Most Common Blackjack Mistakes - How to Avoid Costly Errors at the Table
Even the most experienced blackjack players can fall victim to common mistakes that cost them money at the tables. Whether you're a beginner just learning the ropes or a seasoned player looking to sharpen your game, understanding and avoiding these errors can significantly improve your blackjack experience and potentially save you from unnecessary losses. This comprehensive guide identifies the most common blackjack mistakes and provides practical advice on how to avoid them.
Strategy Mistakes
Strategy errors are among the most costly mistakes in blackjack. Making the wrong decisions about when to hit, stand, split, or double down can significantly increase the house edge against you.
1. Ignoring Basic Strategy
The single biggest mistake players make is ignoring basic strategy—a mathematically proven set of decisions that optimize your chances in any blackjack situation. Many players rely on intuition or "gut feelings" instead of following the statistically correct play.
How to avoid it: Take the time to learn basic strategy. You can use strategy cards (which are allowed at most casinos) until you've memorized all the correct plays. Remember that basic strategy can reduce the house edge to under 1% when followed consistently.
2. Standing on 12-16 Against Dealer's High Card
Many players incorrectly stand on stiff hands (12-16) when the dealer shows a strong upcard (7-Ace). The fear of busting leads to this mistake, but mathematically, hitting gives you a better chance of winning in these situations.
How to avoid it: When you have a hard 12-16 and the dealer shows 7 through Ace, basic strategy generally dictates that you should hit. Yes, you might bust, but standing gives the dealer an even greater advantage.
3. Not Splitting Pairs Correctly
Many players don't split pairs when they should, or split when they shouldn't. Common errors include failing to split 8s against a dealer's high card or splitting 10s because it "feels right."
How to avoid it: Follow these basic pair-splitting rules:
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Never split 10s, 5s, or 4s
- Split 2s and 3s against dealer 2-7; 6s against dealer 2-6; 7s against dealer 2-7; 9s against dealer 2-6, 8-9
4. Missing Doubling Opportunities
Many players are too conservative with doubling down, especially with soft hands. Failing to double when the odds are in your favor means missing out on potential profits.
How to avoid it: Generally, you should double down with hard 9-11 when the dealer shows 3-6, and with soft 13-18 against dealer 5-6. Learning the precise doubling strategy can significantly improve your edge.
Betting Mistakes
1. Taking Insurance
Insurance is offered when the dealer shows an Ace, giving players the option to bet that the dealer has a 10-value card in the hole. This is one of the worst bets in blackjack for most players, with a house edge of around 7%.
How to avoid it: Simply decline the insurance bet every time it's offered. The only exception is if you're an advanced card counter who knows that the deck is rich in 10-value cards.
2. Increasing Bets After Losses
The "Martingale" system, where you double your bet after each loss to recover previous losses, is a dangerous strategy that can quickly deplete your bankroll during a losing streak.
How to avoid it: Use a consistent betting strategy rather than chasing losses. Understand that each hand is independent of previous hands, and increasing your bets after losses doesn't improve your odds of winning.
3. Not Adjusting Bet Size Based on True Count
For those who count cards, failing to adjust bet sizes based on the true count is a significant error. The advantage of card counting comes from betting more when the odds are in your favor.
How to avoid it: If you're counting cards, establish a betting spread that increases your bets proportionally with the true count. Your bet should be significantly higher when the count is strongly positive.
Game Selection Mistakes
1. Playing 6:5 Blackjack Instead of 3:2
One of the most expensive mistakes is playing at tables that pay 6:5 for blackjack instead of the traditional 3:2. This seemingly small difference increases the house edge by about 1.4%, making a huge impact on your long-term results.
How to avoid it: Always check the blackjack payout before sitting down at a table. Look for 3:2 payouts and avoid 6:5 games, even if it means playing at higher minimum tables.
2. Playing at Tables with Unfavorable Rules
Beyond the blackjack payout, various rule variations can significantly impact the house edge. Players often focus only on minimum bet requirements and ignore these important rules.
How to avoid it: Look for tables with player-friendly rules such as:
- Dealer stands on soft 17
- Player can double after splitting
- Player can double on any two cards
- Player can re-split Aces
- Late surrender is allowed
3. Playing at Too High a Minimum Bet
Playing at tables with minimum bets that are too high relative to your bankroll puts you at risk of going broke quickly, especially during a bad run of cards.
