what’s the safest way to play blackjack if you’re just trying not to lose fast

All my friends know me for sticking to the wheel, but lately I’ve been getting tempted by the blackjack table when the roulette spins get cold. I’m not out here trying to turn $50 into a car payment - just want to play for a good while, enjoy the drinks, not blow my stash too quick. Don’t care much for the wild splits or double downs unless the cards are screaming for it.

Is there a safer pace or playstyle y’all actually use for this? My basic instinct is to play as close to “by the book” as possible, but the table noise always gets me second-guessing. I see some folks never up their bets, and others chase with systems that look like a slippery slope.

Looking for ways to stretch the budget, really. Not expecting miracles, just not trying to walk away broke in under 30 minutes like the one time I got cocky on roulette and ended up hitting the buffet way too early.