Is a beginner justified in using the ‘Safe Play’ strategy (Standing on 12–16 when the dealer shows a weak card)
I’ve been practicing blackjack with a couple of friends, and lately I’ve been leaning into this kind of “Safe Play” approach where I just stand on 12–16 if the dealer is showing something weak. It honestly keeps me calmer, because every time I hit on those awkward totals I feel like I bust instantly. But one of my friends keeps teasing me that it’s a “boring” way to play and that I’ll never learn the real flow of the game if I always go conservative. I’m not trying to be flashy — I just don’t want to sabotage myself every other hand. Do you think it’s fine for a newbie to stick to something safe, or does that hold you back?
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I don’t think there’s anything wrong with playing cautiously at the start. When I first learned, I did the exact same thing because those mid-range totals always freaked me out. Over time I realized that standing when the dealer is likely to bust can actually be the smarter move, not just a “safe” one. I remember checking out https://picgallerybd.com/news/2025/11/11/when-to-hit-stand-double-or-split-in-blackjack/ and understanding the logic behind letting the dealer take the risk instead of doing it myself. Once I got more comfortable with the rhythm of the game, I started mixing in more aggressive decisions, but sticking with the calm approach really helped me build confidence. So don’t let anyone tell you it’s boring — it’s just part of learning.