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Feature George Pappadopoulos

Negative Feedback
Common blackjack mistakes, and how to avoid them

Hit, stand, double down and split. Most blackjack players think that’s all there is to playing the game. Employing these moves correctly is important, but they alone will not make you a winner. To become a consistent winner you must first understand why most blackjack players are consistent losers: Most players do not enter a casino with a winning plan.

To formulate a winning plan, you must analyze your strengths and weaknesses. But the time to do this is not when you’re at the casino. That’s like learning to speak Spanish on your way to Mexico City. The optimum time to identify your strengths and weaknesses is while you are at home, sipping coffee, with notebook and pencil in hand.

Here’s a simple test for you to take. It’s a list of 11 strengths and 10 weaknesses. Every time you answer yes to a strength, give yourself a point. Every time you answer no to a weakness, give yourself a point. When you’ve finished, add up your score—the objective is to reach 21. Be honest, cheating only hurts.

Strengths

Having a winning plan
Not having time constraints when you play
Not betting higher than your bankroll warrants
Not being influenced by the decisions of other players
Having unwavering discipline
Knowing the casino rules before you play
Focusing on the game, not the surroundings
Taking breaks in between your play
Maximizing your casino stay (i.e., comps and tournaments)
Having a positive winning attitude
Playing only basic blackjack, no trendy gamesWeaknesses

Weaknesses

Drinking alcohol at the table
Not knowing basic strategy perfectly
Exceeding your bankroll (e.g., going to the ATM)
Continuing to play when tired or in a bad mood
Excessive talking at the table
Believing in luck
Having no money management
Playing only for comps
Not having a win goal
Not having a loss limit

Having taken the test, you can now see how difficult it can be to reach 21—but that’s the goal you should strive for if you want to become a consistent winner. You must build on your strengths, know your weaknesses, and work to eliminate them.

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