Home > Article Listing > Blackjack Psychology

Casino Article

Blackjack Psychology

Blackjack, more than almost any casino game, is a game of skill. Sure, there is some luck mixed in (sometimes you just can’t get good cards) but knowing when to hit or stand is crucial to the outcome of your Blackjack hands.

But one thing that gets largely overlooked when it comes to Blackjack skill is emotions. Being able to control your emotions is a skill that few Blackjack ‘betting systems’ teach, and even fewer Blackjack players master. But it is essential if you want to be a successful Blackjack player.


* First thing is to go into the casino with a clear mind. If you have any nagging worries or thoughts, try to leave them at the door or before you login to the online casino. If you don’t, you may find yourself distracted, and not playing your best Blackjack. This is especially true if you are playing at a multi-player table. In the interest of etiquette and timeliness, you will be expected to make quicker decisions than if you were playing alone. This is just not possible if you are distracted and your mind is not focusing on the task at hand.


* The next thing is to play for fun. This does affect your play, more than you think. Going into a game with a ‘fun’ mindset as opposed to a ‘must-win’ mindset means you will not make decisions based on stress or other factors.


For example- some people go into a casino with the expectation of winning big. While this is certainly possible, it is not probable. If you go in expecting to win a large amount of hands, you will soon realize that this is rarely the case. If you start losing with such high expectations, it can turn into a variety of emotions- anger, frustration, hate, greed, fear, etc. All of these emotions are your enemy when it comes to gambling. They will make you play hands faster, looser and with tainted skills because of the emotions.


Of course, no matter how prepared you are when you go in, you can still fall victim to bad decision-making based on emotions. Even if you start playing with a clear mind and not expecting to win a jackpot, there is a chance that you will not get good cards, or the dealer seems to always beat you. Even the calmest of players will get frustrated by this. And remember- frustration is your enemy. So what to do, what to do?


If you find yourself falling victim to any of these emotions, the best thing to do is walk away. Now, I am not saying leave the casino or logoff and never come back. But taking as little as ten minute break to stretch, breathe and gather your thoughts can go far in changing your state of mind. If you still wish to play, then simply move to another table. Sometimes a mere change in scenery will change your perspective and calm you down. Whatever you choose to do, the main idea is to get rid of the negative emotions that will ultimately cause you to lose money, no matter how skilled of a player that you are.