Tips and Strategies for Casino Blackjack

This article isn't intended to warn about addiction, or to tell you to not gamble with more than you can afford to lose.  Those are worthy thoughts, but not the idea behind this article.  I want to give you some information that will allow a new player to go into a casino, and have some fun playing blackjack.  Afterall, playing (and winning at) blackjack in a casino can be tons of fun, but nothing can be worse than standing around in a casino not knowing how to play any games.

First off, approaching the blackjack table.  Each blackjack table has a placard on one end showing the table minimums, and maximums.  Chances are, the maximums won't be an issue, but you want to make sure you have enough cash to play at least 6 to 8 hands.  Ideally, more.  For example, you really shouldn't sit at a $10 blackjack table, unless you are putting $100 into play.  If that is the smallest table you can find, and you only have $50, go for it.  But please don't sit at a $10 table and throw down a $20 bill.  You are just interrupting the flow of the game.

Once you find your table, try to join in when the dealer is shuffling (lingo: "in between shoes").  The dealer usually deals from six to eight decks of cards mixed into one "shoe."  This limits card-counting, something the casino frowns upon.  It is polite to wait until the end of one shoe to join the game, or at least ask the players if they mind if you join, or if you should wait til the end of the shoe.  Most players will say you can join in right away, but if they are on a hot streak, they may ask you to wait til the end of the shoe.  When you are about to join in, place your cash on the table in front of you, and the dealer will take it and exchange it for chips.  The dealer can not take anything directly from your hands, or they will get in trouble from security.