Blackjack is played on a semicircular table that seats varying numbers of players (seven is the norm). After all bets are placed, each player and dealer are dealt two cards. The objective is to get a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer’s. To do this the player must stand or hit.
If the player has a total of 21 on his or her first two cards, it is known as a “blackjack” and the player immediately wins the hand. A blackjack beats any hand that does not have a total of 21, including a pair of aces.
The game of blackjack has many rules, and players must follow them carefully to avoid being called a cheat. In addition to the basic rules, players should learn how to count cards. This helps them determine the probability of getting a particular hand and maximize their profits. The number of cards in a deck, the dealer’s up card, and other factors all affect the game.
A player may ask the dealer for another card when he feels that his or her hand will not bust and is worth risking for the chance of a better hand. Often this involves taking the insurance bet when the dealer shows an ace. The insurance bet pays 2 to 1 if the dealer has blackjack and loses if the dealer does not.
Blackjack dealers must know how to deal with difficult situations and maintain a positive gaming environment for the players. Hiring managers want to know that the dealer can handle these situations with grace, tact, and professionalism while enforcing the rules of the game.
In most casinos, cash is not used to place bets; instead, casino chips are required. When a player places his or her bet, they must first ask the dealer to change their cash into chips. The dealer will then slide the chips toward the player. In most blackjack games, players can play more than one hand per round if there are enough empty betting spots on the table. When playing more than one hand, it is recommended that you never split 10’s or 5’s and always stand against a dealer with a 7 in the hole.
Unlike poker, blackjack is not a team game and is not played against other players at the table. The only opponent is the dealer, and the goal is to beat the dealer by getting a higher hand value than the dealer. Occasionally, players forget that blackjack is fundamentally a two-person game and they get caught up in what other people are doing at the table. This can negatively impact their play. For example, some players will double down when the strategy tells them to stand but they should be more careful not to do this with a soft 18. It is best to stick to basic strategy and only double when the dealer has an ace.