Should You Play Like the Dealer in Blackjack?

If you are a blackjack player, you’ve probably heard the advice to “play like the dealer” at some point. But what does that even mean? And more importantly, is it actually good advice?

Let’s start by examining what it means to play like the dealer. In blackjack, the dealer follows a set of rules for how they must play their hand.

They must hit until they have at least 17 points, and then they must stand. They also have restrictions on when they can double down or split their hand.

So when someone tells you to play like the dealer, they are essentially saying that you should follow these same rules for your own hand. Always hit until you have at least 17 points, and then stand.

But is this actually good advice? The short answer is no – playing like the dealer is not a winning strategy in blackjack.

There are a few reasons for this. First of all, the dealer has an advantage in the game because they get to act last.

This means that if both you and the dealer bust (go over 21 points), you still lose – even though technically the dealer busted as well. So simply copying the dealer’s actions puts you at a disadvantage right off the bat.

Additionally, there are certain situations where deviating from the “play like the dealer” strategy can actually increase your odds of winning. For example, if you have a pair of eights (which adds up to 16 points), it’s usually better to split them into two separate hands rather than follow the dealer’s rule of hitting until you reach 17 points.

So if playing like the dealer isn’t a winning strategy, what should you do instead? The answer lies in basic strategy – a set of rules that optimizes your chances of winning based on your hand and the dealer’s up card.

Basic strategy takes into account factors such as how many decks are being used in the game, whether the dealer hits soft 17 (an Ace and a six), and what your own starting hand is. By following basic strategy, you can reduce the house edge (the casino’s advantage) to less than 1%.

Of course, even if you follow basic strategy perfectly, there is still an element of luck involved in blackjack. But by using this strategy instead of blindly copying the dealer’s actions, you give yourself the best chance of coming out ahead in the long run.

In conclusion, while playing like the dealer may seem like a simple and easy-to-remember strategy in blackjack, it’s ultimately not a winning one. Instead, take the time to learn and follow basic strategy – your bankroll will thank you!