Top 5 Blackjack Mistakes to Avoid Online

Making common blackjack mistakes is the quickest way to lose your bankroll fast. Luckily, online blackjack is a simple game to master and profit from if you know the smart plays.

You can become a smarter player by using sound blackjack strategy. While there are certain things you always want to do right, there’s also some online blackjack mistakes to avoid.

I’ve listed the most important problems blackjack players run into, and analyzed how you can bypass them. Before we dive into some blackjack mistakes you can make online, adhere to this checklist of things to do when you play.

• Use a Reputable Online Casino: Step number one is playing at the best blackjack online casinos. Look for sites that offer great bonuses, nice game variety, and an array of live dealer options.
• Print a Cheat Sheet First: A cheat sheet is an invaluable piece of kit for playing blackjack online. It lists the optimal plays based on your cards and the dealer’s. Keep a cheat sheet open in a separate browser window or on your phone as you play.
• Try the Freeplay Blackjack First: Most online blackjack casinos offer a demo-play version of blackjack variants. You can reload free casino chips when you run out.
• Know the Dealer’s Hit/Stand Rules: Blackjack games differ on when the dealer can or must stand or hit. Understand these rules before you play: they will help you make a decision on your hand.
• Double Down: The double down is one of the biggest tools in your blackjack arsenal. You can double your chips to receive one more card – and one only. Knowing when to double down is essential to increasing your stack of chips.

1. Don’t Take Insurance

One of the main blackjack mistakes players make is taking Insurance. You make the Insurance bet if the dealer shows an Ace, with a chance of making blackjack with their other card. 

In theory, Insurance is a safe bet as you win 2/1 if the dealer reveals blackjack (e.g. A-K, with the King as their down-card). In reality, however, the odds are stacked against you. 

The dealer has about a 31% chance of making their blackjack with the cards remaining. However, that means he has a 69% chance of not hitting his blackjack. The 2/1 odds are simply not worth you taking the bet. 

2. Don’t Split Tens

Another big online blackjack mistake people make is splitting tens when they play. It’s understandable for the player: they want to create two winning hands. Ideally, one or both hands will become a blackjack. 

Many blackjack players don’t realize that it’s better to stand on 20 and take the profit there and then. In fact, you win over 80% of the time if you stand on 20 when the dealer shows a low card like a 4 or 5. However, that drops to just over 60% if you split the tens and go for broke. 

The same strategy goes for online blackjack games that let you re-split. It’s tempting to re-split tens if you get dealt them. Avoid this strategy and play it safe with your solid 20.

3. Avoid High-Edge Online Blackjack Variations

Another of the common online blackjack mistakes is to launch head-first into the exciting variants you can try at casinos. There are many online blackjack variants to try, many of which you won’t find at land-based casinos. 

While variants like Blackjack Switch and Blackjack Surrender sound interesting, you must understand the house edge before you sit down. You can check the RTP (Return to Player percentage) of the game when you open it in a browser window. 

Some US-facing casinos spread the same blackjack titles. Alongside classic blackjack, you can play games like Blackjack Switch, Zappit, and Blackjack Double Exposure. 

Double Exposure can be played at BetUS in demo-play or real-money modes. The game has a unique feature where both the dealer’s up-cards are visible. This not only gives you more information, it gives you more scope on what moves to make. Blackjacks are more common but only pay 1/1.

The house edge of 0.67% is a touch higher than the 0.5% of live blackjack or classic blackjack. If you want to gain a little edge, consider heading to Bovada. They’re our #1 site for playing live dealer blackjack thanks to 32 tables and 24/7 availability.

4. Don’t Bet What You Can’t Afford

Good bankroll management is essential for improving profits and correcting blackjack mistakes. Other than not gambling at all (not the point of this guide), we recommend starting small and building a bankroll from there. 

Start by deciding on a budget and making a note of your stakes. Plus, choose a daily limit to stick to, regardless of whether you win or lose. 

The next step is to decide per-game stakes for blackjack online. Something like 1% of your bankroll per hand is ideal to start with (e.g. $1 per hand of a budget of $100). You can increase stakes (e.g. double or triple) if you win and decrease again if you go on a cold streak.  

The key blackjack mistakes are to bet more than you can afford to lose and chase losses. Remember that blackjack – like all online casino games – is designed with an in-built house edge. That means that over time, the casino will always win. The key strategy is in knowing when to adjust stakes and cash out to maximize profits. 

5. Don’t Claim a Bonus with No Blackjack Playthrough 

One of the big blackjack mistakes is not maximizing online casino bonuses. The best online casinos are in a unique position in that they can offer lucrative promotions that land-based casinos can’t. However, not all online blackjack bonuses cater to table game players. 

Our top-rated online casinos, such as DuckyLuck, offer large welcome bonuses to use on selected games. Sign-up bonuses are a good way to earn free cash by opening an account and making a first deposit. 

You make a deposit and receive matched bonus funds to use on eligible games. The terms and conditions page will list the eligibility rates for each table game and slot. 

What you’re looking for is a contribution rate for blackjack in the region of 10%. That means that 10% of all blackjack bets will contribute to the playthrough requirement on your bonus. Anything less than 10% is worth steering clear of. 

Blackjack Dealer Mistakes to Exploit 

What are some blackjack dealer mistakes that could give gamblers an edge, or are there things they’d want to spot so they aren’t cheated or at a clear disadvantage?

If you’re playing live dealer games or are in-person at a casino, you could be looking out for the following blackjack dealer snafus.

Online blackjack is controlled by a random number generator, and computer errors are unheard of. In the land-based casino, trained dealers rarely make mistakes and will be pulled up by a pit boss if anything goes wrong. 

That’s not to say that blackjack dealer mistakes never happen. Experienced professional gamblers will move from casino to casino looking for weak dealers who they can exploit. 

How to Avoid Blackjack Mistakes Online

Avoiding big online blackjack mistakes is the main way to make more money in the long-term. Start by understanding the main rules and plays before heading out into the world of online casinos. 

Remember that like all table games, online blackjack has an in-built house edge that works against the players. You must make optimal plays, avoid taking side bets and Insurance, and keep track of your wagers at all times.

Finally, we always recommend taking out an online casino bonus when you sign up. Open an account, make a small deposit, and earn bonus cash or free credits to use at the blackjack tables. That way, you make the online casino work for you, even when you’re deciding whether to hit or stand. 

If you think you’re ready to play blackjack (near-flawlessly), your next step might be finding the best online casinos that you can trust. Our guide details the best options available to you, and just about every option offers blackjack games.