Blackjack is one of those games shrouded in mystery – so much gossip goes on around the table and the dealer always seems like a mysterious figure who knows more than you do. He probably does know more – but that’s just because he’s an expert at Blackjack.

He definitely knows that most of the myths thrown around by players at the table are not true. So here are some of the most common myths about Blackjack, busted.

10 In The Hole

One of the most common Blackjack “facts” you’ll hear is that the dealer always has a 10 in the hole. Mathematically, this just isn’t possible, as only approximately 30% of the deck has a value of 10 (10, Jack, Queen and King). In fact, it’s more likely that the dealer doesn’t have a 10 in the whole. And there are no shenanigans performed by the dealer to influence these percentages – the card that ends up there is random.

Bad Players Hurt Your Chances

Another myth you will often hear is that if other players at the table are bad, they will hurt your chances of winning. Early on, it’s possible that the person who plays before you can influence the cards you get, but this always evens out in the end and does not affect the ultimate result of the game. In the end, it’s all down to your own skill and Lady Luck.

Card Counting Is Illegal

Okay, this one is a myth, but that doesn’t mean you should count cards. It just means you can’t be arrested for doing it. You can still be kicked out for it though – casinos do not like people who count cards, and they are within their rights to ask people to leave if they see them counting cards. However, it is not actually against the law.

Get As Close As Possible To 21

Sometimes it is not just the other players who can lead you to false beliefs – often, Blackjack game descriptions can make you think that getting to 21 is the main goal and you should always get as close as you can to it. It’s not true – 21 is just the upper limit. If there’s a good chance of winning the hand when you’re at 17, go for that rather than risking your cards just to get Blackjack.

Accept Even Money When Dealt A Blackjack

This one is very widespread. It is the idea that you should make an even money or insurance bet when the dealer is showing an ace, which pays 2 to 1. Actually, the 2-1 odds are a little misleading. The chances of the dealer not having a Blackjack are actually a lot higher than the chances of him having a Blackjack – 69% versus 31%. So although you might suffer a small loss, maths is on the side of holding out for a bigger win with the original bet.

As you can see, sometimes believing Blackjack myths can cost you a win. So keep these in mind next time you’re sitting at the Blackjack table, so you can always make the smart choices!