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Bet Smarter: The Common Online Blackjack Mistakes to Avoid

02 February 2025 09:47, UTC

Across the gambling space, online blackjack has been proven as one of the most popular games. The game’s objective is to get a hand that is as close to 21 as possible without going over the number. It is a simple concept, so you should expect that most players will always get it right.

However, that is not the case since there are plenty of common mistakes you can make in online blackjack. Have a look at what players tend to struggle with when playing this game.

Ignoring bankroll management

Before learning how to play blackjack, you must have foundational knowledge about dealing with money. It is important to manage your bankroll when playing blackjack as you might go overboard at times, and not maximise your wagers.

While the goal is to win in the game, you should know how to manage your budget properly. It is ideal to start low when you are just getting started. You can ramp up your wagers when you become more familiar and experienced. It would be best to not make lofty bets and chase your losses unless you have a deeper budget than most people.

Playing blackjack without a strategy or direction

Most people will know that blackjack is not a game where you can control the factors. It all depends on luck and randomness, but there are ways you can get positive results consistently. A random number generator runs the game, but you should know that having a strategy with your wagers could go a long way.

Playing blackjack can be simple, especially if you have a strategy to follow. You can be a better player if you apply this, as some players just go with their gut feeling, which can lead to some bad losses. Here are some strategies you should be familiar with, so you can elevate your gameplay:

  • Martingale — This strategy involves doubling down after a loss to regain the losses you just suffered while winning a good reward. It can be challenging to do this given that it is chasing a loss, but you must have a good budget for using this strategy.

For example, you placed a bet worth US$1 at first, but after you lose, you can switch that to US$2 in the second bet to regain the loss while winning a good-value reward for your bet.

  • Paroli — Think of this as the reverse Martingale as you are still doubling down, but this time, it’s for the win you have experienced. Think of it as a commitment to getting bigger rewards, but the risk is there since losing here will leave you losing the initial reward and suffer a bigger loss.

For example, you placed a US$4 bet, and then you won in the blackjack game. Double down and place a US$8 wager for a chance at a bigger reward, which is risky, but it’s worth it.

  • 1-3-2-6 — With the 1-3-2-6 sequence, you are multiplying the wager with each number present. This only happens after every win, so think of it as a more structured version of the Paroli system.

For example, you placed a US$2 bet in the first round and you won a reward. That will be multiplied by each number in the sequence after every consecutive win. As soon as you hit the limit of 6 or the final number, you return to the start.

Placing side bets without understanding them

Blackjack is already an exciting game with the standard bets, but it gets better with the help of side bets. That boosts the potential for higher payouts because these side bets add an extra layer to the gameplay.

They can be risky to place as some people are unaware of how they work. With that, here are the popular side bets:

  • Insurance bet — Whenever a dealer’s face-up card is an ace, you are allowed to place an additional bet. If the dealer has blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1.

  • Perfect pairs — This gives you a payout when you get matching pairs from the first two cards, which could be identical cards (perfect), same rank and colour (coloured pair), or same rank and different colour (mixed pair).

  • 21+3 — This side bet turns blackjack into more of a hybrid game as it incorporates poker-style hands. It is based on the first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card, and if they form a strong hand, you win a payout.

    • Suited trips — three identical cards

    • Straight flush — three consecutive suited cards

    • Three-of-a-kind — three cards of the same rank

    • Straight — three consecutive cards

    • Flush — three cards of the same suit.

By knowing this, you become more familiar with the side bets and be prepared to make the best wagers possible. As long as you understand them, you can play the game better and use your strategies on them as well.

Not knowing the differences between blackjack variations

Not all blackjack games follow the same rule, since there are plenty of versions available. Before you play the blackjack game, it is important to read up on the game’s rules, since you may misunderstand it and lead to wrong moves.

You might assume all blackjack games work the same, but it depends on the provider’s vision. Always check the game rules before playing, so you know what to do when you start playing.

The standard blackjack game is there, but creativity has been present in the online gambling space. Check them out and learn how to play blackjack and its many variations. Have fun with the game and be varied with the blackjack games available to you!