t actually “insurance.”  Instead, it is a distinct wager based on the dealer having blackjack.  It has a house edge of 7.4%.

Counting Cards: Counting cards is a tried and tested way to reduce the house edge and increase your odds of winning.  When done properly, it’s a highly effective blackjack strategy.  But, when done incorrectly, the results can be devastating.  You need only fumble on one calculation to render the strategy completely ineffective.  Blackjack mistakes such as this one can be easily avoided simply by being realistic when it comes one’s skill level.

Blackjack can be a great choice if you’re looking for a game that offers a lot of winning potential.  Just keep these typical blackjack mistakes in mind when you head to the tables and you be on the right path!