Blackjack is the card game for intellectuals, mathematicians and those who like a real chance of beating the house. It’s a fun, social game with a serious edge and a fascinating history. Before you take a seat at the table, learn the rules of this classic game and how to maximize your chances for winning.

The object of the game is to draw cards with a value as close to 21 as possible without going bust, and to beat the dealer’s hand. The player does not play against the other players at the table; instead, the player plays against the dealer and the house. A player who wins a hand takes all the chips in play. To win, the player must get a higher total than the dealer’s, or have a hand value of 21 with an ace (hence the name of the game, “blackjack”).

There are many rules of the game, but the basic ones are: the players place their bets in the circle on the edge of the table, and the dealer deals two cards face up to each player, and then takes his own two cards. The players then either hit, meaning they ask the dealer for another card, or stand, meaning they keep their current cards and try to beat the dealer’s hand. The dealer must also follow specific predetermined rules regarding whether to hit or stand, depending on the numerical value of his own cards.

After the players have their hands, the dealer checks for a blackjack by looking at his hole card through a special viewing window on the table. If the dealer has a blackjack, he pays everyone their original bets, and anyone who bought insurance gets a 2-1 payoff on their insurance wagers. Otherwise, the players play their hands normally.

Novice blackjack players make big mistakes by playing their hands too conservatively. They’ll stand too often when they should be hitting, and fail to double down or split pairs when the odds are favorable. In the long run, this gives up a lot of money to the house.

Expert players, on the other hand, exploit every opportunity to increase their winnings. They’ll split pairs 4x and double down when the odds favor it, and they’ll hit their 16 against a dealer’s 7 more often than they’ll lose with a hand that would have to bust if they stood.

Blackjack dealers must have a strong understanding of the rules of the game, as well as how to pay out winning bets quickly and accurately. They must be on the lookout for any players who might be trying to cheat or otherwise defraud the casino. Having competence in mathematics is also important, as it allows them to count the value of each player’s cards quickly and communicate their status to the rest of the table. This helps maintain the momentum of the game. They’ll also use their knowledge of blackjack to spot any players who may be using a system to manipulate the game, which is against casino regulations.