Let’s be honest, the human race loves its myths, misconceptions, and superstitions, and when it comes to online blackjack UK players don’t deviate from this. So, when the rumour mill is whirling, how do you separate fact from fiction? In today’s article we’re giving you a head start as we’ll be debunking 5 of the most common myths surrounding online blackjack. Keep on reading to learn more.
Myth 1: Online Blackjack Is Rigged
Random Number Generator software (RNG) is used to generate random outcomes for each online blackjack game. This program generates hundreds of unique results each second, ensuring that games have no predictable pattern that might be abused by either the player or the casino. In the case of blackjack, online blackjack is theoretically safer and more equitable than conventional casino blackjack, where cards may be inefficiently shuffled. This also means that card counting is ineffective in online blackjack games.
RNG software alone is insufficient to assure fairness, however, since, although very improbable, the casino or software supplier may tamper with the program to obtain non-random outcomes. This is why large software companies let independent laboratories test their games to ensure randomisation and fairness. Popular auditors include eCOGRA, iTech Labs, and GLI; these bodies will award fair games with a certificate of proof.
Alongside this, legitimate online casinos which hold a license from authorities such as the UKGC or MGA will be closely monitored to ensure they operate fairly and to high standards, and may risk their license if these standards dip.
Myth 2: Card Counting Is Effective Online
Keeping track of the cards previously dealt, otherwise known as 'card counting' is an age-old approach used by seasoned players to collect additional strategic information. For example, if a card game is played with one deck and two aces have previously shown but no tens, the probability of drawing another ace is lower (2/52 simplified to 1/26) than that of drawing a ten (4/52 simplified to 1/13).
While card counting is possible in real-world casino blackjack, in online blackjack this is not possible. There are no shoes (decks) or dealers in online blackjack. Each round generates cards at random. The random number generator "shuffles" the cards between rounds.
Because there is no shuffle order and no cut card 80% of the way through the 6-8 shuffled decks, (as in casino blackjack) your previous round's card counting efforts must be restarted before each new round, preventing you from keeping a running tally of more than one card, which is insufficient data to make any type of logical prediction.
Instead, focus on core blackjack strategy, such as using a strategy chart, and make sure you manage your bankroll.
Myth 3: Always Take Insurance When Offered
Blackjack insurance is a side bet that assumes the dealer will have a blackjack if the dealer exhibits an Ace as their face-up card. If that's the case, the insurance bet pays out 2:1 and returns the player's original stake. However, if the dealer does not have blackjack, the player forfeits their insurance stake and the game continues.
Despite its attraction, insurance is often a losing enterprise. Because blackjack is entirely about chance, insurance odds don't work in the long run. The insurance bet payout rate exceeds the dealer's blackjack odds. The dealer's blackjack odds are 30%, which means the gambler will lose their insurance stake 70% of the time. Therefore, unless you decide to use it on a whim, the insurance bet is statistically not worth taking, and you should decline it when offered.
Myth 4: The Goal Is to Get as Close to 21 as Possible
This is a typical misunderstanding that non-blackjack players and new blackjack players make. While ‘21’ is the best possible hand in Blackjack, (with a ‘natural’ being formed by an Ace plus a Royal/10), and is why historically the game is known as “Vingt-un" (21 in French), this is not the goal of the game.
In Blackjack, the goal is to beat the dealer's hand by having a higher total value than them. The misconception surrounding 21 is that if a player or dealer goes over 21 they ‘bust’ which means they automatically lose the round. Remember that in most blackjack games the house rules dictate that the dealer must stand typically on a 16/17, and therefore a total hand of 18 or more may be just as powerful as a hand total of 21. Therefore, do not continue to hit until you either get 21 or go bust, as this is a surefire way to burn through your bankroll with few winning outcomes.
Myth 5: Other Players' Decisions Affect Your Outcome
This is a more widespread misconception about Blackjack games; which possibly has its roots within the ‘gambler’s fallacy’. As it is common in online blackjack for players to game solo, this myth holds little merit, if you are playing an online game with other players, you don’t need to worry about their outcomes. The results of other players have no impact on your hand because all outcomes are random and decided by RNG technology.
Worrying about the results of other players will needlessly distract you from your own game. It is better to keep your head down and focus on your strategy. Rest assured that no other player at the table has any bearing on your odds of winning. Focus on your hand and plan to ensure that you are going in strong against the dealer and have the greatest chance of winning.
Conclusion
If the myths above show anything, it is that as a player you need to be mindful of definitive statements (such as you must always do x, or x is true), because as a game of chance, nothing is certain; ergo there are no definites. Instead, as a savvy player you need to view these statements with scepticism and only focus on those which are backed up by fact, and keep your attention on your own gameplay and responsible gambling practices.
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