Blackjack Myths - Common Misconceptions About the Game

Blackjack dates back to around the 1700s, and many misconceptions and myths have sprung up over the years. These myths gather pace and change over time, almost like a 3,000-year-old game of Chinese whispers! Unfortunately, there are many who are uneducated on the game and believe these urban legends to be true. Well, today we’re going to set the record straight.

Like anything in life, gathering as much factual information as possible is the key to unlocking the answers. Here are some of the most common blackjack myths that exist today. Knowing that these aren’t true will help you improve your gameplay.

Myth 1 – Blackjack is purely a game of luck

This is arguably the biggest blackjack myth, and many believe it to be true because it’s not completely untrue. There is, of course, an element of luck involved in blackjack. That’s because we have no control over what cards we are dealt, unless you are card counting. If we choose to hit, we don’t know what card will be drawn and we don’t know what cards the dealer will be dealt either.

However, players make all of the decisions in a game of blackjack and therefore do have plenty of control over the outcome. Skill and strategy are crucial for succeeding in blackjack. Knowing when to stand or hit plays a bigger role in blackjack than luck. You also need to learn how to combine this knowledge to factor in the dealer’s up card.

For example, most people would probably hit when they’re on 14. However, if the dealer’s up card is a three, then there is a high probability that they could be sitting on 13. The probability of them then hitting a 10 from their third card also remains high. So, perhaps standing on 14 is a good option in this instance.

Myth 2 – You can predict the dealer’s hand

Unless you have a crystal ball that can see into the future, you have no way of knowing what down card the dealer has, so you cannot predict their score with certainty. However, you can use probability to help you make an educated decision. Let’s say you were playing a game of blackjack with one standard deck of playing cards. The dealer’s up card is a four and you are holding two nines. This means that we know there are 16 10-scoring cards (4 x 10, J, Q, K) in the pack. A standard deck of cards has 52 in it, but you already know the value of three of the cards. So, there is a 16 in 49 (33%) chance of the dealer’s down-facing card being a 10.

You also can’t predict the dealer’s hand based on the previous games. Each game is random and independent, and although a small percentage of players will attempt to card count, there is still no guarantee that they will be right.

Myth 3 – Always split aces and eights

This is a strategy used by many, but again you should consider the dealer’s up card before making this decision. You must always adapt your strategy according to the cards that you and, probably most importantly, the dealer are dealt. If you go into blackjack with a definitive strategy before a card is even dealt, then it’s likely that you will probably lose more often than not.

Myth 4 – The best time to double down is when you have a 10 or 11

Again, this is another common strategy used, but much like splitting aces and eights, it should be used depending on the situation and not just every time you have these cards. For example, if the dealer has an up card of two, three, four or five, you know that the most a dealer can have is 16 and therefore they must hit. This increases their chances of busting as there are more cards left in the pack that will make them bust than not. So, in this scenario, if you’re holding, say, a seven, eight or nine, doubling down could be a decent option.

Myth 5 – Online blackjack is rigged

This is one of the common blackjack misconceptions that has snowballed over the years. How many times have you heard someone tell you about a bad beat they had? It’s usually followed by an aggrieved comment such as “the game is rigged”. Unfortunately, in society we are statistically inclined to tell people about a bad experience rather than a good one – hence, this one has snowballed.

There is absolutely no truth to this one whatsoever. All reputable online casinos use random number generators (RNGs) to determine the outcome of their games, and the results are regularly audited by third-party regulators such as eCOGRA.

Myth 6 – Card counting is illegal in blackjack

Contrary to popular belief, card counting is not illegal; it’s just frowned upon in land-based casinos. There are several card counting strategies out there, which include the Hi-Lo strategy, the Omega II strategy and the unbalanced counting strategy. However, card counting offers no guarantees of winning at blackjack and obviously cannot be used online as the games are determined by RNGs.

Myth 7 – The house always has an unbeatable advantage

If this one were true, the simple fact of the matter is that nobody would play blackjack. While the house does have an advantage, it is certainly not unbeatable – and if you learn different strategies and study blackjack charts, you can lower the house edge.

Myth 8 – You should always bet the same amount

With this myth, it’s important to understand that each and every blackjack hand dealt is independent and is not affected by the previous hand. Therefore, changing your stakes will have no impact on your chances of winning the next hand.

One of the keys to success in blackjack is bankroll management. You should set a budget before you get started and avoid wagering more than you can afford to lose. Then, based on your risk tolerance, you can determine what percentage of your bankroll you are willing to bet on each hand.

Myth 9 – The more you play, the better your chances

As mentioned, each blackjack hand dealt is independent. Therefore, just because you lose, say, four hands in a row, it doesn’t mean that your chances of winning increase on the next one. Many people believe in the law of averages, and while to some degree they may be true, the law of averages is based on millions of blackjack hands dealt and not just the 20 to 40 hands played during your blackjack session.

Why understanding blackjack strategy is key

The first thing to mention is probably the most obvious one here: understanding blackjack strategy can help you clarify certain myths associated with the game. A myth is just a story, often passed down through generations in some cases. While these stories may be compelling, they generally aren't grounded in facts and can sometimes reflect outdated information. When it comes to parting with your money – whether that’s playing blackjack or making an expensive purchase – do your research.

In the case of blackjack, doing your research and learning the rules will help you significantly. Understanding basic blackjack strategy and probability can increase your chances of winning.

In conclusion – don’t fall for the myths

Hopefully by now you’ve got the point. Unlike many of the myths above, we’re not trying to tell you how to play blackjack; we’re simply explaining the facts so that you can make educated decisions during your next session. By gathering as much information as possible and not listening to myths or hearsay, you can have a greater chance of success when playing blackjack.

Our advice would be to practice different strategies during sessions and figure out what works for you and your budget. Also, make sure that it’s an adaptable approach as there is an element of luck in blackjack that you have no control over. Your blackjack sessions should always be about having fun, and when it comes to blackjack tips, the only one we will give you is to gamble responsibly.