Common Myths About Blackjack And Bingo: What Players Often Get Wrong

Image: Pixabay 

Blackjack and bingo are both thoroughly loved games, often by different people and for different reasons. They’re deeply embedded in cultures across the world, immediately recognizable to even those who have minimal interest in this kind of pastime. They’re full of excitement and they have captivated the hearts of players for decades. As is often the case, though, their fame doesn’t necessarily mean everybody has a complete understanding of the two games. We’re here to dispel a few of the myths!

The "Hot Streak" and "Due for a Win" Fallacy

One of the oldest myths in both blackjack and bingo is the idea of hot and cold streaks. When players have been losing repeatedly, they seem to feel that a win “must be coming soon.” This is a misunderstanding of probability. A player must realize that the previous games have no influence on the next round. Each one is statistically separate from all the others and streaks, whether “hot” or “cold,” don’t actually exist. 

In a similar way, some people believe that in bingo, lucky numbers will come out more often or that a blackjack dealer who has just paid out might be more “lucky” than one who hasn’t seen a player win for ages. Not so. The odds of a specific card being drawn or a given bingo ball showing up are independent of any previous runs, and those who make decisions based on the assumption that a lucky run is likely to continue are not really making choices based on reality!

Separating Fact from Fiction in Online Play

The digital era has made these misconceptions more widespread than ever before. With the advent of the Internet, players now have the opportunity to play their traditional casino games in thousands of places around the world. But the Internet is also a breeding ground for every type of misinformation on Earth. 

A person might think they have spotted some trend in the outcomes of a game or that they can predict which number an RNG will choose next, but in reality, casinos spend a great deal of time and effort ensuring that the RNG software they use is extremely good at producing results that can’t be predicted. The best approach is not to hunt for patterns that don't exist, but to go into these online gambling games with a good understanding of how they work and what to reasonably expect. There’s no better way to give yourself an edge in online gambling games than by learning the rules and top strategies before you hit the “play” button - and any true gambling expert will tell you the same!

Bingo Myths: More Cards, More Wins?

Many bingo players believe that the more cards one buys, the greater chance there is to win. Well, this isn’t exactly a myth. Buying more cards does increase the odds that you’ll win, but some players overestimate this effect a little. You might think that going in with twice the number of cards doubles your odds of winning… and you’d be close to correct, but there’s a small detail overlooked here. 

Imagine a game where there’s only one other player, and they’ve bought a single card. If you go in with just 1 card as well, your odds of winning are 50/50, right? But what happens if you buy a second one, and there are now 3 cards in the game? You own 2 of them, so your chances are now 2 to 1. Definitely an improvement, but not the certain win you might have expected by doubling your cards.

Of course, this effect only stands out in the unrealistic example given above. In games where there are hundreds or thousands of players, the effect that buying extra cards has is much smaller, but you’d still be better off playing two separate games with 1 card than 1 game with 2 cards. Confusing, perhaps, but worth understanding!

According to another myth, some numbers are luckier than others. The truth is that every single number has just as much chance of coming up in every draw and there is no special technique for working out what will appear next. Instead of looking for luck, participants should simply enjoy the social side of bingo. After all, games of all kinds are great for socializing.

The Truth About Card Counting in Blackjack

It’s thanks to Hollywood that many players believe that counting cards in blackjack would naturally mean a big win for the player. But although card counting is an acknowledged technique of skilful players and is occasionally employed by them, you shouldn’t think it is as easy to do as they show in movies. And most importantly — it takes absolute concentration and lightning-like mental calculations. Furthermore, most sophisticated casinos (whether land-based or digital) take precautions against this kind of behaviour—for instance, they may use multiple decks or have electronic shuffling machines to prevent these tricks from working.

Besides, card counting is not the perfect tactic that Hollywood likes to portray it as. At best, it offers the player a small edge, but you’re still heavily dependent on luck! Always remember that when you’re engaging in a game like blackjack. It’s part of the joy; where would the fun be if you could win every time just by tracking the cards?

A Realistic Approach to Enjoying These Games

Even though understanding how to play blackjack and how to play bingo can add to your enjoyment significantly, there is no magic that changes the game results. Consequently, utilizing smart money management and leisurely play is generally the best way to approach these games. Knowing the difference between myth and reality when it comes to bingo and blackjack can enhance your fun, so here’s our easy breakdown that you can refer back to whenever you need:

A lot of this article has focused on the serious side of the two games - but if you fancy a break and you want to hear some wild and wonderful blackjack stories, check out the video below, where blackjack players expound on some of the things they’ve done and seen in the past.

Hopefully, you now feel wiser and surer of both games, and whether bingo or blackjack is your top pick, we wish you good luck!