Top 10 Worst Blackjack Mistakes

Blackjack is easy to learn and yet hard to master. This is what we all have heard growing up. With centuries worth of history and development, the game has gained a steady following with players all over the world. Beginners or experienced players, we have all made mistakes we could’ve avoided. 

There are various guides talking about the “right” way to play, but very few go over the biggest mistakes one can make when playing. Knowing the most common mistakes that players make can help us become better players ourselves. That being said, here are ten of the worst mistakes made by both beginners and masters alike in Blackjack. 

10. Betting too much

One of the most common mistakes that people make in Blackjack is betting too much and too often. As the going gets easy and people sense an opportunity, many go pedal to the metal. This can prove to be disastrous at times, and even pros have been guilty of this. 

As the experts always say, having at least 100 bets under your arsenal is key during a game. This gives you breathing room and, more importantly, time to think and, if worse comes to wear, a way out. The more money you put in, the more your impulses take over, and unless you have nerves of steel, we recommend taking it easy on the bets. 

Also, betting too often and too much can lead to bankroll management issues. It will lower your chances to place further bets and reduce your chances of winning in the longer run. 

9. Taking Insurance and other side bets

Beginners often fall into this deceptive trap. Taking insurance might seem like a fair idea as you would expect to break even, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. Side bets, in general, can be dubious if you’re not sure what you're doing when it comes to Blackjack. 

Insurance has an exceptionally high house edge, with around 7-8% on the lower end. Over the long run, players who take insurance almost always lose more money than they win. It goes against the fundamentals of Blackjack, too, as you’ll be better off making decisions based on your card and the dealer’s upcard. 

Sticking to that, almost all bets in Blackjack have a high house edge. The 21+3, Perfect Pairs and Royal Match side bets have been observed to have the lowest house edge. 

8. Disregarding basic strategy

Basing your entire strategy on the mercy of lady luck can leave you with a sour impression of her, to say the least. Blackjack is a game of strategy and demands critical thinking if you’re in it to win. The last thing you want to do is give the house an even higher edge.

Using basic strategy is the mathematically correct way of playing poker and reduces the house edge to less than 1%. Counting cards will also come in handy and help you maximize profits when playing. There are countless strategy guides on the game, experiment with them to develop your own strategy and modify it as needed. 

As tempting as it may seem to go off on your own, following these best practices while managing your bankroll ensures you have a good and entertaining time.

7. Chasing losses

Keeping in line with the previous point, this goes for all kinds of gambling in general. After a string of losses, we almost expect the next hand to be a win. This can prove to be a bad mistake, as attempting to recover lost money can often lead to further losses. 

The casinos are aware of this as well and will actively set a table maximum to prevent you from using this strategy. Even if you could, you’d need a huge bankroll and not give in to emotional decision-making and taking unnecessary risks. Following a good betting strategy will almost always make sure you never lose many times in a row. 

In short, don’t chase your losses. If you’re experiencing a string of losses, it's better to remove yourself from the situation and try again another day. Let lady luck work her magic, and you’ll be back in no time.

6. Playing at tables with bad rules

Blackjack tables come with many different rules, and those rules don’t always favor the player. Some of them have a higher house edge than others, and knowing about these can help you make better and more informed choices when playing.

Some tables have the more modern 6/5 payout rather than the traditional 3/2. With these tables, the house edge is increased by over 1.39%, taking away your chances of winning. 

These tables also sometimes have unfair rules, like not allowing players to double down after splitting or allowing the dealer to hit on a soft 17. Avoid these tables at all costs and go for the traditional 3/2 payout table. 

In a small land-based casino, the rules might be similar on all tables or have slight variations on them. However, that isn’t the case when you’re playing the game online. Be careful and know the ins and outs before playing. A small difference, like the dealer drawing on soft 17’s and standing on hard 17’s and soft 18’s, can reduce the house edge by 0.20%.

