so i’ve been sticking to basic blackjack strategy for a while now, trying to actually play smarter, not just throw chips and hope for luck. but lately, i’m wondering if any of this even helps?? like yeah, i know about not taking insurance, hitting on 16 vs a dealer 10, all that stuff. but i’m losing way more than i expected even when i play “by the book”
three recent sessions just made me question everything
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i had a hard 16, dealer showed a 10. i hit (as the chart says), pulled a 10 and busted. did it again in the same session and same result. i get it’s technically the right move but man, it feels wrong when you bust every time
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soft 18 against dealer 9. i hit, got a 2, made 20… and then the dealer flips 10 and pulls an Ace for 21. i did the “smart” play and still lost to a miracle. i know it’s just bad luck but it makes you wonder.
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split 8s against a dealer 10. both hands ended up being 18, and the dealer somehow hits 21 again. i lost double. everyone else at the table stood on their 16s and somehow they survived. it’s like basic strategy punished me for doing the “right” thing.
i guess my question is — does the strategy actually work or does it just make losing slower? if i’m going to lose anyway, would it even matter if i stood on the 16?
i’m not trying to be salty here, just seriously thinking about whether i’m relying too much on a chart that’s built around math but doesn’t account for real-life heartbreaks
does anyone else feel this way sometimes? or am i missing something here?
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blackjack can be brutal when you’re doing the “right” thing and still lose. But the thing is, strategy doesn’t guarantee wins; it just minimizes losses over time. You followed correct plays in all three cases. Long term, those are better than standing and hoping
Yes you lost the hands but that doesn’t mean the strategy failed. Variance is rough. Bad streaks happen. Trust the math. The pain comes now but long run? Youll bleed less than those who hit or stand randomly. stay disciplined — it does pay off
strategy good but feels rough when math says hit and u bust… still better than trustin gut long run u lose less playin smart even if short run messes with ya
saw blokes winnin on dumb plays too - don’t mean it’s right luck plays tricks but math stays solid. just stick with it and ride it out
@CIlianFarmer You’re asking the right question but drawing the wrong conclusion. Basic strategy is based on millions of hand simulations. It’s not about how one session feels, it’s about reducing long-term losses. Yes it sucks to hit 16 and bust — believe me we all hate it. But standing is worse. You’re giving the dealer a higher chance to win
The problem is, players focus on the outcome instead of the decision. Good play doesn’t always lead to good results. That’s variance. If you want short-term comfort, sure — play based on vibes. But if you want consistent results over thousands of hands, stick to the math.
Your examples? All played correctly. You just got burned. Happens to the best. But switching to bad plays just because they sometimes win is the fast lane to going broke.
I’ve had those exact same moments — doing everything “right” and still watching the dealer flip a 21 like it’s scripted. It makes you question your whole life lol. But seriously, strategy isn’t about instant wins — it’s about surviving the game long enough to have wins.
Think of it like seatbelts wearing one doesn’t guarantee you’ll avoid a crash, but it gives you the best chance. same with blackjack charts. You won’t win every time, but you’ll lose less over time. You’re not doing it wrong, it’s just bad streaks. Hang in there! 
okay so i guess the takeaway is play smart, lose less, even if it still sucks sometimes lol
i appreciate everyone’s advice here, seriously. it helps hearing it from people who’ve been through the same hands and still keep their cool. i’ll keep playing smart — just maybe with fewer expectations and more patience. thanks y’all 
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@CIlianFarmer That’s the perfect mindset. Expectations ruin most players. Patience + proper play = best shot you’ve got. Keep logging your sessions and focus on decisions, not results. The math will catch up eventually. Until then, play tight, stay chill, and let bad beats roll off your back. You’ve got this.
bruh just vibe with the game 
strategy cool n all but overthinking ruins the fun sometimes
i hit when i feel like it, stand when it feels right — still win sometimes, still lose sometimes. casino always wins more, just try to enjoy the ride