Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games. Players aim to beat the dealer by getting a total card value of 21 or closer to it without going over. Aces count as 1 or 11, face cards as 10, and the rest as their index value. A hand that combines an ace and a ten-card is known as a blackjack and is paid out at one and a half times the original bet amount.

Blackjack has a relatively low house edge and can be played in many different ways. Some variants allow players to double down or split their hand, while others don’t allow either option. There are also a number of rule variations that impact the game, such as whether the dealer can hit a split hand or not.

The first step to playing blackjack well is understanding the rules. A blackjack cheat sheet is an essential tool for beginners and can help them determine the best move in any situation. The chart can also tell them when they should hit, stand, or double down. It can even recommend what type of bet to place. The cheat sheet can be especially helpful when playing blackjack online.

When the game begins, each player is dealt two cards. If they are unsure what to do, they can ask for advice from the dealer. They can also double down if they think their hand will be stronger than the dealer’s. The dealer will then give the player another card. The player can then choose to keep their current hand or surrender it.

A player may also choose to split their two cards if they have a pair (e.g. two aces or two tens). In this case they will receive an additional card for each of the two hands and play them independently of each other. They can also double down on any split pair.

Whenever the player has a better hand than the dealer, they win. If they have a higher value than 21, they are paid their initial bet amount. If they have a lower value, they lose. If they have a tie with the dealer, they win their original bet amount.

While blackjack has long been the king of the Las Vegas Strip, competition from sports betting and baccarat has started to chip away at its dominance. This has prompted casinos to whittle down the house edge of blackjack and other games. Despite these challenges, the game remains popular around the world and is still one of the most profitable casino games. However, it is important to remember that math is not only fearsome when it’s on a test, but can also be friendlier when it helps you make money. This is why it’s worth learning the game of blackjack.