Blackjack is a casino card game played between the player and the dealer. Each player is dealt two cards and the goal is to build a hand that totals closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand, without going over. The player may hit, stand, double or split the cards according to a set of rules. The game is a game of skill and a valuable part of any casino’s gaming floor. Millions of hands have been analyzed and a strategy has emerged that, when followed closely, improves the players’ chances of winning.
Blackjack is the ideal domain to study regret and its psychological and behavioral consequences because, unlike most real-world situations, participants’ bets are fixed at the time they make a decision. Therefore, confidence in one’s knowledge of the game is a strong predictor of whether a participant will play aggressively or conservatively, and it is an important determinant of their outcome expectations and state anxiety levels. In addition, it has been suggested that greater confidence leads to a larger amount of risk taking.
In our experiments, we manipulated participants’ confidence in their blackjack knowledge and examined its effects on the above consequences. In Study 1, we found that higher levels of unjustified confidence correlated with positive outcome expectations and reduced state anxiety. In addition, confident players were less likely to seek out and consider hints that might have improved their play (information search and consideration).
The results from Study 2 replicated those from Study 1 and additionally showed that greater confidence correlated with more risk taking and a lower likelihood of seeking out information that might improve one’s play (consideration). We also found that more confident players made larger bets when they were not sure of the outcome of their hand, as compared to less-confident players.
Interested applicants can contact casinos directly to find out more about how to become a blackjack dealer. In general, minimum requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of a training program funded by the casino or at a vocational school with a focus on casino game rules and local regulations. The typical duration of the program is six weeks. Candidates should also be aware of the physical demands of the job, including standing for long periods, reaching with their arms and communicating frequently with customers. The job offers varied hours, often including evenings and weekends. Workers are regularly exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke and fumes in a casino environment. Those with a strong interest in customer service and a willingness to work the long hours of a casino should consider this position. The salary for a blackjack dealer depends on the casino and the number of hours worked. Generally, the pay is less than other positions within a casino. Some casinos provide a bonus to blackjack dealers if they meet certain criteria. This could be a percentage of their winnings or an all-or-nothing payout based on the odds of getting a specific type of hand.