Blackjack has been there and done that as one of the oldest known card games around. As the most popular casino game, it is natural there’s a fair share of advice and strategies thrown around between fellow players. However, too many of these tips have devolved into mistaken, and sometimes baffling myths, that only serve to confuse players and cost us money. To avoid potential embarrassment and severe losses, we’ve compiled a list to identify the most common blackjack myths born out of misconceptions or misinformation to separate fact from fiction.
1. Where you sit on the blackjack table makes a difference
There are plenty of superstitious gamblers out there, but it is surprising this myth continues to persist: a specific seat at a blackjack table does not have an overall impact on luck or winning ability in said game. A specific seat may by chance, prove to be the spot where one particular player destroys the dealer, and gathers the envy of other (sour) players. However, their success is not dependent on the seat. A player’s winning streak is ultimately based on their successful employment of basic strategy, careful decision making, along with, of course, good luck. In the long-term, skill always trumps chance in blackjack, not where you stick your rear end.
But what about the third baseman; the last player to act before the dealer? Some say this is an enviable position to play from. Let’s take a look at both hole card and no hole card games to reach a logical conclusion.
Hole card games: As the dealer has already drawn two cards before the players act, there is no way to know what his/her face down card is. So if we put this in to practice, giving an example with the third baseman involved, we will find that this position is neither favourable or unfavourable. It is just the same as another position on the table.
Example: The dealer shows a Four as the up-card and all players have stiff totals. Everyone stands, including the third baseman, who has a total of 14. The dealer turns over the hole card to reveal a Ten, and then promptly draws a Seven to total 21, beating everyone’s otherwise strong hands. The third baseman could have hit to take his hand to 21, but according to basic strategy, did the right thing. There was no way of knowing the dealer’s two-hand total whether you were sitting first in line or in the last spot. The dealer could just as easily have had a Five, then drawn the Seven and a King to bust.
Verdict: Neither advantageous or disadvantageous.
No hole card games: In no hole card games, the theory is slightly different. If you are playing in the last position on the table, you do hold information which other players do not possess. Say the dealer shows a Ten and you are holding two different-valued cards totalling 14. As the final player to act, you know the very next card to be drawn is either going to you or the dealer (as we did above); but if going to the dealer, it will add only to the Seven, rather than adding to the two cards which would have already been drawn in a hole card game.
So? If you hit, if the very next card is worth eight points or more, you will bust. So if you stand, and that same card worth eight points or more goes to the dealer, he/she is going to win anyway with 18+. Conversely, if you stand and the dealer draws a card valued at less than eight, chances are you’ll regret not hitting, because that card would have bettered your total. While the card may have been a Six (which would have given you 20), yes, the dealer could then draw a card to bust, or he/she could draw to 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 to beat you anyway. There are several outcomes which could occur, but the point we raise here is that you do own some additional knowledge others aren’t privy to: that the very next card will either be yours or the dealers, depending on what you choose to do. And depending on your hand, such information can lend itself to providing you with easier decisions to hit, although basic strategy will suggest the same actions. In the long term, winning or losing is still not reliant on the location of the seat.
Verdict: Can be beneficial to aid in decision-making, but will not impact overall winning chances.
2. Bad players ruin our chances
A great social experience can come with playing blackjack at a live table, and can usually make the game enjoyable for everyone. Sometimes, though, when playing at a casino, other players can rattle us, and sometimes affect our concentration. It’s also true that sometimes, another player’s dumb or reckless move can cost us a hand. By that same token, another player’s dumb or reckless move can win us a hand, so it makes little sense to place blame on others.
By the very nature of 21, other people’s and our moves shape the way the round plays out. In the long run, what those around us do does not affect our own expected outcome mathematically, if we stick to using the same, solid strategy. Unless we count cards, which is harder to do the more decks you play with, there is no way to know what the next card is. Don’t let a few unlucky decisions of another player phase you, and convince you they can ruin your chances; this is illogical in a game based on mathematical skill and basic strategy.
Verdict: Myth.
3. We can always lower the house edge to 0.5%
Blackjack is popular because of its emphasis on player skill and smart decision-making, and because when perfectly following basic strategy, we can lower the house edge to as low as 0.5%. What many other players don’t seem to realise is this lowered house edge is not possible on every blackjack table or variant: we have to endeavour to scout out the proper games with the most favourable rules in order to reach such extremely attractive odds in our favour.
For instance, we go on to play a single-deck game of blackjack, where hitting 21 on your first two cards is only paid out at 6:5 odds rather than the usual 3:2 payout; doubling down is only allowed on hands of nine, 10 or 11; and the dealer has to hit on soft 17. These three rules alone increase the house edge by 1.4%, 0.25% and 0.20% respectively; 1.85% in total.
The most favourable house edge of 0.5% is only possible on tables where the rules are the most player-friendly. Look for games with a 3 to 2 payout, where doubling down is more flexible for any hand, and where dealers stand on all 17s, to achieve the optimal results.
Verdict: Myth.
4. Card counting is illegal
Most likely encouraged by the portrayal of shady gamblers and underworld casino dealings in popular mainstream films, card counting via mental memorisation is actually not considered illegal. It still is a strategy certain players can and will use to better their chances – in live casinos, of course. Online operators use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to power their software which makes counting cards impossible, and for live dealer games, counting cards over a video stream is likely to be a much harder task.
The truth is casino venues will watch for players who do practice such tactics, and are cleaning up the tables with your mathematical intelligence, as they naturally frown upon systems which gives players significant advantages. If you are making a small fortune counting cards, there is a chance you will be asked to leave. However, despite this, there are no laws which punish you for card counting, so rest easy.
Verdict: Myth
5. A ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ dealer helps you win
It’s natural for some players to assume their blackjack dealer has some influence on their successes, but in reality, we need to establish that they have no bearing on the outcome of the game at all. We may happen to get a dealer with plenty of great stories and a good sense of humour while we are winning a bunch of hands, but this is chance, or possibly you using good strategy. A friendly dealer’s presence is a bonus to a great game – you could re-visit the same dealer and fall in to a bad losing streak.
Counting on the dealer as either hot or cold for winning purposes is not exactly logical, but if you feel it aids in your gambling experience, there’s not much wrong with finding someone you like. Just make sure you still remain focussed on basic strategy and skill.
Verdict: Myth
6. I’m due to win eventually
If you think just because you have lost the last seven hands in a row you are bound to win the next, you are mistaken. The cards don’t care if you lost the last seven hands in a row, and your chances of winning the next hand are independent from whether you lost, won or pushed those last seven hands. Blackjack is a game about player skill above all, and smart decision-making is necessary.
Verdict: Myth
7. A large bankroll is needed to win
It is a baffling myth to say the least, but many players presume if we don’t play with a big enough bankroll like the high-rollers, we are doomed to lose. This is largely facilitated by the house, who wants to encourage gamblers to spend more, but it is irrational to think only those with bigger wallets, or who are more willing to risk larger amounts, will be the only winners at the tables.
High-rollers and low-rollers aren’t bound to an eternal life of massive successes and massive failures. Larger bankrolls can win big faster, sure, but they can just as easily be depleted as swiftly. It’s also true that smaller bankrolls can be drained faster, but they can just as easily be increased, albeit more gradually than those with larger betting limits. But if playing a game of blackjack with certain bonuses and side-bets, you might get lucky and hit a big pay off, increasing your bet by ten times or more. Focus on playing smart; thinking just because you are playing with less money means you can’t win is wrong. It might take longer to win big, but that’s natural. Besides, having a starting limit is important for every educated and successful blackjack player.
Verdict: Myth.