New to casino games? Then blackjack is one of the best games to jump into. It’s fast, for one, as well as fun to play.

It’s also pretty simple to pick up – even if you’re a newbie.

But that still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start playing without having a few must-know blackjack tips on your side.

So to set you on a winning trajectory, we’ve listed 7 blackjack tips for newbies.

Read these useful tips below for everything you need to know before you play blackjack online

Know When to Stand and Hit

Blackjack is a game of maths – and a game of risk. But following a basic strategy of knowing when to hit and stand is the easiest way to increase your chances of winning. The best thing is that if you’re a total newbie playing online, there’s nothing wrong with using a blackjack strategy card.

In general, however, a good rule of thumb for blackjack is to stand when your hand value is 17 or more and to hit when your hand value is 8 or lower.

Pay Attention to the Dealer’s Up Card

While basic blackjack strategy is important, it’s also just as important to make your decisions based on the dealer’s up card. This is the card the dealer receives at the beginning of each blackjack hand, which gives an insight into what they might end up on.

For this reason, checking the dealer’s up card will guide your decision to hit or stand. A bad dealer’s up card will generally be a value from 2 to 6 while a good dealer’s up card will be a value from 7 through to ace.

Sit Further Away from the Dealer

This is a simple tip, but one that’s worth knowing if you’re playing blackjack in a casino. The first base position (the seat on the far right, facing the dealer) is the seat the dealer deals to first, and it can be a disadvantage if the game moves quickly.

Put simply, many blackjack players consider the third base position, which is the last seat on the left, to be more advantageous. This is because it can give you more time to think about your decision and also check the dealer’s up card!

Ignore the Other Players

Here’s another simple but important tip if you’re a beginner playing in a brick and mortar casino. It really is simple, as all it is is making sure to remember that you’re playing against the dealer and not the other players sitting at the table.

In other words, don’t get distracted by what other players are doing. Instead, think about what your next decision will be while calculating the odds in your head. Each player is playing against the dealer; not each other!

Know When to Double Down

Doubling down is a blackjack move that involves doubling your initial bet after the first two cards have been dealt. It’s a powerful strategy, but it can also be risky when you’re offered to double down but don’t know when it should be done.

A good rule of thumb, though, is to double down when you have a hand value of 9, 10, or, even better, 11, which gives you the potential of drawing a high-value 10-point card. Still, don’t forget to check the dealer’s up card!

Avoid Taking Insurance

Insurance in blackjack is exactly what it sounds like – a side bet that you can place to protect yourself in case the dealer has a blackjack. For newbies playing blackjack, though, it’s not recommended to play insurance – simply because the house always has the edge.

You’ll get offered to take insurance if the dealer’s up card is an ace. And if you take it, you place another bet that’s half of your original bet. Ultimately, you’re placing another bet that won’t increase your chances of winning, so it’s best avoided unless you want to count the remaining cards in the deck.

Only Play When You’re in a Good Mood

Last but not least, only play blackjack when you’re in a good mood! It might go without saying, but playing in a bad mood can result in poor decision making, a lack of focus, and even mistakes, as well as the potential for losing much more than you expected.

Playing in a good, however, can increase your chances of winning, and generally make playing blackjack more enjoyable. You’ll be more focused and better at making decisions to hit or stand, which can definitely give you an edge over the dealer!

Conclusion

So there you have it, 7 blackjack tips that you need to know if you’re a newbie playing for the first time.

To summarize, know when to hit or stand, pay attention to the dealer’s up card, sit to the left of the dealer, ignore the other players, double down when your hand value is 9 through to 11, avoid taking insurance, and only play when you’re in a good mood.

With these tips, you’ll be better equipped to win more blackjack games, as well as enjoy the games you play!