Errors of a Blackjack Rookie

Even experienced card counters are vulnerable to making mistakes. But rookies make innocent errors time and again.

Topping the list is sitting at a table with limits one does not have a bankroll for. Before settling down on a particular chair check out the betting range so as not to upset the dealer and other players.

Don't throw one chip into the betting circle and once it is there don't touch it anymore. For if one does so one might be mistaken for slight of hand. And when one stack one's chip properly the dealer will not have a hard time telling if one has doubled down.

Do not touch or even attempt to touch a face up card on the table. This action is discouraged because of cheater's tendency to mark cards with his or her sharp nails. Remember to handle one's cards properly. Holding it in an unusual way will alert the dealer's attention.

Impatience is a game buster. Do not go to the table with a mind set on winning immediately. Blackjack is meant to be a fun game. A blackjack game may go for many hours and having the outlook that only makes one feel right next to losing. Do not also chase after losses in one night for in the end all one wins is nothing. Winning in gambling games is seen in the long term so do not be impatient.

There is one belief one should not follow: increasing one's bet on an occasion of a loss and decreasing the bet in case of a win. This gambler's fallacy has not been proven. There is no rationale on such belief. A logical suggestion would be creating a betting plan for each game.

And if this game plan does not work, make another. For every failed plan made needs revision or refinements. Rookies tend to repeat the same mistakes over and over until they become more experienced.

Never say die is not applicable in blackjack. There are really times when one has to give up. In the casino one always has an option to surrender, take a loss when one has a very bad hand. Doing so can save one from disaster, one can save half of the bet.

Winning blackjack is not as easy as 1-2-3. To have an edge one must learn how to card count and know the basic strategy. These two tips are not easy to learn and will take time and great effort to remember. But these strategies do guarantee big returns once they are mastered. Blackjack also needs a huge bankroll. The effects of winning will be seen in upcoming years.