3 Mistakes That Blackjack Players Should Avoid

Posted by Harry Kane on Monday, August 7, 2017

With disposable income in the UK falling at its fastest rate since 2011, you could forgive households for wanting to make the most of their money.

There is still a pressing need to spend recreationally and enjoy a positive work-life balance, however, and this means investing money in a responsible and knowledgable manner at all times. If your idea of fun happens to include playing online blackjack, this also means avoiding the type of mistakes that can eradicate your bankroll in a matter of moments.

In this article, we will look at three of the worst mistakes that an online blackjack player can make, and explain why they can have such a negative impact on your performance.

1. Failing to Use Even Basic Strategy

Let’s start with a basic assertion; attempting to play blackjack based on instinct and without any semblance of strategy is the single biggest mistake made by players online. Whether they are swept up by the immersive nature of the experience or simply naïve to the complexities of the game, playing without a plan represents the quickest way to blow your bankroll.

Before you even register with an online casino, you should have perused the range of available blackjack strategies and chosen one that best suits your outlook, philosophy and existing skill-set.

Remember, this can lower the prevailing house edge by an estimated 1%, regardless of which iteration of the game that you choose to play.

2. Using a Progressive System for all of the Wrong Reasons

While there is nothing fundamentally wrong with progressive or negative progression betting systems (which see you increase your stake with every win or loss respectively), you should not pursue these for the wrong reasons.

You certainly should not adopt such a strategy in the mistaken belief that it increases your odds of winning, as this represents the type of gambling fallacy that can undermine even the most healthy of bank rolls. Regardless of whether or not you have won the last hand, this has no bearing on the next result which will be determined entirely at random (save for the ratio of high to low cards that remain in the unplayed deck).

In this respect, you should only ever deploy a progressive betting system if it is compatible with your playing style and bankroll, rather than selecting one based on the notion of increasing your chances of succeeding or capitalising on so-called winning streaks.

3. Making Side Bets During the Base Game

Not all blackjack iterations have been made equal, with a growing number featuring more complex rules that allow for side bets. Including creative wagers such as Lucky Ladies and Match Pair, these can be extremely engaging while adding a unique dimension to the gameplay and overall experience.

While each side bet will be slightly different in its nature, however, they all share at least one thing in common. More specifically, they each boast a relatively high house edge, and although they are nominal wagers your losses can quickly accumulate over time.

In this respect, you should probably avoid side bets, particularly if you are novice player who is trying to get to grips with a new game. Even more experienced players should use them sparingly, as they offer prohibitive odds and will quickly eat into your bankroll!