Author: Anthony Haage
Blackjack is an iconic casino game, but it does have its fair share of myths. Lots of people think that there are tricks to blackjack that either give the player or the house or greater edge, but that can be very misleading.
If you are new to the casino, the following blackjack myths can be safely ignored.
Card Counting is Illegal
Certain blackjack myths and misconceptions work in favor of the casino. A perfect example of this is card counting, which many people think is illegal. Card counting is NOT illegal, but the casino would prefer that you not know that.
The reason why is because it gives the player an advantage. In theory, the counting system will help you better predict what the next card will be. You can win more money by increasing your wager when you have a favorable hand, which is what the MIT blackjack team famously did.
Casinos will do their best to deter players from counting cards, but that’s only because it helps the player win, not because it is illegal.
Although it’s difficult to count cards on blackjack gambling apps, it’s certainly not impossible. You also won’t be monitored like you might in an in-person casino.
Betting Systems are Guaranteed to Win
Although card counting does give you an advantage as a player, it does not guarantee that you will win. The same can be said for any blackjack betting system. You cannot play a certain way to guarantee that you will profit every time you play blackjack.
Counting cards is the most effective way to reduce the house edge. The lowest the house edge will be is just 0.5%, but it will be higher than that if you aren’t following basic strategy.
Other systems, such as the Martingale system, will have you adjust your wager amounts in order to cover your losses. This strategy can be successful for some, but you need a large bankroll and just one bad streak could put an end to it.
It’s best to stick to basic strategy and wager the amounts that you are most comfortable with.
Another Player Can Ruin Your Game
Unfortunately, there are blackjack players out there who aren’t very friendly to others. One of the biggest reasons why is because they think other players will have a negative impact on their game. This could not be further from the truth.
Another player has zero impact on your cards and vice versa. If you are too focused on what other players are doing, you will be hurting your game in two different ways.
You won’t be making optimal decisions for yourself since you’re looking at everyone else’s hands, and you also won’t be enjoying the game as a whole.
Gambling should be taken seriously, but being rude to the other players at your table is uncalled for.
Hot Streaks and Cold Streaks Exist
Another one of the most popular blackjack myths is that there are hot and cold streaks. Randomness is at the core of blackjack, even though it may seem like these streaks exist. Even if you have won five hands in a row, there’s no guarantee that the sixth hand is a winner as well.
Lots of gamblers will get into trouble when they get too confident at the blackjack table. They increase their wagers after a small winning streak and before you know it, their night is over.
Losing streaks are brutal, but if you stick to basic strategy, eventually the tides will turn.
Courtesy to Anthony Haage