by Kristin Kolehouse

Created on: June 16, 2009

If you're a blackjack beginner, there may seem to be pitfalls everywhere you turn. If you have ever been to a casino, you have no doubt seen a rather angry man screaming at a confused player at their table. Blackjack should be a fun experience, not an activity that ends with you being berated by four or five other people. There are a few tips you should know as a blackjack novice before you sit down at a table:

1. Do not, under any circumstances, trust your gut. If you have 18 and the dealer is showing a four, don't take a card because of some bizarre feeling you have that a three is certain to come out. It may work out for you once or twice, but try to be realistic, there are more 10s in the deck than there are threes. In the end, you'll only end up losing your money and possibly ruining the hands of the other players at your table.

2. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask questions if you don't know something. The people at your table will be much happier to give you a tip about a particular nuance of the game because the alternative is you messing up the whole table due to your inexperience. Also, the dealers usually know a lot about the game. You can ask them a question if you don't know what to do with your hand. Blackjack is a game of averages so it isn't as if the dealer would be giving you some sort of secret inside information.

3. Even if you're a multi-millionaire, start out playing at a table with a low minimum bet. The people playing at these types of tables are usually a bit more easygoing than the players betting upwards of $10,000 per hand. Once you get a better handle on how to play, you can increase your betting amount or move to a high stakes table.

4. Never split 10s or face cards. The thought of the extra money might be enticing, but you may get the five the player next to you with 16 needs. If that happens you're stuck at 15 and have to take a hit, you will most likely bust and the player next to you will be cursing you out. If you have 20, you will win more often than not, and you will have the added benefit of not being hated by the people at your table.

5. Finally, don't play if you can't afford to. It really is not any fun if you're nervous about losing money the whole time. Sitting at a $5 table, drinking a beer and chatting with the other players is more fun than biting your nails in suspense before every card that comes out of the shoe.

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