Whenever I log in to my favorite sites to play any of the classic favorites like blackjack, baccarat, and numerous poker variants, I always make sure I’m familiar with the rules before playing, and where possible, I will always try anything new in the free-play demo mode before risking my hard-earned cash in the real money mode.
If you also enjoy playing cards on licensed and regulated websites that offer real money gambling services or would like to play card games on one of these sites for the first time and want to know more about how you can get up to speed with any of these traditional titles, you’re in luck.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to get better at cards without having to cheat or become a master at card counting.
How to get good at playing cards without cheating
The quickest, easiest, and most convenient way I learned how to play almost all of the card games I still enjoy today was to play online from my mobile device and avoid going into a land-based gaming venue.
I prefer playing online because many of the card variants available on almost all the sites I have joined are accessible in the free-play demo mode, meaning I can play cards without risking my hard-earned cash.
I couldn’t ever walk into a land-based venue and play blackjack, baccarat, hold ’em, three-card poker, hi-lo, Caribbean stud poker or any other variant in the practice mode. The free-play mode doesn’t exist at land-based venues offering these classic card variants.
Since playing online, I’ve found countless computer-generated card favorites with high or above-average return to player (RTP%) payout rates from the industry’s most well-established providers, all available in the risk-free demo mode, which was ideal for me whenever I was learning a new variant for the first time.
Playing with fun chips instead of cold hard currency was an excellent way for me to ease myself into any new card variant I tried, and I strongly advise anyone new to the classics to do the same.
Should I learn to count cards?
No. When playing online, you won’t need to learn how to count cards, which I wouldn’t recommend trying to learn anyway, whether you are playing online or offline, because in most places, although card counting isn’t illegal as mentioned here at Casinomeister.com (https://www.casinomeister.com/blog/why-is-counting-cards-illegal/), it’s heavily frowned upon; at land based casinos, card counting can pose a serious risk.
Counting cards is extremely different anyway and is not something you can apply online. Also, counting cards at land-based venues is likely to get you kicked out if you are caught employing this strategy.
To get better at playing cards, here are some of the safest ways you might like to try that have worked well for me and many other players I’ve spoken to:
- Learn the rules before playing any card variant – the rules are easy to find, especially when playing online at a licensed and regulated site
- Never learn how to play cards (or play cards) while in an altered state of consciousness. In other words, avoid playing while tired, intoxicated, or under the influence. Doing so could lead to you making costly errors or taking bigger risks that you wouldn’t normally take
- Practice playing in the free-play demo mode, where possible, before playing cards in the real money mode, and perhaps watch as many free videos on sites like YouTube before trying it yourself or listen to classic podcasts. If a free-play mode using fun chips isn’t available, remember to start at the low-stakes tables
- Learn basic strategies that may exist when playing specific card variants. For example, in blackjack, you should start by learning basic blackjack strategy, which tells you what your next move should be in specific situations
- Don’t get greedy
- Remain focused
- Learn from your mistakes
- Don’t place unnecessary bets. For example, don’t take the insurance bet when playing blackjack
- Get to know the odds and implied probability rates of certain hands and their likelihood of showing up to help you place more strategic bets
- Manage your bankroll by using safer gambling tools and gambling responsibly at all times. Doing so will help your bankroll stretch further, giving you more time to play your favorite blackjack, poker, and baccarat variants
If you can remember some of these simple tips, you will become much better at playing your favorite cards in no time.
When playing online from your preferred PC or mobile device, remember to take frequent session breaks and only play on fully licensed and regulated sites that are legally permitted to operate in your country.
Final thoughts
As you can see, you can get good at cards in many ways without ever having to cheat. One of the other things I have noticed is that today’s best live dealer card variants from award-winning providers, such as Playtech, Evolution, and Pragmatic, also provide mini video tutorials before you play, which last anywhere from 20 to 40 seconds at most.
When I first started learning how to play cards online from these companies, I would always watch their tutorial videos until I had familiarized myself with the rules for that particular card variant, and I suggest you do the same.
It makes learning how to play more fun, and I also think it will help you learn how to play cards far quicker than reading countless in-depth and often confusing articles about how to play.
If you decide to play online but would rather play computer-generated cards before trying live dealer cards, some of the most notable providers to keep an eye out for are GamesGlobal, Play’n GO, Switch Studios, Relax, NetEnt, Playtech, Realistic, and Inspired, to name a few market-leading companies.
