Blackjack is a card game that involves skill and strategy, along with a bit of luck. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer by getting a higher hand value than they do without going over 21. The game is played on a semicircular table that can accommodate varying numbers of players (seven “spots” are typical). Players must place their bets in the proper area on the table before they receive their cards.

Before the cards are dealt, the player can choose to make an additional wager equal to or less than their original bet. This is called “Doubling Down.” If the first two cards in a player’s hand have a value of 11 or more, they may elect to draw an additional card. If the player has a Blackjack, their bet wins 3 to 2 and they will not lose their original bet.

Once all players have placed their bets, the dealer will reveal their hole card. If the dealer has a ten showing, they have a blackjack and will pay out all bets including those who have placed insurance wagers. Otherwise, they will collect the insurance wagers and the game continues as normal.

The dealer will then proceed to deal each player one card face up and himself two cards face down. If the dealer has a pair of jacks or better, they will split the cards into two hands and each hand will be dealt a further card. If the dealer has an ace as his up card, the players can opt to purchase insurance by placing a wager equal to half their original bet. If the dealer has a blackjack, the insurance bet will pay 2 to 1.

A player can also win by beating the dealer without having a Blackjack. This is known as a “push” and the player’s bet is returned to them. Ties are a push.

Basic strategy can reduce the house edge for blackjack to less than 1%, but variations in rules and player deviations from the recommended strategy greatly increase this figure. Knowing when to hit, stand, double down or split based on the dealer’s up card can significantly reduce this advantage.

Most blackjack games are played with one or more standard 52-card decks. Each card has a specific worth; face cards (Jack, Queen and King) are worth 10 points; and the Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11. The game is usually played with a single dealer who deals all the cards. A blackjack is a player’s best hand if it contains an ace and a ten-point card. It pays 3 to 2. A Blackjack with an ace and a ten-point side is a “natural” or a “blackjack.” Other suited cards can also form a natural.