Blackjack is the most popular game in casinos today. It’s been that way for years even though some casinos generate more revenue from high rollers playing baccarat. There are simply more blackjack games in casinos than any other.
New gamblers tend to start their casino experiences with this popular game since it’s often what their experienced friends play. A couple of years ago we offered 5 Simple Tips For New Blackjack Players.
- Learn the rules before you play
- Learn basic strategy
- Understand the table rules
- Manage expectations
- You’re never done learning
These are all still useful tips that any new blackjack player can use. It’s worth reading for the first-timers. Today we’ll share some tips for when you first sit down at the blackjack table. The tips above are a great primer but sitting down to a blackjack game for the first time can be intimidating.
The following tips should make your first visit to a blackjack table less frightening.
1. Place your buy-in on the table
Do not hand your money to the dealer when you sit down at the table. The dealer cannot accept money straight from your hand. Place your buy-in on the table so the surveillance cameras above can see it. The dealer will count your cash and exchange for the same amount of chips for you to play.
If you have a casino loyalty card, you should place that on the table with your cash. The dealer or pit boss will enter it so your information so that you can earn comps.
2. Place your betting chips correctly
Place your chips in the betting circle in front of your seat at the table. If you decide to play a side bet, you can add chips to that circle too. If you’d like to tip the dealer, you can place the money on top of the circle (closer to the bank of chips they pay from). If you want to tip a bet from your hand (You win, they win. You lose they lose) just place the tip at the top of the circle before the hand starts.
When you want to double or split a hand just place the chips next to the original bet in the circle after you decide to make the play.
Not all new players will use different denominations of chips so this won’t apply to everyone. However, if you’re playing an amount that involves multiple chip denominations you’ll want to place the lower denomination chips above higher denominations.
For example, a $30 bet will have a $5 chip on top of the $25 chip. If you place the money incorrectly, the dealer will fix the placement. This just makes the process easier on the dealer.
Lastly, don’t touch your chips once they’re placed in the circle and the cards are dealt.
3. Don’t be afraid to use a blackjack strategy card
You may use a paper blackjack strategy card at the table. However, you may not use a blackjack strategy card that’s on your phone. Phones still can’t be used while playing table games in casinos. Playing with perfect basic strategy lowers the house edge of the game.
This gives you a better chance to walk away from the table a winner. If nothing else, it should prolong the game so you have more fun.
The blackjack strategy card also comes in handy in case other players question your moves. It’s nice to have information to back up your play when someone at the tables questions you.
4. It’s okay to tip
You don’t have to tip but it’s nice to reward the dealer if they’re helpful, fun, and you’re doing well. Don’t feel pressured into tipping if you don’t want to. If you’re losing, you probably won’t be in the mood to tip the dealer.
We shared how to tip when playing blackjack above in section 2. You should remember to tip the cocktail waitresses if you’re drinking. Not only is this a token for the service but it can also remind the cocktail waitress to keep the drinks flowing.
5. Hand signals matter
While the dealer can hear what you’d like to do, the surveillance eye in the sky can’t. You have to indicate what you’d like the dealer to do using hand signals – even if you speak the directions. The dealer will always ask you to use your hands to describe the action you’d like to make.
If you want to hit you can tap the table or swipe your hand toward yourself. If you’d like to stay just wave your hand side to side indicating that you don’t want another card.
When playing a single or double deck pitch game where you can touch the cards you’ll swipe the cards toward yourself to hit and tuck them under your bet to stay. You’ll flip the cards over if you want to split or double.
Have Fun!
Blackjack and all casino games are entertainment. Have fun! You’re risking your hard earned money when you gamble. Everyone at the table, including the dealer, want the players to win.
If someone else at the table is a jerk or their play is bothering you just walk over to another table. The experience isn’t worth dealing with people that aren’t fun.
In addition to the tips above you can see more new blackjack player tips at the following links:
