If you’re a gambler, there’s a good chance that blackjack is one of your favorite games to play. 

But if you’re not careful, you might be making some costly mistakes without even realizing it. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at the five biggest mistakes new and fairly seasoned gamblers make when playing blackjack – and how to avoid them. 

1. Not Knowing When to Hit or Stand

One of the most important decisions you’ll make in blackjack is whether to hit or stand on your hand. And yet, so many players don’t even know when the correct time to do either is. 

As a general rule of thumb, you should always hit if you have a hand that totals 11 or less. And you should stand if you have a hand that totals 17 or more. 

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule – so it’s important to use your best judgment in each situation.

2. Splitting Pairs Too Often

Many players get too eager to split pairs in blackjack, thinking it’s always the best move. But in reality, there are only certain situations where splitting pairs is advantageous. 

For example, you should never split pairs of 10s or 5s – as these hands already have a good chance of winning. And you should also avoid splitting pairs of 4s if the dealer is showing a 5 or 6. Use your best judgment when splitting pairs, and don’t do it too often.

3. Taking Insurance

Insurance is a side bet in blackjack that players can make when the dealer is showing an Ace. While it may seem like a good idea at first, taking insurance is actually a bad bet for the player. 

This is because the odds of the dealer having a blackjack are only about 9 to 4 – which means you’re not being paid enough to make the bet worthwhile. So unless you’re a card counter who knows when the odds are in your favor, it’s best to avoid taking insurance altogether.

4. Not Paying Attention

This one might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many players make simple mistakes because they’re not paying attention. 

Whether it’s not keeping track of the cards that have been played or making careless bets, not paying attention can cost you dearly in blackjack.

 Always stay focused when you’re playing, and don’t let anything distract you from the task at hand.

5. Playing at the Wrong Table

This is a mistake that many players make, especially beginners. They see an empty blackjack table with a low minimum bet and think it’s the perfect place to start playing. 

But in reality, these tables are usually where the worst players congregate – which means you’re more likely to lose money in the long run. If you’re serious about gambling, make sure to find a table with players of your skill level.

Avoiding these five mistakes will go a long way toward making you a successful blackjack player. But of course, there’s much more to learn if you want to be a true expert. So make sure to do your research and practice as much as you can. With time and effort, you’ll be playing like a pro in no time.