Mr Blackjack shares his top tips for creating an environment that matches your gameplay and helps you focus on beating the dealer.
Generally solo is better, but both options have their disadvantages. You play more hands per hour on your own, but you may need a bigger bankroll to cover the extra wagers in your blackjack session. More players mean you have fewer chances of getting blackjack, but it also dilutes any cold streak in the shoe.
The best time to play blackjack is during the day, when the casinos are quieter. The table limits are generally lower, the crowds fewer, and casinos will sometimes offer promotions to encourage players through their doors, i.e. 2:1 payouts on blackjack.
Online casinos are open 24/7, so you can play anytime you want. However, online casinos are busiest in the evening, and so you might find table limits increase, or you may have to wait for a space at a table. If you play during the day, the table limits may be smaller and you can grab a virtual seat straightaway.
Spreading your bets is the best way to make wagers in blackjack. It minimizes your losses when the count is low, and maximizes your winnings when you have the advantage in the game. Card counting and basic strategy will tell you when to adjust your wagers.
If the pit boss thinks you’re card counting, they may try to throw you off your count. Sending waiting staff to you with drinks or changing the dealer are two common methods casinos use to beat card counters.
Some casino guards will turn a blind eye when pictures are taken for social media, but many casinos have policies that restrict filming of their games. Most won’t allow you unless you have permission from them to film to prevent cheating and protect their customers’ privacy.
Some players promote the myth that bad moves by others at the table hurt their odds of winning. In reality, the good and bad moves inexperienced players make void each other, and it shouldn’t harm your expected value.