In my first post I told you I was a blackjack player before I discovered the beauty of slots. So, although this blog is dedicated to those of us who like playing slots all night, I think it’s only fair that I shared with you some of my findings that have to do with BJ.
When I started playing jack, I trusted my gut too much. I’m not dismissing the role of one’s intuition but I was downright foolish back then. I’d hit a hard 18 just because I was sure I’d get a 3 and I’d place all those side bets because they seemed fun.
Starting out is tough but you don’t have to make the mistakes I made. Just remember these 3 simple rules. They are for blackjack newbies but even if you don’t consider yourself one you’d still benefit from reading them. And don’t worry – I’m not going to shock you the way Ray Parlour was shocked when he was learning the rules of the game at Electric Blackjack.
Rule 1: Use a Strategy Chart
Keep a strategy chart at hand and look at it before making a decision. The advantage of an online casino is that nobody sees you – you can play for the first time and make an enviable profit thanks to the charts made by experts. Make sure you’re using the correct chart, though, the one that’s made especially for the game you’re playing.
Rule 2: No Side Bets
Online casinos have many tempting side bets – 21+3, Perfect Pairs, Buster Blackjack, Lucky Ladies – but you shouldn’t be tempted by the huge payout. It’s like that for a reason and the reason is that it’s very unlikely that you’d fulfil the requirements. I mean, come on, how often do you get two identical cards (same colour, suit, and value) – two Queens of Hearts, for example?
Rule 3: Choose the Right Game
It all starts with choosing a favourable game variation. It may have the ugliest interface but if the RTP is the highest you can get and the rules for the dealer and player are good, that’s the game you should be playing. If you want to play an eye-pleasing game, you shouldn’t have a problem finding one, considering the availability of game providers and variations, just make sure you’re not compromising a great RTP for some colour.
What’s the Takeaway?
You’re probably wondering why you should leave the comfort and glamour of slot machines and bother learning blackjack strategy. Well, 21 has one very important advantage over slots – there’re skills involved in it, not just pure luck. Yes, as much as we love spinning the reels, slots are a game of chance, whereas at the blackjack table you can increase your chances of winning by learning strategy and following the basic rules. Besides, you could never place that large a stake at slots. We’ll get to that at a later point but for now, if high stakes blackjack is your thing, have a look here for some useful guidelines and suggestions for the best games and sites for high rollers.