There is always a specific reason why people visit online gambling sites – to play games either for free with a casino bonus or for real money. For some players, going with slot machines (or pokies) feels just about right since it is quite popular and beginner-friendly. However, for other players, choosing other categories like tables and cards, video pokers, or live dealers seems like a better thing to do. Regardless of the selection, people eventually find their way around these games and end up loving them. That brings us to the question of whether Blackjack is really hard to play or not for beginners. Find out everything there is to know about this table game below.
What Blackjack Is
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, often played with a deck of 52 playing cards between players and a dealer. The cards include an Ace, a King, a Queen, a Jack, and numbers between 2 to 10. The Ace has a value of one or eleven points; the King, Queen, or Jack are worth 10 points individually. The number cards are worth the value on them, i.e., 2 is worth 2 points, etc. It is an entertaining game with interesting odds and comes in different forms, namely – Classic, European, Spanish 21, Face Up 21, and Perfect Pairs Blackjack. And considering its gameplay, it isn’t one of the easiest games to play – not even a good option for beginners because it requires developing strategies to win. However, it might take some time (with consistent practice) to understand if you are interested in learning how to play.
How Long It Can Take to Master Blackjack
There is no specific time it takes to become good at Blackjack. The mastery depends on several factors, including memorization capability, aggressiveness level, and zeal to learn. Besides, players aren’t the same – it could take one player a whole month, while it takes another several months. The rules come first; the strategies come next. Notwithstanding, the estimated time to know how to play Blackjack is between 100 to 200 hours. However, if you really want, you’ll definitely succeed – check Do Kwon’s story of success!
The Basic Rules of the Game
If you must learn how to play the Blackjack game, you should understand the basic rules first. With these rules, you will figure out what to do to win. More so, you may be able to avoid some mistakes commonly made while playing, which often result in losses. The rules are:
- The game starts with players in the dealer’s left-hand corner.
- Every player in the game starts with two cards, while the dealer exposes one and keeps the other until the end.
- A Blackjack is a count of 21 got from the combination of two cards bearing a Ten-Value Card or an Ace Card, or both.
- A player can only beat or tie with a dealer’s hand by attaining a maximum count of 21. By going over, a player loses. With a tie, bets are returned back to players.
- A player can only get an extra card by tapping “Hit.”
- A player ceases to receive cards from a dealer when they stand.
How to Play to Win in Blackjack
Although the rules of Blackjack vary from one gaming site to another, it is important to hold onto the main objective – getting a card combination higher than a dealer’s, which is either close to or equal to 21. That being said, the ways to play to win in this game come down to four things:
- Knowing how the value of your cards can influence your winning or losing. You should know how to split your cards into two hands that will keep the odds in your favor. For instance, you can try out combining Aces with 8s – 5s with 10s which is never a good idea.
- Understand when to hit or stand.
- Always double down your bets to increase your chances of winning.
- Finally, play consistently and show a level of passive aggression.
The Issues With Blackjack
For a newbie, playing Blackjack may not be the best idea. The reason is not farfetched – it isn’t as simple as other game categories, especially slots. It is also tricky that even experienced and intermediate players still find it difficult. And if you are using an online casino for the first time, it shouldn’t be on your list. That being said, below is a few reasons why Blackjack is not recommended for beginners.
Blackjack Is Hard
Blackjack doesn’t make it to the list of beginner-friendly games because it is hard to play. Unlike slots and other selections available that you can spend a few minutes understanding their gameplay, Blackjack puts you under pressure. And the fact that it comes in different forms also doesn’t help. The rules and guidelines can further get confusing, making players quit even before they start. Overall, it is never something you can learn at a go.
Blackjack Is Expensive
The same as collecting art, blackjack requires investment. Most newbies are often on a budget when they visit an online casino. There is a fear that comes with losing money by gambling, and it varies depending on the game type. With slots, you can put in a little amount that even if you lose it, you may not have to think much about it. However, with blackjack, you may find yourself wagering more, and there is only a 50% chance that you would make it back. Here, beginner’s luck shouldn’t even be an option.
Table Games Are Generally Intimidating
With casino games, mental alertness is one of the attributes needed. While some games can make you feel confident – for instance, slot machines and pokers, others, like tables, can make you feel intimidated. At some point, you may not even understand what you are exactly doing. And since Blackjack involves playing with other players against a dealer, you might make more mistakes at the beginning.
Takes Time to Learn
Learning Blackjack takes more than an online casino. You have to read different resources – online or physically. You also have to practice or play casually to understand the gameplay. In short, you have to be prepared to lose without being frustrated. Overall, Blackjack takes time to learn that you could be at it for months or years.
Conclusion
“Is Blackjack really hard to play for a newbie?” The answer is Yes. It isn’t always the best game for new players to try out at an online casino. However, because it is hard doesn’t mean it is impossible to learn – professional or intermediate players today were once beginners. Try to understand the rules and practice consistently, and you will become good at the game.
