15 Blackjack Strategy Myths Debunked

Games are either hot or cold

This is a common myth among all table casino and slot machine games, but it is not true.

While you may appear to be on a winning streak, or working towards your first win, there is no connection to the outcome of each round, meaning there is always a chance of winning or losing any game.

The banker always wins

While the banker does have an advantage over the player in the long run, on any given round there is an average of 42.22% chance of beating the banker, and an additional 8.48% chance of a tie.

Blackjack is a game of chance

While blackjack, like all casino games, involves a degree of luck, there is also a fair amount of skill involved. Using sound strategies and knowing when to make certain moves is important to ensure you have the best chance of beating the bookmaker.

Using strategies can help reduce the house edge

This is true because using a basic strategy can reduce the house edge to 0.5%. If you’re looking to equip yourself with some sound strategy at the poker table, check out some of our top blackjack strategies and get the knowledge you need to take on the dealer.

Progressive betting will increase your chances of winning

Progressive betting states that every time you lose, you double your bet, giving you the possibility of winning a bigger prize on the next round. This is a strategy to be wary of, as there is no guarantee that increasing your bet will result in a win on the next round.

Only play games that you feel comfortable with, and there is no need to place larger bets during periods of losing money.

The goal of blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible

This is a common misconception that can cause you to fail frequently. The point of blackjack is not to hit blackjack, but to blow the dealer or get a higher final value. Follow the strategy and focus on the dealer’s hand to strategize your next move.

The dealer always has a 10 card in his hand

Although it may seem like the banker often has high-value cards, the banker is just as likely to draw these cards as the player.

In a standard game of blackjack, there is a 31% chance of drawing a card worth 10, which means they have an overwhelming chance of drawing a card worth something other than 10 69% of the time.

A low house edge means you win more often

While a low house edge is important in the long run, it does not determine your chances of winning on each game. Each round is determined by the luck of the cards and offers the same chance of winning or losing based on the cards played and actions taken during the round.

Learning blackjack takes a long time

Although blackjack may seem like it has a lot of detail and intense number cracking, the game itself is very simple to learn and can be mastered in no time. Find out how to play the game and become a master at the poker table in 10 minutes.

It’s important to know when to leave the table

This is true, as knowing when to finish is important for controlling your gaming time and budget. If you need help setting limits, including deposit limits, game sessions and setting up account interruptions, visit our Safer Gambling Tool for more information.

Bad players can ruin your chances of winning

This is a more common misconception in live blackjack, but don’t worry, the other players at the table won’t have any impact on your chances of winning. Focus on your hand and strategy to ensure you come out strong against the dealer, giving you the best chance of winning.

Good strategy means guaranteed victory

While having a solid strategy is great for reducing the house edge and preparing you for any potential situation, no strategy is 100% guaranteed to win. Blackjack still involves a degree of luck when it comes to card drawing, so don’t expect to win every time even with the most optimized strategy.

Blackjack has one of the lowest house edges of all casino games

Blackjack does have the lowest house edge of all casino games, with an average house edge ranging from 0.42%-2%. Using basic strategies can reduce the house edge to 0.5%; maximizing your long-term returns.

You can predict the bust odds based on the dealer’s open cards

This is true because the total hand value has a higher or lower probability of causing a bust depending on the dealer’s up card.

Overall, the odds of busting are highest when the dealer’s upcard is a 5 or a 6, with busting odds of 42.89% and 42.08% respectively. This won’t happen every time, but the odds are averages based on long-term play.

Blackjack strategy charts are important in helping you win

Blackjack charts can help you understand the best moves for each combination of cards, both the dealer’s and your own hand. Having trouble deciding when to hit or stand?

Check out our blackjack charts to know exactly when to take the right action against your own hands and the dealer’s hands.