When choosing a casino game to play, people are looking for different experiences. There are some who love the thrill of handing the outcome over to Lady Luck. They’re happy to put in the funds, take a spin and just await the outcome. For some, this provides a level of excitement that can’t be matched, as there is no way of knowing what’s going to happen. Other players, however, like to have a little more control. In this article we tell you all about decision making in blackjack.
Blackjack is different to the likes of slots and roulette. It’s a game where skill is required and one where you can have a real impact on the outcome. Players love this game as they get to pit their wits against the dealer and they know, that in the majority of cases, they are responsible for their own wins.
With blackjack being about skill, math and probability, does following hunches have a place? Are there times when it’s wise to ignore what you know you should do and simply follow your gut? That’s what we’re about to explore now.
| 21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only | ||
 | 100% New Player Bonus up to $1000! Best Casino and Sportsbetting in NJ Slots and Live Casino Casino at bet365 – 100% New Player Bonus of up to $1,000! New Casino customers only. Deposit min. $10. Max. bonus $1,000. Value of deposit plus bonus must be wagered 20 times. Time limits and T&Cs apply. | Visit Casino |
The role of decision making in blackjack
With blackjack, you’re in control. It’s the decisions that you make that can lead you to winning or losing. The decision-making process starts way before you study your cards and decide on your next move. First off, you need to decide which game of blackjack you’re going to play. Some of these have better odds than others and you need to be finding those that have the lowest house edge.
When you’ve chosen a table to take a seat at, there are then more decisions that come into play. Firstly, you’re going to need to decide how much you’re going to wager. Alongside this, you’re going to need to consider the side bets that are available and if you’re going to wager on these too.
With the cards being dealt, you’re then faced with a host of choices. These include:
- Stand
- Hit
- Surrender
- Double down
- Split
When you’re considering these choices, it’s good to know that the decision you make really does have an impact on the casino game. You can follow blackjack strategies that assist you and these can bring the house edge down even further, giving you an even greater chance of a win. When you know the process to follow, and when you hone your decision-making, you lower the risks of you going bust and losing your money.
Decision making in blackjack – Strategy vs. hunches
There are really only two reasons why people would opt to follow their hunches rather than sound strategy. Firstly, it could simply be that they’re lazy. Learning blackjack properly takes time and commitment. Some players just can’t be bothered. Secondly, some players just find following a hunch more fun. It brings the blackjack experience to be similar to roulette, craps and slots. Decision-making becomes based on emotion and this means that it’s really just down to luck.
When players take the time to learn blackjack fully, they realize that there’s little point in following a hunch. That’s because there are clear instructions that tell you just what to do in each situation. While your gut may be screaming to do something different, sticking to these instructions will increase your winning ways over the long term. A hunch is just too risky and is a surefire way to burn through your bankroll.
Decision making in blackjack – Why following hunches is a big no-no
You’ve probably already got a feel for how we view this subject. To us, playing according to a hunch just seems a little crazy. It’s a way of taking unnecessary risks and losing more money than you really need to. Rather than relying on a hunch, you should be considering these things instead:
Basic strategy
We’ve already said that, when playing blackjack, there is a way of knowing what move you should make in any given situation. That way of knowing is basic strategy. This is a strategy that is based on probability. It will consider the cards that you’re holding, as well as the dealer’s upcard and will then guide you to what to do next.
Does using basic strategy mean that you win every time? Not at all. However, as it’s based on probability it does, over the long term, mean that you win more than you otherwise would.
Card counting
If you’ve ever read about the biggest blackjack winners, then you’ll probably know they use card counting to their advantage. This skill is one that takes a great deal of time to learn and it needs backing up with a great deal of practice. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s worth dedicating the time to master it.
Rather than relying on a hunch, card counters know the value of the cards that are left in the deck. They know if there are more high-value or low-value ones and they adjust their bets according. The level of their wagers isn’t just left to chance.
Betting systems
Some betting systems have more success than others. However, following a system is still better than just betting a random amount. You may have a hunch that you’re going to have a great hand and so go in big. If you’re wrong, you may find your bankroll all but gone.
By following a system, as well as setting a budget, you’re working within the safer confines of math and probability again. When it comes to your money, this has to be much preferred to simply leaving it all to chance.
Final thoughts
The reality is that, when playing blackjack, a hunch may come good. You could find yourself wagering and winning big all based on a feeling in your gut. However, if you’re looking at winning more frequently, hunches are not something that you can rely upon. The way forward is skill and strategy. You need the discipline to stick to these no matter what. While it may seem frustrating to start with, you’ll soon see the rewards.
| 21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only | ||
| 100% New Player Bonus up to $1000! Best Casino and Sportsbetting in NJ Slots and Live Casino Casino at bet365 – 100% New Player Bonus of up to $1,000! New Casino customers only. Deposit min. $10. Max. bonus $1,000. Value of deposit plus bonus must be wagered 20 times. Time limits and T&Cs apply. | Visit Casino |
