Blackjack is a card game that pits the player against the dealer. While the game is simpler than poker, it still requires some basic strategy and knowledge of the rules. The objective is to beat the dealer by drawing a hand value of 21 or more on your first two cards, while the dealer fails to do so. The game is simple enough to learn for players of all skill levels. In casinos, a dealer shuffles the deck(s) of cards and deals one card face up to each player. After all players have their cards, the dealer turns the other card over to reveal a hole card. The dealer then takes action based on the house rules, which are usually to hit on a total of 16 or lower and stand on a total of 17 or higher. Some blackjack games also offer side bets like insurance, which pays if the dealer has an ace.
A player may choose to split a pair of identical cards, which creates two separate hands and is played independently. This option is only available for certain pairs, such as two aces or two eights. Alternatively, the player can double down by placing an additional wager equal to their original bet amount. If they have a blackjack on their first two cards, they win the round and the other players lose their original bet. If the dealer has a blackjack, all players lose their original bets except for those who have a blackjack themselves.
When a player has a hand that totals 21 on their first two cards, they are considered to have a “natural” or “blackjack.” In most casinos, this wins the hand against the dealer and the other players. Depending on the casino, this may result in an immediate payout of one and a half times the player’s original bet or it may push (or tie).
After all players have decided their course of action, the dealer collects their cards, shuffles them and begins a new round. Depending on the type of blackjack being played, players may opt to take insurance by placing an additional bet equal to half of their original bet. This bet pays out if the dealer has an ace up and is considered a positive expectation wager.
When dealing cards, dealers should always begin with the player to their left and work their way around the table. It is important to shuffle the cards frequently and to deal alternately to each player. Dealers should also place used cards in a discard pile and reshuffle the deck to start a new round of blackjack. Some blackjack games require that players and dealers take their cards into the box once they bust, which prevents the cards from being reshuffled back into the deck. Some players choose to leave their cards on the table, but this can lead to confusion and conflict among the players. In addition, it is against casino policy for a player to touch their cards once they are in the box.