This article will discuss some of the common mistakes novice and less experienced blackjack players tend to make. Some them are tied to deviating from the predetermined money management system, while others are simply due to lack of discipline.
Raising bets
As we’ve already made it clear in our guide, progression betting can not help you in basic blackjack strategy since the odds are skewed against you. Thus, once you have devised a money management plan, something we thoroughly explained in the respective article, you should stick to it.
This excludes progression betting or any other form of increasing your bets in hasty decisions.
Increasing stakes because of a recent winning streak adds exposure without establishing that the next hand has a better expected return. A streak can end at any point; the law of large numbers does not schedule a compensating run of losses.
The casino staff and other players may advise you to increase your bets while on a winning streak. Players will do that out of curiosity and fun, after all it is not their money on stake, while all the casino wants is to win back its money and move on to yours.
Dealers will press you to raise your bets, saying that it’s the house’s money you stand to lose, but that is just a cheap trick to lure you in – it is your money and you have paid the risk for earning it.
Keep in mind that although at first glance you might perceive losing some of your winnings as an acceptable risk (people tend to think that being at least at breakeven for the night is a consolation), losing your entire profit can be very discouraging and frustrating, and might lead to irrational decisions that could cause a much bigger loss.
Trying to offset losses
The opposite scenario also holds true. Many players give in to negative emotions after losing a series of hands and try to recoup losses by increasing their bets. The mathematics of doubling up shows how the required stake grows after each loss and why finite funds can prevent the recovery bet.
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Players might become discouraged when in a losing streak and leave the table, or even worse – they can push their bets higher to regain their money. This is probably the worst thing you can do as it will likely accelerate your losses and ultimately lead to ruin. Losing sessions, entire trips even, are something quite normal within the standard deviation (check calculation example in the article Money Management in Blackjack), and must be digested by players in a proper way.
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Staying within a pre-set budget and time limit can restrict further exposure. It does not make continued play risk-free or guarantee recovery of money already lost.
Be well rested
Playing much longer than intended and getting tired can greatly impede your performance. After all, blackjack is a game of skill and fast thinking, not tossing a coin. The lack of concentration, as a result of fatigue, can cause you to misplay some obvious hands that you would otherwise beat with ease.
Overbetting for freebies
Another common mistake is to overplay your bankroll for freebies. Don’t forget that complimentary items are used by casinos to attract players and keep them at the table for longer. As such, freebies come at a price – they are generally proportional to a player’s expected loss. As a proper basic strategy player, at a player-friendly table you will play at a disadvantage of around 0.5% against the house.
Thus, in order to be near-even or slightly ahead with comps factored in, you need to keep losses at a minimum. And since overbetting, regardless of the reason, has the potential to lead to ruin, it must be avoided. You need to properly size the bets you can afford to your bankroll, and starting from there to see what comps you can aim for.
The same counts for overbetting to impress someone. People often tend to get hyped when surrounded by friends and in a good mood. Also, you might think that the beautiful girl you’ve been eyeing the entire night might be attracted by your large bets. Well, losing your money will definitely not impress her and your bankroll won’t feel any better as well.
To tip or not to tip, and how much
Although customary, tipping is not mandatory. If a player decides to tip the dealer, this must be done in accordance to his bankroll and expected performance.
Dealers do make a difference when it comes to the table’s atmosphere, but also game speed. And so, if a dealer does their job well and improves your casino experience, you can show gratitude by tipping.
Treat tips as an additional expense within the entertainment budget. A player using basic strategy ordinarily still faces a house edge, so tips should not be budgeted against an assumed positive expected win.
You can choose not to tip at all, but a small gesture can go a long way. Being known as a tipper may help extend the comps you receive.
You can also tip waitress who service you, and although they have nothing to do with your game, leaving small tips can still do good for improving your reputation in the eyes of pit bosses and hosts. However, those tokes should be limited as well, as they do pile up to a significant enough figure when you draw the line.
Free alcohol
And while we are on the subject, you should definitely watch out for the number of drinks you have. Free drinks are common for casinos and many players really enjoy and demand them as a complimentary item for playing. Be sure to set concrete limitations, if you want to drink the occasional cocktail or whiskey while playing. Alcohol can cloud your judgment and even if you don’t feel tipsy, your logic and speed of thought can be impaired, leading to wrong decisions.
