As with so many things in this world, people tend to believe that a mysterious favor can tip your chances if you stick to following some rituals, moves, and stories they probably picked up from a fortune cookie or read in a tabloid somewhere. The same goes for blackjack and the longer you play the game, the more you hear about strange and unusual tips and advice that should help you win the game.
As with urban legends, no one really knows the rationale or origins behind these blackjack superstitions and myths, but many players accept these beliefs as facts and even follow them with every blackjack session they play. Some even claim it actually works for them, but if you look really closely, these instances where these myths seem to work have only happened once or even twice – but mostly they failed miserably.
The following are some of the more widespread beliefs and myths circulating in many a blackjack table around the world. Players are advised to look closely at these superstitions and myths and see for themselves how a belief they learned as good advice could be the reason they lose significant amounts of money every time they play this game.
By Counting Cards, You Win Every Time
This is a serious misconception that even veterans of this game have fallen prey to. Card counting can and will increase your chances of winning, but it does not guarantee that you will win every hand. Even experienced card counting teams have to deal with losing runs. Therefore, the most successful teams only aim for certain goals in the number of hands they play.
Take Cash All The Time
95% of the time, players just take money when they get a blackjack, while the dealer’s up card is an ace. However, taking the risk can be worth it and there is solid mathematical evidence to back it up. The odds for a dealer to have a 10 in the hole is only 3 in ten, while the odds against it are a bigger 7 in 10 – becoming a bigger winner.
Always take insurance
If you take out insurance, you must give up 13% of your blackjack winnings. Unless you are an excellent card counter who can correctly guess 1 out of 3 and even break your insurance then this strategy won’t cut it for you and is generally a bad idea.
The aim of Blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible
Contrary to popular belief, the goal in blackjack is not to get to 21, but to simply beat the dealer’s hand. It is not necessary to get blackjack, nor is it important to get as close to 21 as possible. What is important is that you have a hand that is higher than the dealer’s. Many players fall for this trap and hit when they need to stand and maintain a solid hand.
Stay away from bad players
Blackjack is a game where you compete against the dealer and what others do does not affect the outcome of your long term game. Success at blackjack is to think in terms of the long term and not to dwell on the bad plays of others that can affect only a few hands.