Blackjack is a simple game but you still need to keep in mind a few items before you even think of playing. Go through these basic tips, go to the casino and take your time observing a few players, then go for it by sitting down and trying your luck. When in doubt, you can always ask the dealer.

You Need Chips to Play
You do not need cash for betting, you need chips. You can buy chips in different denominations at the main cashier or at the table itself. Do not touch your bet once the dealer starts giving out the cards. If you do, you’re likely to get a verbal slap on the wrist, often accompanied by a stern look from the dealer.

Know the Dealer Minimum Rule
Watch the dealer’s cards, they are required to draw to at least 17. In other words, the dealer can’t quit drawing cards until her hand totals 17 or higher. Remember this since it will be important for your strategy.

Don’t Touch Those Cards
Most Las Vegas casino blackjack games use six decks of cards all mixed together in a shoe, which is a special card dispenser. The cards are dealt face up in front of you. Don’t touch them! The dealer is the only one allowed to handle the cards in these multi-deck games. Dealers don’t like it at all when you touch the cards. You can occasionally find a single-deck game where the dealer deals the cards by hand, face down in front of you. In this scenario, you are permitted to touch them, since you need to see what you got. As a side note, most single-deck games pay 6:5 on a natural blackjack instead of 3:2 on multi-deck games.

Find a Dealer That Matches Your Mood
Look around the floor first for dealers that are not too boring or too serious looking. Go for the one that smiles once in a while, chats or gives occasional advice. It goes a long way to make the session more fun. This is up to you. If you are in a serious mood yourself, the boring and serious dealer might be a better fit. You can look for fun also. Same concept as in the preceding bullet, only this one has to do with the other gamblers at the table. If every one is sitting around looking sour and concentrating mightily on their cards, you may want to bypass the table if you are looking for fun. Scope out a table where players are whooping it up, and you may have a better time. Poker tournaments.

Keep a Stash
This is a strange tip when gambling, but do save. Keep two piles of chips, one for betting and one for saving. Every time you win a hand, set aside part of your winnings into the “save” pile, and then, well, don’t touch it. As you continue to play and the betting pile goes to zero, this is your cue to stop playing. At least you still have money left.

Practice with Video Blackjack If You Are a Beginner
Most of the better casinos have nifty computerized video blackjack games that cost a quarter a try. Because most blackjack tables on the Strip start at $10, this is an economical way to at least get a feel for the game before you start laying down real money. It will not feel the same as having a real dealer but the rules are the same and it’s perfect especially if you are a beginner.

If You Are in Vegas, Gamble Downtown
Serious gamblers, and by that we mean those who play to win, pure and simple, particularly blackjack players, always gamble downtown. They don’t care about glitz, and flash, and themes. You can get single-deck play, where the odds are better. The minimum bets in these parts can be as low as $5 as compared to the $10 bets on the Strip . Play poker.

Lastly, be sure to ask the dealer or the pit boss about restaurants, shows, and attractions in the resort where you are playing. You will probably get a comp on meals, show tickets and other discounts, specially if you have been betting more than $20 per hand for a few hours. Remember that they will not offer these goodies unless you ask.

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