A Guide for First Time Black Jack Players

Black Jack, without question, is one of the most exciting card games that you can play in the casino. For all the games that have emerged, Black Jack remains strong. Tournaments offering thousands of dollars prizes are coming up in droves, and thus drawing more people in.

Winning the big prizes is the goal of all would be Black Jack players, but if you are just starting out, then it is best to hone your skills first. An integral part of becoming a great Black Jack player is just practice. Get a deck of cards and play with your friends or the computer. You do not have to play Black Jack for money; just get a feel for the game.

It is true that the rules of the game are quite simple, but the strategies required to master it are another thing. There is no shortage of Black Jack strategy guides available on the Internet; you just pick the basic tactics and learn the pertinent points by heart.

The first rule in Black Jack is that you should never enter a money game without a strategic plan.

If you are going to play in a casino, then it is important that you become familiar with the hand signals that are used in Black jack. While you can ask the dealer, it can slow down game play and annoy the other players.

The importance of learning the signs used in play cannot be overemphasized; a light tap on the table tells the dealer you want another card, so do not drum your fingers nonchalantly as this might be misconstrued. Also this rule is only for Black jack cards dealt face up. The sign is different for face down cards (grazing the card against the felt). There are also different hand designations for taking a stand, double down, splitting etc.

For new Black Jack players it is also vital that you dispel with any of the myths that you may have associated with the game. The biggest one is that you need to get 21 to win. What you actually need is to beat the dealer; it does not matter if you only have a 17, as long as the dealer's card total is lower.

When you decide to play Black Jack for money, it is imperative that you manage your bankroll. There is no need for complex calculations here. Just remember not to gamble more than you can afford; do not include your payouts in your next wager, and of course, set loss limits.

Finally, remember that Black Jack is a game of chance, and there will be times that you will lose, and perhaps lose big. Do not take it out on the dealer or the other players. If you are playing Black Jack online, then do not go around forums accusing the site of cheating you. Losing is part of the game, and is something that you must be prepared to accept.

Black Jack has been around for over 300 years, and is here to stay. The game is gaining popularity and all your friends and colleagues are playing the game. There is no reason why you should be left behind, so learn the game, win some cash and most of all, have fun.