5. Splitting pairs

Generally, splitting pairs can be a good idea, but not when you have 10s or 5s. Splitting pairs and setting them both up with hopes of winning can definitely be a viable strategy. Essentially, you are separating the hands and playing each hand separately, good thinking. 

Coming to the point, splitting 10s is almost always a bad idea as you’re the closest as you can be to 21. The dealer most likely does not have anything better, so hold onto your cards. 

The same goes for your 5s, why split when you already have a 10? It has a decent chance to get you high-value numbers. Splitting them leaves you open for potentially weaker hands. 

Splitting can be good if you know what you’re doing, but splitting these high-value cards is one of the worst mistakes beginners can make.

4. Standing on a “Soft 17”

This may be controversial, but hear us out. Standing on a Soft 17 when the dealer has the chance to hit is giving the house an unfair advantage. The Ace-6 hand holds a good chance to win, but not when the dealer can hit on the soft 17. 

This can give the dealers an advantage as they get a chance to improve their hands. It can feel dubious as there’s a significant chance that you will bust. However, if the dealer has an ace up, then your chances go down significantly, and you will lose more money in the long run. 

If the dealer has to stand on the soft 17, you should hit, and if they hit the soft 17, it is time to double down. Of course, it all depends on the dealer’s upcard and your hand, but this age-old tip is still working. 

3. Playing multi-deck Blackjack games

This one is subjective, as you might enjoy the thrill and challenge that comes with multi-deck games. For people who know what they are doing, it can be a great way to make money quickly, but it also has certain risks associated with it. 

With multi-deck games, players often get caught up with the high number of 10s and picture cards. However, they often fail to realize that these games also carry a much higher house edge, and certain card combinations can be much more difficult to get, such as pairs and soft hands. 

The slower pace can also ease you into losing more money as you take your time and bet often. On the other hand, these games also have added shuffling and variations in rules, which keep the game interesting. Remember to always be vigilant when playing and check the rules so you don’t give the house an unnecessary advantage. 

2. Playing against a CMS

Casinos have been implementing Continuous Shuffling Machines far and wide. These make us feel better as it makes the game more efficient and eliminates the need for a dealer to manually shuffle cards. This is just what they want you to think.

Although a CMS makes it more difficult for skilled players to count cards and even the playing field, it holds a few secrets of its own. It increases the house edge by 1.5% when compared to classic games, which means you lose money over time. 

The faster pace of the game also means you have less breathing room to think and strategize while playing. It also reduces the penetration of cards, making shuffle tracking and ace sequencing unusable. 

If you are a seasoned veteran of the sport, we would advise not bothering with a CMS. For players who want a faster-paced environment and still need to learn the ropes, it could be a decent option, but sticking to the classic tables is much better in the long run. 

1. Playing with your emotions

We know Blackjack can be infuriating at times and equally exciting at other times. It is an ever-changing and extremely engaging game, but playing with your emotions in check is also equally important. 

Not only does emotional play result in impaired decision-making, but it also has various other disastrous effects. Having a tough time losing several hands in a row? Happens with the best of us, but beware of the tilt that comes with the anger and frustration. Playing without your emotions under control also results in a lack of discipline, be it when betting or standing where you should hit. 

Remember, when playing Blackjack, we all need to make objective choices based on the situation. It can be easier said than done but cooling off or taking a small break will almost always save you from making decisions you regret later on. 

That concludes our list of the 10 worst mistakes players can make when playing Blackjack. Blackjack is one of the most entertaining games in a casino and has many players coming back for more all the time. However, not all Blackjack tables are the same, nor are the rules uniform everywhere. Avoiding these Blackjack mistakes will help you not only improve your game but also make sure you have fun. 

From not taking the tempting insurance bet to splitting good hands, we covered them all today. Be mindful that these mistakes can also sometimes make sense in exceptional circumstances, for the advanced players out there smiling at us, we see you. 

The game is meant for fun, but that does not mean you need to lose money to do so. Good luck!