Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, thanks to its simple rules and low house edge. However, the game can be even more profitable for players who use a well-researched strategy. A basic strategy chart can help players determine the best decision in any situation and maximize winning hands in the long run.

There are also several additional strategies that can be used to increase the player’s chances of winning, including card counting and shuffle tracking. These advanced strategies may require more time to learn, but they can give the player a significant advantage in the long run. In addition to learning the basic strategy, it is important for players to avoid making impulsive decisions based on their emotions or how they feel about a particular hand.

Novice blackjack players often make a number of errors that cost them money in the long run. They tend to stand too often when they should hit and fail to double down or split pairs as often as they should. By contrast, expert players take every opportunity to maximize their wins and cut their losses.

Regardless of how much the dealer has in his hand, the player should always split any pair of 8s or aces. This will significantly reduce the dealer’s chances of busting and increase the player’s chance of hitting a blackjack. In addition, the player should also hit any hand that is 16 or higher against a dealer’s upcard, unless it is a ten-value card.

The first step in developing a winning blackjack strategy is to choose the right cards to hold. This is done by calculating the probability of hitting the desired total in a given scenario, based on the number and type of cards in the deck and the dealer’s upcard. This can be done using a number of different strategies, such as the Hi-Lo method or one of many card counting systems.

Once the player has chosen his cards, he must decide whether to hit or stand. If his initial two cards combine for 21 or more, he has a “natural” and wins one and a half times his bet. However, this only applies if the dealer does not have a natural as well.

Another factor that is often overlooked by novices is the impact of other players’ playing decisions on their own odds of winning. Regardless of how the other players at the table are betting and playing, the player’s own blackjack strategy should remain unchanged. Additionally, it is important for players to resist increasing their bets because they are on a losing streak. This type of staking strategy will not improve the player’s odds of winning, and in fact will often exacerbate the losses they are experiencing.