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› 10 Mistakes to Avoid

Going to Vegas? Don't be a Rookie at the Blackjack Table.

Blackjack is the most popular table game at the casino and for good reason. It's fast, easy to learn and the pick of choice for novice gamblers because the basics are easy to learn and is usually the first table game people play.

My first time playing blackjack at the tables in a casino were an eye opener. I had played online before, new the basic terminology and was a bit cocky. I would take a hit when I had 14 and the dealer had a 3 showing. Mistakes like this made me unpopular as I was ruining the "flow" at the table. If I took unnecessary cards and people after me at the table busted out, they blamed me for taking their cards and making them lose. Not cool.

I took one look at a strategy card and said forgetabouit. There's got to be an easier way. So came up with a list of actions that you should NOT do when playing blackjack. Stick to these and you won't look like a rookie at the table, and can enjoy the game more without worrying if you are pissing off the guy sitting next to you. If your going to Vegas, do yourself a favor and take 5 minutes to read through these. You'll thank me later.

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid

1. Hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 through 21.
This seems like the right thing to do since the dealer always seems to win. The problem is that it doesn't factor in one very important point about the game. If you bust (go over 21) and the dealer subsequently busts you still lose.
2. Standing on soft 18 when the dealer shows a 9, 10, or ace.
This makes sense to a lot of people. 18 is a pretty good hand so most people don't want to risk hitting. The problem is that 18 isn't good enough when the dealer shows a 9, 10, or ace. The dealers chance of getting better than 18 is actually quite high.
3. Standing with a pair of 8's (16) when the dealer shows a 10.
With this you may feel like you are set to lose and may be reluctant to put out more money and split with the possibility of losing two hands. However, by splitting you will have two hands starting with a total of 8 which is a hell of a lot better than one hand starting with 16.
4. Standing with soft 17.
Most players mistakenly believe you should always stand on 17. That's true if you have a hard 17 but not true if it's a soft 17 (a soft 17 is a hand that contains an ace counted as 11). If you are dealt an ace, 6 (or ace, 2, 4) you should never stand. With a soft hand you can hit and will not bust with one draw card because the ace can count as a 1.
5. Hitting on 12 though 16 when the dealer shows a 2 through 6.
This is a fairly basic strategy that is not known by most casual players. You may feel like you have a week hand. But when the dealer shows a 2 through 6, they will have a high chance of busting. So resist the urge to hit.
6. Splitting 10's when the dealer shows a 5 or 6.
Many players believe you should split 10's when the dealer has a weak 5 or 6 up card because if he busts you'll win on two hands rather than one. The fact is that you will win much more by standing on 20 against a dealers 5 or 6 then you will with a 10 against a 5 or 6. Always stand with the pair of 10's
7. Taking the insurance when holding a 20 or a blackjack.
Players with a 20 are afraid of losing to a dealer's blackjack so they opt for the insurance as a way to prevent a loss. Likewise, they usually opt for the sure even money when they hold a blackjack. These plays will cost you more money in the long run when you take the insurance or even money compared when you don't. The best play is to not take insurance or even money when you have these hands.
8. Not doubling on 11 against dealer 10 up card.
The fear is that the dealer is holding a 20 so most players will chicken out on doubling. If you hit the 11 instead of doubling you will win more than half the time.
9. Never doubling down on soft hands.
Many players do not know that they can double down on any two-card hand including those that contain the ace. When the dealer shows a 5 or 6 you are better off doubling down on ALL soft hands from 13 through 18 rather than hit. This is a play that will gain you more money in the long run compared to hitting.
10. Doubling your bets because you are due to win.
Many people believe that since blackjack is almost a 50-50 proposition if they lose several hands in a row, they are due to win the next hand. Unfortunately the chances of winning the next hand has nothing to do with the win/lose history of previous hands. That's it, don't double your bets because you feel you are due to win.

So there you have it. 10 of the most common mistakes made by novice blackjack players. No need to memorize a complicated strategy chart. Follow, um I mean, don't follow these mistakes and you can extend your play at the table and not look like a total newbie in the process.