How to avoid it: Your minimum bet should generally not exceed 1-2% of your total bankroll. This ensures you have enough hands to weather variance and bad streaks.
Bankroll Management Mistakes
1. Playing Without a Loss Limit
Many players keep pulling money out of their wallets or visiting the ATM after losing their initial buy-in. This emotional decision often leads to chasing losses and making bigger mistakes.
How to avoid it: Set a loss limit before you start playing—an amount you're comfortable losing for the session. Once you hit that limit, have the discipline to walk away and come back another day.
2. Not Setting Win Goals
Just as important as a loss limit is a win goal. Many players win big early in a session only to give it all back because they don't have a plan for when to quit while ahead.
How to avoid it: Before playing, decide on a win goal (such as 50% of your buy-in). Once you reach it, consider either walking away with your profit or pocketing some of the winnings and playing with the rest.
3. Not Tracking Results
Many players have no idea how much they're actually winning or losing over time. Without tracking, it's easy to remember the big wins and forget the losses, giving you a distorted perception of your results.
How to avoid it: Keep a record of your blackjack sessions, including buy-in amount, cash-out amount, time played, and casino/table rules. This data can help you identify patterns and improve your game.
Etiquette Mistakes
1. Blaming Other Players for Your Losses
A common mistake is criticizing other players' decisions, especially when you believe they "took" the dealer's bust card. This not only creates a negative atmosphere but also reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the game.
How to avoid it: Understand that each player's decision affects your odds of winning only very marginally, if at all. Each hand is essentially independent, and over time, another player's "mistakes" will help you just as often as they hurt you.
2. Handling Cards Incorrectly
In games where cards are dealt face-down, improper card handling—such as using two hands or bending the cards—can get you warned or even removed from the table.
How to avoid it: In face-down games, only touch your cards with one hand and keep them above the table at all times. In face-up games, don't touch the cards at all.
3. Slow Play
Taking too long to make decisions not only irritates other players and the dealer but can also lead to fewer hands per hour, which affects everyone's experience.
How to avoid it: Learn basic strategy well enough that most decisions become automatic. If you're unsure about a play, you can quickly refer to a strategy card. Remember that it's okay to take a moment on tough decisions, but try to maintain a reasonable pace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blackjack Mistakes
What is the biggest mistake blackjack players make?
The biggest mistake is not learning and following basic strategy. Playing by intuition or "feel" rather than mathematically proven strategy significantly increases the house edge and costs players money in the long run.
Is it a mistake to split 10s if I have two face cards?
Yes, splitting 10s or face cards is almost always a mistake. A hand of 20 is already very strong, and splitting them into two hands with only one 10-value card each reduces your expected value. The only exception might be if you're an advanced card counter in a very specific situation.
Why is taking insurance considered a mistake?
Insurance is a bad bet for most players because it has a negative expected value. The odds offered (2:1) don't match the actual odds of the dealer having blackjack (roughly 9:4 in a single-deck game). This gives the house a significant edge on insurance bets.
Does making mistakes at the blackjack table affect other players?
Contrary to popular belief, the mistakes of one player have minimal impact on other players' outcomes in the long run. While a particular decision might change who gets what card in a specific hand, over time these effects balance out and don't significantly impact others' overall results.
Is card counting a mistake or illegal?
Card counting is not illegal, but casinos can ask card counters to leave as private businesses have the right to refuse service. The mistake many make is thinking card counting is easy or guarantees wins. Proper card counting requires extensive practice, a significant bankroll, and discipline—and still comes with variance and risk.
What's the most common bankroll mistake new players make?
The most common bankroll mistake is not having enough money relative to your bet size. Many players bring only 20-30 times their minimum bet, which is far too little to withstand normal variance. A proper bankroll should be at least 50-100 times your average bet for casual play, and much more for professional play.
Conclusion
Avoiding these common blackjack mistakes can dramatically improve your results at the table. Remember that blackjack is a game where skill matters, and taking the time to learn proper strategy can reduce the house edge to less than 1%. By mastering basic strategy, choosing games with favorable rules, managing your bankroll wisely, and maintaining proper etiquette, you'll not only enjoy the game more but also significantly increase your chances of walking away a winner. While no strategy can guarantee profits in the short term due to the inherent variance in card games, eliminating these mistakes will undoubtedly improve your long-term results and enhance your overall blackjack experience.