While Iowa has a somewhat complex history with gambling, many people still feel the allure of a good casino game, especially in native or riverboat casinos. Out of all casino card and table games, blackjack is often the one most closely aligned in skill. Though luck undoubtedly plays a big role, anyone with the right mathematical skills and strategies can play the game well.
If you’re just starting your blackjack journey, here are the most essential beginner tips and strategies that you should hone now.
Always assume the Dealer has a 10
One of the most useful tips any blackjack beginner learns is to act as if the dealer’s face-down card is a 10. This assumption isn’t based on the fact that it’s always true but that it’s always safe to act in accordance with this idea.
This strategy will cost you some wins, but it will save you from far more losses. Even professional blackjack players adopt this strategy when they feel things are not looking up for them. It’s a strategy that is rooted in probability as much as it is in the old adage “better safe than sorry”.
Places like askgamblers.com are loaded with tons of tips to help you learn when to push back and when to hold firm. So take note of their tips and you’ll be in heaven!
Stand on Hard 17
Another tip that is rooted in safety and knowing your limits is standing whenever you reach a hard 17. This is a tested and true technique that everyone employs at all levels of blackjack experience.
Standing on 17 is safe because the odds of busting are extremely high once your hand is at this amount. There’s no harm in continuing to hit every now and then if you are feeling lucky (or risky), but 99% of the time for beginners, standing on 17 is the logical move.
Split Aces and 8s
Splitting cards can be an intimidating feature for beginners, but knowing when to split will make things feel a lot more comfortable. Aces and 8s are by far the best cards to split for very specific reasons. Aces are great for building up to strong hands (including blackjacks), and 8s are great to split as they are more likely to provide weak hands (15 or 16), so this reduces the odds of busting long-term.
Splitting is a relatively rare event in blackjack, so beginners don’t need to feel pressured into paying too much attention to them. If you are still feeling too inexperienced in the event a split opportunity presents itself to you, even with 8s or aces, there’s no shame or harm in passing up the opportunity and continuing to play normally. Just keep this tip in mind for the future for when you become more experienced and confident.
Ignore Insurance Bets
Insurance bets in blackjack are designed to protect players in the event the dealer gets an early ace. They are in theory, a good way to buy some extra protection, but even insurance bets have a tactical edge to them. This means they are best employed by more experienced players. Beginners should do their best to stay clear of them.
There are a few key moments or situations when an insurance bet is likely to be beneficial. However, statistically speaking, they tend to do more harm than good in the long run, even for professional players. As long as you are still in your early innings, always avoid the temptation of these bet types.
Double Down on 11 (If Allowed)
No I’m not talking about enjoying a twin bing. Most blackjack tables will allow a double down feature, in which you can double your bet immediately before placing your next hit. The best time to do so is when you are on an 11, hard or soft.
This doesn’t mean you should always double down on 11, as maybe the dealer seems to have a good hand, such as an ace for example. But if you’ve weighed the situation, things seem to look good for you, and you have an 11, doubling down can be a smart move. The odds of getting a strong hand like 18, 19 or 20 when hitting from an 11 are usually pretty good, making this the safest time in the game to try and double your odds.
Play at Small-Bet or Low-Stakes Tables
Blackjack is less a form of making money and more a type of entertainment, and this mentality is especially important for players who are just starting the game. This means prioritizing fun over cash, which means avoiding the high-stakes tables and entering more casual settings.
This is important for two reasons. Firstly, you end up focusing on the game itself and less on the payouts, which not only reduces stress but gives you the mental energy to focus on practicing and honing your skills. Secondly, some casinos, especially land-based ones, have been raising minimums at blackjack tables in recent years, making the losses rougher on people with smaller budgets.
The great thing about blackjack is that no matter where you play or how much money you wager, the game is the same. This allows you to practice any skill on any budget.