Gambling nowadays is extremely convenient. There are numerous land based casinos and countless online casinos to choose from and a wide variety of games as well. What you must understand about casino games is that they are all entertaining and exciting, but not all of them are lucrative. You must choose your casino game carefully. Slots, roulette, lottery games and craps are all games of luck, but unless you are a very lucky gambler you should stay away from them. Poker, baccarat and blackjack are all games of skill. Baccarat requires a rather large bankroll and poker is extremely competitive. So what you are left with is blackjack.
Blackjack is an extremely popular game and for good reasons. First of all it is extremely easy to play. Then, since it is based on skill, you are the one that influences the outcome of the game. With the aid of basic blackjack strategy you can lower the house edge to about 1%. No other casino game offers such a low house edge. Take the roulette wheel for example. It offers a house advantage of 5%.
I have taken the time to put together a few blackjack tips that you should keep in mind whenever you play blackjack online or in a land based casino. The order in which these blackjack tips are presented is of no importance. What is important is for you to read and understand them and improve your gambling skills.
Learn the rules of the game.
There are countless online gambling sites that present all the blackjack rules in a comprehensive and detailed manner. You cannot possibly expect to be a good blackjack player if you do not know the rules. At least learn the basic rules that apply to all blackjack variations. In case you were wondering, there are several types of blackjack games: blackjack switch, multi-hand blackjack, Atlantic City blackjack, double exposure blackjack, European blackjack, high limit blackjack, Spanish blackjack, and so on. If you know the basic blackjack rules you should pick up on the rule variations easily.
The true goal of playing online blackjack or casino blackjack is to beat the dealer.
Forget that nonsense about getting a 21. You do not have to keep hitting until you get a 21. Just hit until you have a card total that is good enough to beat the dealer. If you get a natural blackjack, congratulations. But not even that will guarantee that you will win. If the dealer also has a natural blackjack the game will be pushed. But you could very well win with a card total of 14 if the dealer busts.
Do not play with your gut – use a basic strategy card instead.
The best way to increase your chances of winning is to use basic strategy. Sometimes you will get a gut feeling that you should hit even if the basic strategy card advises you to stand. What you probably do not know is that playing by gut feeling alone gives the house an edge of 6%. But when you use basic strategy the house edge is reduced to 1%. So keep one on you at all times and consult it if necessary.
Choose your gambling environment carefully.
The main difference between casino blackjack and online blackjack is the environment. Land based casinos are noisy, crowded and extremely distracting. If you are struggling to keep focused maybe you should turn to playing online blackjack. Playing blackjack in a reputable online casino can prove to be a lot more lucrative than playing in a land based casino. Not only do you get to play from the comfort of your own home, but online casinos also offer great free blackjack games and fantastic sign-up bonuses. Now tell me what land based casino lets you play for free or lets you play with their money. Beginner blackjack players are well advised to make good use of these free casino games and improve their blackjack skills.
Proper money management.
First of all you should sit down, take a calculator and figure out how much money you can afford to spend on internet blackjack or casino blackjack. Budget your money carefully and never spend more than you can afford to lose. If you have spent all the money that you had set up for a blackjack session then walk away. Do not dip into other funds in hopes that you will win. Winning is never a guarantee, even if you lower the house edge to a minimum. Playing smart is the best option.
Always tip the dealer.
Casino dealers are not unionized and are not paid very well. They do not care if you win or lose. It’s not like they are playing with their own money. Do not annoy the dealer as they can make it harder for you to win. Always remember to tip.
Hopefully the blackjack tips presented above will improve your game. Remember that blackjack is a game if skill and that the outcome of the game is in your hands. Your skill determines if you will walk away with a profit or if you will lose. Being a bit lucky never hurts either.