Five Blackjack myths debunked
When it comes to casino games, Blackjack is among the most popular. It’s easy to learn, has a low house edge and when you’re bored of the classic game, there are plenty of variations out there to pique your interest. But there are many misconceptions surrounding Blackjack and if you're a newbie, you're likely to believe that they are true. To settle the debate, we’re going to talk about a few of them and debunk any potential myths.
1. The aim is to get as close to 21 as you can
This is one of the most common myths. The aim is to beat the dealer, whether you beat him because he’s gone bust (over 21 points), or you’ve scored more points than him. In essence, if you land a 'natural' Blackjack (21 points from your two cards), it puts you in good stead for the win. But if you play a hand intending to get 21, then chances are, you’ll go bust and never win.
2. Avoid games where the dealer is ‘hot’ and choose tables with ‘cold’ dealers
It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing in a brick-and-mortar casino or playing Blackjack online, winning and losing streaks will occur. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the receiving end of either, there’s no concrete way of knowing when your luck will change. Some players believe if they’re playing against a dealer who’s riding that winning wave, they’ll never beat them. But it’s not true. Even if you lost three hands in a row, there’s no guarantee you’ll win the next one, or go on to win three consecutive hands. Winning and losing is always down to the cards and your strategy.
3. The dealer always has a 10 in the hole
Because four different cards have a value of 10 (10 and the face cards: Jack, Queen, and King), some players believe that it’s likely the dealer’s hole card will have a value of 10. Mathematically speaking, there are 16 cards in a deck with a value of 10, or roughly speaking, 30%. Meaning it’s more likely that the dealer has a card that isn’t worth 10, or speaking in percentages, a 70% chance. Instead of assuming, stick with a basic strategy that will tell you what moves to make.
4. Always accept an insurance bet
Insurance is a side bet, which pays even money (or 2:1) when the dealer is holding an ace. As mentioned, many believe that the dealer’s hole card is always a 10. With that in mind, if the dealer holds an ace, they should have a natural Blackjack and you’d be stupid not to take them up on their offer, right? Wrong. It’s a move that inexperienced players make all too often. If insurance is taken up and the dealer hasn’t got a Blackjack, then the bet is lost. Taking insurance also increases the house edge, which in the long run means you’ll never make a profit.
5. Progressive systems will increase your chance of winning
Progressive betting systems are used in many casino games and the idea is to double your bets with every loss until you win. The reverse strategy suggests doubling your bets with every win until you lose. But, the thing about these systems is that if you haven’t got the bankroll, it soon adds up. Not only does utilising these systems have an impact on your chances of winning, but they also won’t do anything to alter the house edge. The odds of winning a hand are not dependent on your previous hands, which is one of the main reasons why progressive systems don’t work.
There you have it – some food for thought when you’re next at a table. What other misconceptions have you heard that definitely aren’t true? Leave us a comment below.
