A few tips for blackjack beginners

The premise of blackjack has lured many people into thinking that the game is solely based on luck and the cards you're dealt. Whilst this is true to some extent, it's no coincidence that some players tend to do better than others when it comes to taking on the dealer. As a matter of fact, there are a number of ways in which to improve your chances of success. With responsible gambling week fast approaching and so heavily backed by City last year, we thought we'd put together a quick guide to getting started and improving all aspects of your blackjack game now that we're all in the casino mood.

The Importance of Doubling Down

Doubling down is a basic concept in the game of blackjack but can be an extremely successful ploy if used correctly. Doubling down simply involves doubling your bet whilst receiving an extra card and when done in strong positions, it can help you take power away from the dealer. There are a number of general rules that should be followed when it comes to doubling down but it's important to remember that every table is different. As you play more, your intuition will often dictate what the best play is. In any case, doubling down on 11 is usually a good idea unless the dealer has an ace as the chances of you achieving blackjack are significantly higher than normal.

Practice Makes... Sense

As is the case with most games and sports, you get what you put in. Blackjack is a game in which intuition goes a long way and the "gut feel" that top players talk about is only acquired through many years of experience. Thankfully, it's now possible to play blackjack games online in order to hone your blackjack skills and get a feel for the rules and different strategies within the game. Ultimately, you learn by doing and as you play more blackjack, you will quickly become familiar with the nuances within the game. Although you may learn a few harsh lessons to start off with, your patience and hard work will pay off if you're dedicated enough.

Don't Get Suckered into Taking Insurance

Insurance is essentially a side bet that's only available when the dealer's exposed card is an ace. However, the dealer can only achieve blackjack with 4 out of 13 available cards and so the extra money wagered really isn't worth it. It's been widely estimated that an insurance bet can give the house up to a 6% edge against the player. With this in mind, it's more sensible and profitable to surrender your first stake as opposed to trying to guard it against the dealer. As a general rule, insurance is always a bad bet regardless of the table in front of you and the cards you have.

Final Thoughts

Blackjack falls into the category of a casino game which is pretty easy to play but difficult to master. However, with the right amount of practice and knowledge beforehand, there's no reason why you can't be successful at the game. It's also worth pointing out that there are a number of different variants of the game and by playing online, you can find the one that best suits your style of play. All in all, card games can be and should be treated as an entertaining way to pass a few hours and as long as you're having fun, you're halfway there.