Blackjack is a popular casino game in which you compete against the dealer to make a winning hand of cards. There are many variants of this game, but the basic objective remains the same – to beat the dealer by making a higher card value than him or her. In order to do this, you need to learn the rules of blackjack and use them to your advantage.

Before you play blackjack, you should understand the cards’ values and how they affect your chances of getting a winning hand. Numbered cards from 2 to 10 have their numerical value, while face cards (jack, queen, and king) are worth 10.

The game of blackjack starts when all players are dealt two cards each. Once everyone has made their decision, the dealer will reveal her face-down card and begin to play out her hand. If your hand is better than the dealer’s, you will receive a payout based on your bet and type of win. If you and the dealer have the same hand-total, it’s a push and you keep your bet, but are not paid on it.

If you’re not happy with your starting hand, it’s a good idea to ask for an additional card (hit). This is especially true when your cards total 11 or less. When you hit, you’re essentially asking for more cards until you are satisfied with your hand-total or you go over 21 (bust). Whether you’re happy with your current hand or not, it’s best to stand if your cards are 17 or higher.

You should also be wary of doubling down on hands that would benefit from standing. For example, if you have a starting total of eight and the dealer shows an Ace, it’s usually better to stand than try improving your hand with another card. This is because a hand of nine has a lower value than a hard 17 and you’re more likely to bust with a hit.

The final step in determining your payout is to compare your hand-total against the dealer’s. If your hand is superior, you’ll be paid one and a half times your wager. If you and the dealer have the same value, it’s a push and you get your bet back.

Once the round is over, the dealer will sweep the table and reshuffle the cards for the next round. This is a crucial part of the game because it ensures that all players and the dealer are given a fair chance to win.

During the game, you’ll be faced with several situations in which you must choose between hitting, splitting, or double-downing. To help you make the right decisions, you can consult a blackjack strategy chart that shows you what the correct play is for each scenario. A good blackjack strategy chart will help you maximize your winnings and minimize your losses. While there are no real cheats for blackjack, it’s important to have more than one strategy in your arsenal and adapt it to different scenarios.