Blackjack is a casino game that combines elements of chance and player skill. It is played with a deck of 52 cards and requires knowledge of card combinations to play correctly. The goal of the game is to beat the dealer by getting closer to 21 than he does without busting.

How to Play

The first step in playing blackjack is to place a wager and wait for the dealer to deal you two cards. Then you decide whether to stand, hit, double down or split your hand. You can also buy insurance against the dealer’s ace, which is worth at least your original wager.

You can also split pairs of identical cards and play them independently. For example, you might split a pair of aces and draw a card on each. If you do this, your total is 21, which is a Blackjack (a hand worth 3:2 on the dealer’s bet).

Rules and Variations

In most variations of the game, players may hit or stand on any number between 1 and 12 except for aces, which must always be hit. The rules for doubling down vary, but it is often possible to double down on an ace or a 10-value card if the dealer has a face card showing.

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games and is played at casinos all over the world. The game is easy to learn, but there are some things you should know about it before you start playing.

There are many different types of games of blackjack, including American, European, and French. The American version is the most widely played, and it has several variants.

Depending on the location, blackjack can be played with a single deck or multi-deck. In some casinos, the rules of the game are not printed on the felt, and players must rely on their memory to know which card combination is allowed.

Basic Strategy

The best way to beat the house in blackjack is by playing according to basic strategy. This strategy allows players to reduce the house edge to a small percentage. It also requires players to follow the house rules as closely as possible.

When playing according to basic strategy, the average blackjack player loses about 1% of their action over the long run, which is less than the average house edge for all other casino games. However, deviations from basic strategy increase the house edge and may lead to a loss of over 5% of a player’s bankroll.

Side Bets

Traditionally, a side bet in blackjack has been called “insurance.” This is a wager equal to the initial bet that a player makes, and it pays out if the dealer’s face-up card is a 10 or Ace. In some cases, insurance can be bought by all players at the table.

If a player’s hand exceeds the dealer’s, the hand is called a bust. If the hand is equal, it’s a push and no exchange of bets occurs.