Dispelling Online Blackjack Myths - Episode 1

2006 June 24, Jonny Vincent

If you play Blackjack long enough, you'll hear a lot of statements that may sound like wisdom but, the truth is, they are often just myths and couldn't be further from the truth. In this article, we'll quickly look at some of the more common online blackjack myths and, hopefully, dispel them but showing you the logic explaining why they are incorrect and why they'll cost you money in the long run.

Myth: You should always split picture cards and Tens against a dealer 5 or 6. You maximize your profits this way as a 5 or 6 is a very bad card for the dealer and will probably make him bust.

Like most myths, there is an element of good logic on which the myth is based. If the dealer has 5 or 6, it is a bad card and there is a likely chance the dealer will bust. However, you should never split picture cards and Tens against the dealer as you are splitting up a very strong hand (20) and creating two hands with only potential - potential to make two good hands, potential to make one good hand and one bad hand, and potential to make two bad hands.

It's the latter two of these possibilities that makes splitting picture cards and Tens a bad move. The value you gain from the possibility that you'll create two good hands by splitting is not worth the value you lose due to the possibility that you create a good and a bad hand or, even worse, two bad hands.

Jonny's Online Blackjack Rule 1: Never split 20, which is a good hand, just to have the chance of making two good hands. The risk that you'll get two bad hands or a good hand and a bad hand, is not worth the possible gains.

Myth: Always take Even Money when you have Blackjack and the dealer has an Ace. Don't get greedy – it's better to lock up a win than risk the dealer getting Blackjack and you get nothing. You should try and win every hand in Blackjack and Even Money is a win!

Greed is rarely an admirable trait – however, if you are going to be a serious gambler, you need to be greedy! The aim of all gambling is to maximize your winnings and minimize your losses, not to win every hand of Blackjack. The greatest Blackjack players in the world often lose more hands than they win – but they maximize their winnings on the hands they do win.

It is always a bad idea to take Even Money when you have Blackjack and the dealer has an Ace. Sure, it may seem like good insurance to accept Even Money, but in reality, this insurance is too expensive and not worth the risk.

Jonny's Online Blackjack Rule 2: Never accept Even Money with Blackjack. There will be times when the dealer gets Blackjack and your hand is a push, but over the long run, you'll make more money by not accepting the Even Money offer.

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