If you are just starting out at Blackjack, you are probably worried that you will suck at it and will lose all of your money. Sadly, you are probably right. If you just jump right in and do not take any steps to make sure that you know what you are doing, it is hard to be good at anything. There are a few easy things that you can do, however, to make sure that you come at the game from the right angle, with the right knowledge, and do not suck.
First, play for free. Set up an account on a site like Yahoo that will allow you to play Blackjack for free with fictitious money. This way, you can get a true grasp of the game without putting anything on the line. This will allow you to take risks and test out strategies to see what ones work and what ones do not. You will be able to make the mistakes that all beginners make without losing all of your money and having to stop playing entirely. Most people suck at things like Blackjack because they do not have enough practice and make mindless mistakes that they have not had the time to correct. Do not be one of those people. You may feel like you are wasting your time to play for no gain, but it will be worth it in the end.
Next, only take calculated risks. A lot of people are not good because they get scared that they are going to lose and Hit when they have no business doing it. Pretend you have eighteen. Could the House get to nineteen, twenty, or twenty-one? Yes, it could. It could do so very easily. You should not Hit, though, because the odds are much higher that you will just bust and it will not matter what the House does. Do not give the House such an easy victory because you are nervous. Only take the risks that make the most sense, that have the best chance of paying off.