At casinos in Fort Collins, blackjack is a popular game of skill and luck that draws patrons of all experience levels. There are lots of misconceptions circulating about this widely-played casino game, and it’s time to separate fact from myth. Learning the truth will help you become a stronger blackjack player and will increase your chances of winning. Let’s take a look at 6 common beliefs about the game of blackjack, and we’ll put the rumors to rest.
Myth #1: “The objective is to get as close to 21 as possible.”
The Truth: You won’t win by oversimplifying the rules of the game and shooting for that magic number. If you’re trying to get as close to 21 as possible, you’re begging to bust. Instead, the way to win a hand of blackjack is to beat the dealer by having higher value cards or by not busting when the dealer busts. The number 21 should not be your primary focus.
Myth #2: “You have to be a math whiz to be a successful blackjack player.”
The Truth: The basics of blackjack are easy for everyone to learn, whether math is a strong skill of yours or not. Like anything else in life, practice is the key to getting better. Start with a simple strategy and be consistent so you can see yourself improve.
Myth #3: “Unskilled players at the table hurt your chances.”
The Truth: A common belief is that when an inexperienced player hits when they should have stayed or vice versa, the order of cards is mixed up. It’s been proven that the order of the cards really has no drastic effect on your chances of winning overall. Sure, an unskilled player at your table can be frustrating, but focusing on your own moves will be more beneficial than worrying about what they’re doing wrong.
Myth #4: “You’re due to win after losing consecutive hands.”
The Truth: Just because you’ve lost several hands in a row doesn’t increase your chances of winning the next hand. You might feel as if you’re “due for a win,” but the cards have no memory. Statistically speaking, your wins and losses should even out over time, but that doesn’t mean your last five losses constitute a sure win this time. Each hand dealt gives you the same odds at winning, which is roughly 48 percent.
Myth #5: “Assume the dealer always has 10 in the hole.”
The Truth: Let’s look at the facts: The only cards in a deck with a value of 10 are the Jack, King, Queen and 10, of course. That means that the rest of the deck, or 70 percent of the cards, are not valued at 10. No matter how you look at it, there’s only about a 30 percent chance of the dealer having a 10 in the hole. Don’t base your strategy entirely on this assumption.
Myth #6: “Always take insurance when you’re dealt blackjack.”
The Truth: According to experts, this is actually one of the worst times to accept insurance. When you are dealt 20 or blackjack, you are holding two 10-value cards which the dealer also needs to get blackjack. You already have a winning hand, and the dealer’s chances of also getting blackjack are low. Logic says you should skip the insurance in this situation.
Now that you know the truth about these common blackjack myths, it’s time to put your new knowledge to the test!