Blackjack is one of the most popular casino table games. It originated in 17th and 18th century Europe as a combination of other card games and then made its way to America where it became the game that we know today. There are many different ways to play the game but if you stick to basic strategy, you can beat the dealer every time. If you want to win at blackjack, you need to understand the rules of the game and learn how to use proper card counting strategies.

The dealers in a game of blackjack deal two cards to each player and themselves. The dealer then checks their hole card to see if they have a blackjack. If they do, all players that don’t have blackjack will lose their bets. If they don’t, the game continues and all the players will make their decisions. The dealer will then play their hand.

During the game, dealers will interact with the players and set the mood of the table. They also keep track of the betting and make the necessary deductions. Some dealers are good at this and some are not. A good dealer will create an atmosphere that is friendly and inviting while maintaining the integrity of the game. They will also be able to keep the players on their toes and prevent them from slipping into complacency or taking unnecessary risks.

Most casinos will offer a variety of side bets in the game of blackjack. These side bets can be placed at the same time that you place your main wager. Among the most common is insurance which pays out at 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. There are also bets that pay if the dealer has a pair or if your hand makes a poker hand with theirs. There are hundreds of other side bets that are available but they all have the same rules as the main wager.

While playing the game, you should remember that you only get paid if your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s. If your first two cards total 21, or if you have an Ace with a 10, Jack, Queen or King you will have a blackjack. This will be a winner and you will be paid one times your wager. If you and the dealer have the same hand-total then it is considered a push and your bet will remain on the table.

It is important that you do not take even money with a blackjack because this will lower the payout from 3:2 to 1:1. You can usually tell if the dealer has an ace by watching how long they take to look at it and what angle they bend it at. This is a key aspect of card counters’ strategy. They also need to pay attention to the dealer’s behavior and how they handle their own cards. This will help them determine what moves to make in order to beat the dealer.