Casino Blackjack Tips
When you play blackjack in a casino or online, there are some things you should keep in mind and try to follow. Following a basic blackjack strategy will help you increase your odds of winning. Below are some blackjack tips for playing in a live casino.
Use a Strategy Card
I strongly suggest making your decisions at the blackjack table by using basic strategy. A Basic Strategy card can be found here. It will tell you when to hit, stay, split and double down. The blackjack strategy card will tell you what choice is best to make in any possible situation, based on odds. You will not get rich using basic strategy, but it does help you to play consistent and avoid those moments where you want to kick yourself for not playing smart.
Tip the Dealer
If you are playing at a blackjack table in a casino, it is important to remember that the blackjack dealer is a lot like a bartender or restaurant server, in the aspect that they are there serving you, entertaining you, making the game different than on the Internet or on a slot machine, making it more personable and about you. They, like bartenders and restaurant wait staff, get paid minimum wage by the casino which means they rely on tips from blackjack players to pay their rent each month. A happy blackjack dealer can definitely be worth the effort. A happy (well tipped) blackjack dealer can also push for more generous comps, or freebies from the casino, to thank you for your play.
Wait for the Next Shoe
If you approach a blackjack table and blackjack player at the table asks you to please wait until the next shoe, it really is best that you do wait for the next shoe, it is the polite thing to offer in the first place. Waiting for the next shoe simply means you are going to wait to play until after the dealer shuffles the cards.
Join the Casino Players Club
I also suggest, as you enter the casino, before you play any blackjack or any other form of gaming, you sign up for a casino players card. The players card can be usually applied for at the customer service window. You can always ask the blackjack pit boss to get you an application or at least lead you in the right direction of getting a players card. A players card is what the casino uses to monitor your play and reward you for your time spent at the casino by giving you free buffets, show tickets, hotel rooms, parking validation, sometimes cigarettes and even cash can be rewarded for your stay at the casino. It is also the casinos way of sending you personal invitations to upcoming events and other special promotions. Once you have your players card, be sure to put it in to any slot machine you play, show it to any pit boss near where you are playing and they will ensure that your action is recognized and rewarded.
Know Your Surroundings
As you sit at blackjack tables or go to the rest rooms, I would be sure to always be very aware of your surroundings, have a close grip on your assets and always be on your best behavior. The casino environment tends to draw a wide variety of characters to the gaming world. You should also be aware that the cameras are always watching and anything you do in a casino or at the blackjack table is being watched and recorded.
Good luck at the Blackjack Tables!
