Tips for Playing Blackjack

Posted on by Elizabeth Micenko

Maybe you’ve never been to the casino to play blackjack, or just need a few tips to get the confidence to step up to the table. You’ll be happy to hear that blackjack offers relatively good odds for players as long as they understand a few simple rules.

At Casino Parties Pittsburgh, we’ve put together a few tips to help you to up your odds of winning at your next blackjack game.

blackjack in a casino

Check Out the Dealer’s Up Card

Before you take any action, you should check the dealer’s up card to see whether the card is bad, 2-6, or if it is good, 7-Ace. This will help you determine what action you should take, which leads us to what strategy you should play.

Play a Basic Strategy

  • If you want to drop the house edge from 1 or 2 percent down to .5 percent, you need to memorize the right way to hit, stand, split, and double your hand.
  • Hit if your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 7-Ace
  • Stand if your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 2-6.
  • You should always split Aces and 8s
  • Be sure to double 11 versus the dealer’s 2-10
  • Make sure you hit or double Aces-6

If you think these strategies will be difficult to remember, be sure to purchase a basic strategy card from the casino gift shop to keep handy in case you need a refresher.

Avoid the First Base Seat

You should avoid sitting in the first base chair at the table in case the dealer is rushing. If you sit further down, you will have more time to review your hand and the dealer’s up card so you can decide what action to take.

Start Out Small

If you are new to the table or if a new dealer has just arrived, hold back a bit and start off small. This will allow you to gauge the situation and see whether the dealer is hot or cold. A hot or a cold streak can have a major effect on your game.

Ignore the Gambler’s Myths

One myth is that the decisions of other players at the table will affect your hand. In reality, you are only playing against the dealer, and you don’t have to worry about what the other players are doing. They don’t know your hand, and you don’t know theirs, so just stick to the basic strategy.

Decide How Much You Can Lose

It’s important to set a cap for how much you are okay with losing without limiting how much you could win. Blowing a ton of money to score casino freebies or other comps isn’t worth it. It’s also important to move on if you are on a losing streak, there is always another game to play.

Want to Bring All the Fun of the Casino to Your Next Event? We’ve Got Your Covered!

At Casino Parties Pittsburgh, we have a wide range of casino games, including blackjack, that we can bring to your next event. Whether you are throwing a fundraiser or company party, we have the trained and experienced dealers and authentic casino games for Pittsburgh customers to enjoy!

Make your next event one to remember with Casino Parties Pittsburgh. Contact us today to learn more.

Elizabeth Micenko
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