Blackjack is a card game that pits the player against the dealer. It is played with one or more 52-card decks. Each card has a value — either its number, or face cards with values of 10, or aces with a value of 11. The goal of the player is to build a hand that totals as close to 21 as possible without going over. Players may ask the dealer for more cards (hit) or stick with their current hand (stand). When the player’s total is closer to 21 than that of the dealer, they win.

The game of blackjack has a mathematical advantage for the player, which can be reduced to less than 2% by following certain rules. These rules are based on probability theory and computer simulations. They tell the player exactly what to do based on their hand and the dealer’s upcard, so they can maximize their chances of winning. These are called basic strategy rules.

While you can learn and memorize these rules, it is important to know when to apply them. For example, it is always better to split 8s and Aces than to keep them as singles. This is because they have a much higher probability of making a good hand than keeping them as singles. Also, splitting them can cut your losses or increase your winnings if the dealer has a strong hand.

Another important point to remember is that you should only raise your bets when things are going well for you. This is because you don’t want to start losing money after a long winning streak. Moreover, it is recommended to only raise your bets by increments, rather than doubling or tripling them after every loss. This way, you can manage your bankroll better and still have a chance of getting lucky.

It is also a good idea to stay away from side bets, as these can significantly increase your bankroll and make the game more challenging. In addition, they can distract you from the main objective of a blackjack game: beating the dealer.

Lastly, you should always know when to walk away from a table. Just like in other casino games, blackjack tables can have hot and cold streaks. So, you should walk away when the table is losing and return to your initial bet when it’s winning again. This will help you to avoid going bust and ensure that you are able to finish your blackjack session with a profit.