Blackjack is a game that requires more than just blind luck to win. A combination of skill, strategy and knowledge is needed to be a winning player. It is important to be aware of the rules and basic strategy of the game before playing. This will help you make more informed decisions when betting. It is also important to know how much of your bankroll to spend before entering a table. Lastly, you should avoid high-stakes games until you have a solid understanding of the game.

The dealer will then make a hand (17 through 21). If their hand is higher than yours, they will sweep your bet and pay you one times your wager. If both hands have the same total, it is called a push (tie) and you keep your money.

Once the player and dealer have finished their hands, they will reveal their hole card(s). If the dealer has a ten underneath, she will have a blackjack, and everyone who placed insurance bets will get paid 2 to 1 on their original wagers. Otherwise, the dealer will continue with the next hand.

Splitting is an option when your starting two cards are a pair, like two nines or two threes. This will require you to place a second bet equal in value and create two separate hands. You should only split if the dealer’s upcard is a seven or higher. You should also split aces and eights whenever possible because they have the highest potential for significant gains.

Double down is a strategic move when your starting two cards have a high enough value to beat the dealer’s hand. In most cases, you will want to double down if the dealer is showing a four or five. This will give you the best chance of making a strong hand before the dealer’s next card is dealt.

When should you hit in blackjack? It is generally a good idea to hit when your starting cards add up to 11 or lower. This is because it is unlikely for you to bust at this point and will increase your chances of winning. However, there are some situations where you should not hit, such as when the dealer has a six or less.

In blackjack, there are a number of different side bets that you can make to increase your winnings. The most common is the insurance bet, which is made by placing a bet that covers the dealer’s blackjack. This bet pays out at 1:1, so it is a low risk way to potentially boost your winnings.

When you are playing blackjack, it is important to have a clear strategy and be able to count the cards. There are a variety of different counting systems that can be used, but the most popular is Hi-Lo. To practice counting, start with a deck of cards and count each card as it is dealt. After a few rounds, you should have a good understanding of how to count cards in blackjack and when to use the correct strategy.