Blackjack is one of the very popular forms of casino games around the world. This game is a pretty simple one to learn. However, in casino games, learning the game is not enough always. You need to understand the strategies properly to start playing. At least if you want to win a few hands. However, we are not going to teach you how to play blackjack. Instead, we are going to talk about ten things about blackjack that you have always wanted to know. So, here we start.
Variations of Blackjack game
There are different types of Blackjack games. Although the basic rules are the same, different types of blackjack games may have different sets of secondary rules. The most popular blackjack game is the classic blackjack where the player will win if the card total equals to 21 but does not exceed that. In progressive blackjack, the player has an additional $1 bet to win the game. Other rules are all the same. European Blackjack, however, different from the classic blackjack, is played with two decks only. There are different kinds of blackjack games too.
Rules that reduces the house edge
The fundamental rules of a blackjack game are the same as that of other games. However, the secondary rules change in different kind of games. Some of the secondary rules help the casinos, whereas some help the players. So here are some rules that can help you to lower house edge:
- Blackjack pays 3 to 2 or better. Dealer stands on soft 17.
- Players can split pairs four or more times.
- Players can split aces four or more times.
- Players can double after a split.
- Surrender.
Side Bets Stuck
Some blackjack games offer side bets. Most of these side bets are designed with a higher house edge than the regular blackjack games. However, side bets are not always beneficial, because, in most of the cases, the side bets are at higher house edge than the regular game. Some of the popular side bets in blackjack game are:
- Over 13 or Under 13
- Perfect pairs
- Bonanza Blackjack
- Royal 20’s
- Royal match
- Bet the set
Things to keep in mind in Blackjack
Counting cards is legal
Some casinos will not let you count cards. If they think that you are counting cards, they will not let you play. However, counting cards is not illegal until you are doing that inside your head. However, you cannot use an electrical device or something; you can count cards inside your head. However, it is not a simple thing to do, but a lot of players have mastered it as they are playing for a long time. Well, casinos are private businesses so, they can stop you from playing anytime, and for any reason.
Camouflage
If you are counting cards, you better be doing anything to stop the casinos from figuring out what you are doing. This is an art called camouflage. Casinos normally figure out card counters if they raise their bets when the card count is in their favor. Some casinos do that themselves; some others have computer programs for doing that. So, don’t jump big when it is in your favor. Raise your bets progressively bigger instead of jumping from small bets to bigger ones. You can also make the team with other players on the table to count cards.
Never take insurance
An insurance is a pretty bad bet until the card count is heavily in your favor. Many players look at insurance as the bet that can help them lose less. Anyhow, the insurance bet has nothing to do with the player’s hand. It is a bet if the dealer’s down card is ten or face card. If the dealer’s card is an ace face up, they offer insurance to the players where they can place a bet half of their original bet. When the dealer’s card is a ten-value down, the insurance bet pays 2 to 1. That means the player loses the wager and win double of the insurance bet instead.
Never play with less than 3 to 2 blackjack payouts
Finding a blackjack game that has paid lesser than 3 to 2 is hard. However, casinos have started offering games that pay only 6 to 5 for blackjacks. A blackjack game offering 6 to 5 will increase the house edge with 1.39% over one. It pays 3 to 2. This, with all the favorable rules mentioned above, is a bad game. So, if you only get a blackjack game that pays 3 to 2 or worse, consider playing something else in someplace else.
The low house edge will not mean Lower Bankroll
If you know the game well and you are using the best strategy, you may get the house edge in your favor. However, that does not mean that this is going to be your best game. Small house edge does not necessarily mean smaller bankroll. Most of the gambling games are great to deal in the short term. That means you can win or lose in the short term irrespective of the house edge. Thus, your bankroll has to be large enough to ride out the short-term variance. Make sure you have a bankroll to cross the short-term variances because, in the long term, the most experienced ones have losing streaks too.
The dealer might be your friend
It does not happen mostly; however, in some cases, the dealer does things to help you. However, they will not tell you how to play your cards or not going to help you with the rules, but sometimes all you need to do is to understand what the dealer is trying to tell you with his actions.
Get Comped
Sign up for the players’ club, and you can receive comps to keep playing despite your long-term losses. These comps often offer you free meals, free rooms, show tickets or flights. This way you get a percentage of your money back.
These were a few things you might need to know about a blackjack game. Go find a table and start playing now.