Blackjack is a card game that pits the player against the dealer. The objective of the player is to have a hand value closer to 21 than that of the dealer, without going over 21. The other players at the table are irrelevant; the player competes only with the dealer’s hand. The game of blackjack has many facets. The rules, variations, and side bets can make it seem complicated, but it actually is very simple.
The first step in playing blackjack is to find a seat at a table. Typically, blackjack tables can accommodate five to seven players. If a seat is empty, the player may assume that it is free to take (unless there is a jacket or chips held by another player in that spot). The dealer will then deal two cards to each player and take one card himself, face up. The players then have the option to hit, which means taking another card, or stand, meaning keeping their current hand value. The dealer then pays those who win according to specific predetermined rules.
In live blackjack games, the cards are dealt from a shoe that holds multiple decks of cards. The shoes are shuffled frequently, usually after around 50% of the cards have been played. This makes it hard to count cards, but it also keeps the game fair for all players.
If the player’s initial two cards form a pair of face cards or 10s, giving a total of 21, this is called a “natural.” The player immediately wins against the dealer’s hand and all other players at the table. If the player has a natural and the dealer does not, the player receives one and a half times his or her bet amount.
It is possible to improve a player’s odds of winning by using basic strategy, which is based on the probability of various hands being made based on millions of blackjack hands that have been played in the past. A basic strategy chart is available for download on most blackjack websites. The chart explains the correct move to make in each situation and is easy to read.
There are hundreds of different side bets that can be placed at blackjack tables. Some of them can be very lucrative, especially for a player who knows how to play the game correctly and has an edge over the dealer. Side bets can include placing a bet on the dealer having a blackjack, betting on whether or not the dealer will bust, etc.
While some of these side bets can have a positive impact on the player’s odds, others can dramatically worsen them. For example, insurance bets are a bad bet for the player because they give the dealer an advantage by paying 2:1 when the dealer has a blackjack. Players should avoid making insurance bets at all costs.