Blackjack has long been one of, if not the, most popular table games on the casino floor. It is a fun game and actually has the best odds in the house. This keeps blackjack players coming back for more, time and again. There are plenty of theories and strategies people love to use. Some are more trustworthy than others. There’s Basic Strategy which, of course, you have to know in order to be successful. Then, there are hundreds of ways to use your wagers to your advantage such as the progressive theory. And, of course, there’s card counting which is reserved for the intellectuals. Every theory has some merit to it, however, the most overlooked advantage you can get at a blackjack table is simply to play alone.
Playing solo, just one on one versus the dealer, is the preferred way to play blackjack for those looking to make as much money as they can. While you still need to play the game correctly and get on more hot streaks than cold, playing one on one versus the dealer allows you a few advantages that playing at a full table doesn’t. Blackjack is a fickle game, and you need every advantage you can get in order to walk away a winner. Here, we’ve compiled a list of how playing one on one can help you do just that.
No Rush
Quick play is the first factor you’ll notice when you play one on one. There is no waiting around at all and the hands move double time. While this may seem like a disadvantage, it isn’t at all. In fact, it will slow the game down for you. With no one else at your table, you’re free to play at your own pace. You can take your time on tough decisions and even ask the dealer for standard advice without having to worry about holding anyone else up. We all know the feeling when deciding whether or not to split a pair of sevens, and it is much easier when all eyes aren’t on you. Take your time and play your game, no one else will be there to complain.
No Pressure
The pressure you feel at a full blackjack table is real and directly affects your play. Not only can you feel rushed at a full table but there is also the pressure to belong. No one wants to look like they don’t know what they are doing or that they are losing money while gambling. Gamblers are very proud people, and this favors the house. Blackjack players not self-confident enough to eliminate all of these distractions are not going to be successful, and the easiest way to make sure you don’t fall into this trap is to simply play alone.
No One Else to Blame
The “he took my card,” lament is one of the most overheard phrases around a blackjack table. This, of course, is also the biggest misconception around a blackjack table. Sure, it is true in some instances that a player taking a hit when they shouldn’t can goof up the whole table. However, it is important to remember, that’s not how blackjack is played. After all, blackjack is not a team game. It is you versus the dealer, and you are allowed to hit, stay, double, and split all you want, the rest of the table be damned. It is also important to remember that the “he took my card,” mindset is governed completely be hindsight. If the hit would have resulted in a table win, then it’s a “good hit,” and everyone moves on to the next hand. Playing one on one eliminates all of this nonsense and allows you to concentrate on the job at hand, beating the dealer. That is all blackjack is, and when you lose sight of that, you are putting yourself into a bad spot. Play one on one and there’s no one else to blame.
Streaks Come Quickly
Being the only person at the blackjack table is obviously going to speed up the action. There’s no waiting around for others at all, there’s no one else to deal to, and there’s no one else weighing their options. Boom, boom, boom, next hand is how it goes. Having such fast-moving action means that streaks come around much quicker and last longer than at a full table. Keep in mind, this means cold streaks as well as hot streaks, and it’s something you must know before settling in at a blackjack table by yourself. A cold streak will happen, and you must be able to weather that storm. The cards will warm up, but you need to have a bankroll that can handle such wild swings because if a cold streak comes before a hot one, your bankroll will feel it.
