Blackjack is a card game that is played with one or more decks of cards. It is one of the most popular casino games and can be found in almost every casino. The objective of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. It is played by a dealer and players at the table.

Rules and Procedures

A standard deck of 52 cards is used, with the Jokers removed. The deck is shuffled before each hand and the dealer deals two cards face up to each player and one face up to himself. The first player to act will receive the dealer’s first card and then take their turn to play.

Strategy

The best hand in Blackjack is a combination of an Ace with a 10-card or face card. This is called a natural or “blackjack” and it beats any other hand, except for a dealer’s “blackjack”, which is a tie (called a push).

You can double your bet after receiving the first two cards in blackjack. This option is most often available for hands that have a total of nine or less, but it may also be offered for higher value hands. In most casinos, double downs are allowed up to three times. However, some casinos limit the number of times that a player can double down, or only allow it in certain situations.

Don’t Split Two Tens

A pair of ten-value cards is an excellent hand in blackjack, and it should never be split. If the second card is an Ace, you can re-split it into up to four separate hands.

Don’t Stand Against Six or Lower Values

The most important rule in blackjack is to avoid standing against weak cards. This is because it will lead to a bust. It’s not good for your bankroll and it can result in losing your entire wager if you lose too many hands.

Do not Take Insurance Against the Dealer’s Hole Card

If the dealer’s up card is an ace, you can make a side bet called insurance. This bet pays twice the original bet if the dealer has a “blackjack” and will pay even money for a “natural”.

Don’t Double Down With More than One Card

The most common strategy in blackjack is to only double down on hands that have a total of twelve or less. This strategy works for most situations, but you should not ever double down on a hand with more than one card unless you have a high probability of winning.

Don’t Stand Against Sevens or Lowervalued Cards

The dealer will usually only hit on sevens and lower valued cards, but this depends on the house rules at your casino. If the dealer has a hand with six or less, they will probably have to hit, but if they have a hand with eighteen or more, they will have to stand.

Having an open mouth in blackjack is the best thing you can do, but be careful not to say anything that could make the dealer think that you’re trying to cheat them. You want to blend in with the rest of the crowd, and a mute person is a far more likely candidate than someone who yells at the dealer.