6 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Playing Live Blackjack

Live blackjack is not a complicated game. The rules are simple, and anyone can start playing the game after spending several minutes learning it. However, that does not mean players can't make any mistakes while playing live Blackjack. It is very common for beginners at live blackjack to make mistakes.

If you are not careful, you might lose a lot of money. To help you avoid that, here are our picks of the most common mistakes you should not make while playing live blackjack.

Mistake #1: Selecting 6:5 Live Blackjack Tables

At the best live casinos, there are a ton of options for live blackjack. While most tables have the same rules, some have minor differences. One of the most common differences you get to see with live blackjack is that some tables will offer payouts of 6:5 instead of 3:2.

People often make the mistake of trying them out, but you should always avoid them. At 3:2 tables, you get a return of $750 for every $500 you bet. On the other hand, at 6:5, you get a return of $600 for every $500.

It doesn't make sense to go to a table that pays you less for winning when other tables pay you more for winning. Live blackjack tables that pay 3:2 are only one click away, so always go for them.

Mistake #2: Not Sticking to the Basic Blackjack Strategy

A critical mistake many players make in live dealer blackjack is deviating from the basic blackjack strategy. This well-established strategy is designed to minimize the house edge, maximizing your chances of winning. Straying from it, especially in the high-pressure environment of live online casinos, can lead to impulsive decisions and increased losses.

To avoid this pitfall, players should familiarize themselves with the basic strategy charts, which detail the best actions for any given hand. Consistent application of these guidelines during live blackjack sessions ensures more disciplined and calculated gameplay, significantly enhancing the likelihood of success at the virtual blackjack table.

Mistake #3: Taking Insurance

When you see that the dealer has an Ace in blackjack, the dealer will offer players Insurance, which is essentially a bet on the dealer that they will get a blackjack. Taking Insurance is a big mistake because it reduces the overall probability of getting a positive outcome.

Think of it this way. If you bet heads on a single coin toss, your probability of winning is quite high. However, if you bet heads on another coin toss while betting on the first coin toss, the odds of that happening are low.

Mistake #4: Splitting 10s

If you get two 10s, it doesn't make sense to split. 20 is a decent hand to play in Blackjack, with your chances of winning very high. Do not make the mistake of splitting 10s. Instead, you can stand with your hand and see what plays out.

Split 8s

A common mistake that people make is not splitting 8s. When you get two eights, you run the risk of going over 21 if you hit. On the other hand, if you stand your hand, you run the risk of busting because 16 is not a great hand. It is always better to split when you have two 8s.

Mistake #5: Poor Comprehension of Sign Language

Players should use their hands to indicate their moves. It is an effective way to prevent misunderstandings. Regardless of the type of table they are playing, place the extra chips on the original bet's left side as split or double. To avoid any blackjack mistakes, they should understand the sign language.

Mistake #6: Not Knowing When You Should Double Down

Doubling Down might be something smart to do when you have reasonable chances that the next card will bring you even closer to 21 without actually resulting in a bust. However, there’s an exception to this, and that’s when the dealer has an Ace. Assuming that you play a variant that has the S17 rule, where the dealer stands on soft 17 hand, then Doubling Down on 11s isn’t something you should do, and you should just hit. In online casinos where dealers can still hit on 17, players are advised to use this option when their hand total is 11.

Basically, Double Down is pretty much a great choice if the dealer doesn’t have an Ace showing up. Most players will do this if their hand is 10 or 9 and the dealer’s card is a 5 or a 6.