Perfecting your home blackjack game
The beauty of blackjack lies in its unique blend of simplicity and skill. While other classic casino games like poker and the notoriously complex craps involve a large number of rules and potential strategies, blackjack offers a relatively straightforward alternative in which the game rules can be counted on one hand. It may be for this reason that blackjack has become the go-to table game for many looking to play from the comfort of their home with friends or family. The approachable nature of the game is ideal for playing with people across differing skill levels, offering the perfect choice for casual playing. That being said, there are ways in which you can elevate your game to ensure the next time you play, your chances of success are higher. Here’s how.
First…the rules
Before getting started on any tips for elevating your game, it’s always a good idea to remind ourselves of the basic rules and moves of the game to ensure no silly mistakes are made. The premise of the game is simple: make a hand that is better than the dealer’s; just make sure your hand isn’t higher than a value of 21. All numbered cards are valued corresponding to their number, while all face cards have a value of 10. The aces have a value of either 1 or 11, dependent on the requirement of the player.
The game starts with the dealer dealing each player at the table two cards as well as dealing themselves one card face up and one card face down. If you’re playing for money, remember to place your bets before the dealer does this. At this point, the game begins, and each player must make a move based on the hand they have before them. Do they:
- Hit – take another card to boost their total.
- Stand – stick with their current total.
- Double down – double their bet before taking another card and standing.
- Split – this can only be done if dealt a pair, but here, a player may choose to increase their bet, allowing them to split their pair into two separate hands.
The dealer will then reveal their face-down card. If they achieve 17 or higher, they must stand however, if their total is below 17, the dealer must continue hitting until 17 or above is reached. At the end of the game, a player will win if they have a higher hand than the dealer or if the dealer exceeds 21. Easy, right?
Try your hand as dealer
A great way to better get to grips with the game is to try being the dealer for a night. This is particularly easy when playing in a more casual setting at home, where you can approach the role in a relaxed way. Learning how to deal blackjack will enable you to get quickly acquainted with the varying card values and the different moves that players can make, as well as allowing you to notice the finer nuances of the game. As the old saying goes, the best way to learn is to teach, and by trying your hand as a dealer, you may be able to hone your blackjack skills while making sure whoever you’re playing with is learning as well.
Nail down some complex strategies
Now, knowing the basic rules of the game is a great starting point that will guarantee some success at the table; however, to truly get the edge over your rival players, make sure to learn some tried and tested blackjack strategies. For experienced players, there is a huge array of different tactics and modes of play that can be used when at the table. Some are more complex than others, and you may find when researching them which ones suit your playstyle and which ones you’d rather avoid. Important strategic decisions that are integral for any novice player to learn, however, are knowing when to split and when to double down, as well as knowing when to stand. Ultimately, blackjack is a game of probability, so approaching your game with a mathematical brain will put you on the path to success.
Practice makes perfect
Playing regularly and practicing your skills is one of the best ways of building your confidence and enabling you to truly understand the game. As a relatively simple game, blackjack has a well-defined basic strategy that, if properly employed, allows a player to identify the optimal play based on the cards in their hand. By regular practice, players can imprint this strategy into their minds so that it becomes second nature. By doing this, you will already be on the way to becoming a higher-skilled player. There are multiple ways you can practice, either at home in a casual setting with friends or family, or you can use the wide range of online blackjack platforms now available.
The question of counting cards
For anyone who knows a thing or two about blackjack, they will no doubt have heard about the strategy of counting cards. This controversial technique involves a player tracking the cards that are dealt in a game in order to gain an advantage. Learning to count cards takes time and requires extremely high levels of concentration in game, and while the benefits of successfully doing so can be great, the probability of slipping up is also very high. Additionally, while the technique is not illegal in casinos, it is generally frowned upon within the gambling community. Therefore, if you are playing at home, make sure to check with other players before employing this contentious tactic.
Whether it’s through regular practice, employing contentious techniques, or learning the more intricate strategies of the game, there are several ways to elevate your blackjack skills at home. And through practice and patience, you can perfect your game in no time at all. Next time you organize a blackjack night at home, remember the tips and tricks written here, and the jackpot may well be yours for the taking.
