Blackjack is already a somewhat complex subject because it involves plenty of rules and strategy. So it’s no wonder why many beginners overlook etiquette before they play blackjack. However, if you go into the game without spending any time learning etiquette, you could be in for a rude surprise when visiting land-based casinos. This being the case, let’s discuss some critical etiquette mistakes that you should avoid in order to make yourself look knowledgeable, and keep dealers and other players from hating you.
Etiquette Mistake #1: Touching your Cards
Most casinos don’t allow players to touch their cards because this makes it too easy for card sharps to cheat. Going further, it really annoys dealers when you touch or grab cards after they’re dealt. There is no reason to touch your hand because dealers take care of everything for you. So you can just sit back and relax, and let dealers handle all of the card-touching.
Etiquette Mistake #2: Disrespecting the Dealer/Not Tipping
One nice thing you can count on when you play mobile blackjack is being able to curse at the software-based dealer during a streak of bad luck. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about tipping dealers either when playing mobile blackjack. However, things are completely different at land-based casinos because dealers count on occasional tips, while they don’t count on being cursed out. As for the tips aspect, many players like to give dealers a $5-$10 tip every hour (depending on the stakes). In regards to being courteous, realize that the dealer only deals cards; they don’t alter the long-term odds.
Etiquette Mistake #3: Not knowing Blackjack Strategy Beforehand
No matter whether you play mobile or online blackjack or in land-based casinos, it’s important to know strategy. After all, using great blackjack strategy can help you lower the house edge down to just 0.5%. Even with this being the case, some players neglect to look over strategy before playing, which does more than just hurt their chances of winning. In land-based casinos, it can also make players angry at you – especially if they think you took the dealer’s bust card by hitting when you weren’t supposed to. The reality is that your gaffes won’t really help the dealer beat your tablemates in the long-run, but not every player realizes this, so be prepared.
Etiquette Mistake #4: Criticizing Other Players
Even when you learn lots of blackjack strategy, it doesn’t suddenly give you the right to berate other players for their wrong decisions. You should especially keep this thought in mind if you were criticized by other players while learning the game. Like the old adage states, if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say it. On the other hand, it’s okay to give beginners a helpful suggestion here or there when you’re polite about it. Above all, just realize that no matter how bad somebody is when they play blackjack, they won’t affect your results.
Etiquette Mistake #5: Getting Drunk at the Table
One more etiquette gaffe people make when they play blackjack involves getting drunk. Of course, casinos don’t help matters by serving players drinks, but this is no reason to overindulge. Now it’s okay to have a couple of drinks when you play blackjack; however, you should limit yourself to two or three drinks at the table. Drinking more than this not only puts you at risk for making strategy-based mistakes, but it could also cause you to act like a fool. And this is certainly no way to make friends in blackjack!
You can forget about Etiquette when you Play Mobile Blackjack
Assuming the previously described etiquette mistakes that we’ve discussed sound like a pain to remember, you can always opt for internet blackjack. If you play blackjack on mobile, you can yell as loud as humanly possible after a loss, avoid tipping, and have lots of drinks – though we don’t recommend the latter. Besides sidestepping blackjack etiquette, the mobile game also provides lots of convenience and cuts out any travel costs associated with going to land-based casinos. So you might just want to play mobile blackjack next time you’re up for a game.