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Lesson 5.3 Money and time
Limits, Breaks and Help: Play Blackjack With a Plan
In this lesson you will set a money limit and a time limit before you play online blackjack, and switch on the limit tools in your account. You will also learn the signs of a gambling problem and where to find free help.
Set a money limit before the first hand
A money limit is the amount you decide you can lose in one session. A session is one sitting at the table, from start to stop.
Pick the number before the first hand. Use only money you do not need for bills, rent or food.
| Session at a $10 bet | Average loss | Chance of being ahead |
|---|---|---|
| One hundred hands | $6.17 | 48% |
| One thousand hands | $61.75 | 43% |
Even with perfect basic strategy, the house keeps about 0.62% of each bet. You can read more on the house edge page.
The longer you play, the more likely you are to be behind. After ten thousand hands, the chance of being ahead drops to 30%.
When you reach your money limit, stop for the day. Do not add more money to win back what you lost.
Set a time limit and take breaks
Online hands are dealt fast, so time passes quickly. Set a stop time or a number of hands before you start.
- Set an alarm on your phone for the end of the session.
- Take a short break at regular times, for example every half hour.
- Stop when you feel tired, angry or rushed.
Tired players make more mistakes. This hand needs a clear head:
You have hard 16 and the dealer shows a 10. The strategy chart says hit. Here is the full row:
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
Stand against 2–6, hit against 7–A. If you start to forget rows like this, it is time for a break.
Switch on the limit tools
Many online casinos have tools in the account settings that stop you at your limit. Which tools you get depends on the site and on where you live.
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Caps how much money you can add per day, week or month. |
| Loss limit | Caps how much you can lose in a set period. |
| Session reminder | Shows a message on screen after a set time of play. |
| Time-out | Blocks your account for a short period you choose. |
| Self-exclusion | Blocks your account for a long period, often months or years. |
These tools do not change the game or the house edge. They only stop you at the line you picked.
Set your limits on a calm day, before you play – not in the middle of a session.
Know the signs and where to get help
Blackjack should stay a game. The table shows signs that it is becoming a problem, and what to do.
| Sign | What to do |
|---|---|
| You play longer or bet more than you planned. | Stop the session and lower your limits. |
| You chase losses – you bet more to win back money you lost. | Stop for the day. Lost money stays lost. |
| You borrow money or use bill money to play. | Take a time-out in your account and talk to someone. |
| You hide your play from family or friends. | Tell someone you trust how much you play. |
| You feel restless or angry when you cannot play. | Use self-exclusion and look for free help. |
If one of these sounds like you, the responsible gambling page lists free places to get help.
Tell a friend your limits before you play. It is easier to keep a limit someone else knows about.
The lesson on one card
- Set a money limit before the first hand, using only money you can afford to lose.
- Set a time limit or a number of hands, and use a phone alarm.
- Take regular breaks and stop when you feel tired, angry or rushed.
- Switch on deposit limits, loss limits, reminders and time-outs in your account.
- Chasing losses, borrowing or hiding play are signs of a problem.
- Free help is listed on the responsible gambling page.
Check yourself
1. When should you set your money limit for a session?
Before the first hand
Right. A limit set before you play is made with a calm head. It tells you exactly when to stop.
After you lose a few hands
Not quite. After losses you may want to win money back. That makes it hard to pick a sensible limit.
Only when you are ahead
Not quite. Waiting until you are ahead means you play with no limit at the start. The limit must be in place from the first hand.
2. What does a deposit limit do?
It lowers the house edge
Not quite. Limit tools do not change the game. The house edge stays the same.
It caps how much money you can add to your account in a set period
Right. A deposit limit stops new deposits once you reach the amount you picked for the day, week or month.
It stops the dealer from getting blackjack
Not quite. Limit tools have no effect on the cards. They only control your money and time.
3. You set a $20 money limit and a one-hour time limit. After most of the hour you have lost $20. You want to add $20 more to win it back. What should you do?
Add $20 and raise your bets to win it back faster
Not quite. This is chasing losses, one of the signs of a problem. Bigger bets do not change the house edge.
Keep playing with smaller bets until the hour ends
Not quite. Your money limit is already used up. Reaching either limit ends the session.
Stop the session for today
Right. You reached your money limit, so the session is over. Do something else for the rest of the day.