Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games worldwide, but it’s also surrounded by numerous myths that can mislead players and affect their gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, understanding the truth behind these myths is crucial to improving your blackjack strategy and enjoying the game to its fullest.
Busting the Common Blackjack Myths
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most pervasive Blackjack myths and set the record straight:
1. Card Counting is Not Legal
Card counting is a perfectly legal strategy, and it’s not against the law to use it while playing blackjack. However, casinos are private establishments, and they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. If a casino suspects a player is counting cards, they may ask the player to leave or ban them from playing blackjack in the future.
2. You Should Get as Close to 21 as Possible
While getting close to 21 can be advantageous, the primary objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. This means you can win with a lower total if the dealer busts or has a weaker hand. Focusing solely on getting close to 21 can lead to poor decisions, such as taking unnecessary risks with additional cards when standing might be the better choice.
3. Blackjack is All Luck and No Skill
While luck does play a role in blackjack, skill is also a significant factor. Players who understand basic strategy and bankroll management can greatly improve their odds of winning. Unlike other casino games like slots, blackjack offers players the opportunity to make decisions that directly impact the outcome of the game, making it a game where both luck and skill matter.
4. A Win is Due After a Losing Streak
Each hand in blackjack is independent of the previous one, and the cards don’t have memory. Just because you’ve experienced a losing streak doesn’t mean a win is more likely on the next hand. This Blackjack myth can lead to poor decision-making, such as increasing your bets after losses in an attempt to recoup them.
5. Assuming That the Dealer’s Hole Card is Always a 10
While there are more 10-value cards (10, Jack, Queen, King) in a deck than any other value, it’s incorrect to assume that the dealer’s hole card is always a 10. This assumption can lead to incorrect decisions, such as hitting when you should stand or standing when you should hit. The best approach is to consider the odds and base your decisions on the most likely outcomes rather than assuming the worst-case scenario.
6. Always Split Aces and Eights
This is actually one of the few Blackjack myths that holds up under scrutiny. Splitting aces and eights is almost always the right move in blackjack. Splitting aces gives you a better chance of hitting a 21 on at least one of your hands while splitting eights turns a weak 16 into two potentially stronger hands. However, it’s important to know when to split and when not to, depending on the dealer’s upcard.
7. One Should Never Take Insurance
While it’s true that insurance is generally a poor bet for most players, there are specific situations where it might make sense, particularly if you’re counting cards and have a good idea of the deck’s composition. However, taking insurance is typically not advisable for the average player because it increases the house edge. It’s usually better to focus on your main hand and not worry about side bets like insurance.