Blackjack is a game of chance and skill that is played by people all over the world. The objective of the game is to have a hand that is closer in value to 21 than the dealer’s, without going bust. The game of blackjack is played with one to eight 52-card decks, and all cards have a face value – 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 — and an ace that can count as either 1 or 11.
A player may ask the dealer for another card (hit) or stay with their current hand (stand). If the player’s two cards have a total of 21, it is a blackjack and the player wins 1.5 times their original bet. This is a very high house edge and a good reason to learn basic strategy.
Players can split pairs of cards when they are dealt them, or at the beginning of each round. Splitting pairs is a very profitable move when playing blackjack, as it allows the player to create two hands and play them independently. The player can also double down on their initial bet after splitting, and this increases their chances of winning the hand. However, there are some situations when it is not recommended to do so, such as a pair of 2s against a dealer’s 9.
Once the players have their hand values and the dealer has hers, she will look at her hole card. If she has a ten underneath, the dealer will have a blackjack and win all the players’ insurance bets. Otherwise, the dealer will continue to draw cards until she has a total of 17 or higher.
The game of blackjack is played on a semicircular table and can be hosted by a casino or in the home with friends. Usually the blackjack tables accommodate a maximum of seven players. The table is covered with felt and a chip rack. The dealers stand behind the table and the chip rack. A quick way to pay is to grab a stack of chips that match the color of the players’ bet and then place it next to theirs. The player then simply swipes it with their finger and it’s paid.
Once all the players have their hands and the dealer has hers, the player with the highest hand-total wins. The dealer will sweep your bet if you have a lower hand-total than the dealer’s, but will pay you one times your wager if you have a higher hand-total. Some casinos reduce the 3 to 2 payout for blackjacks, which makes it less profitable to play the game. Some even have 6 to 5 blackjacks, which further decreases the house edge and makes counting cards useless. Always be sure to read the rules of the game before you begin.