Blackjack is a casino card game that involves players and the dealer. Each player is dealt two cards and may choose to either stand or draw more cards based on a set of rules. The goal is to accumulate a hand with a point value as close to 21 as possible without going over. The player wins the hand if it beats the dealer’s. If both the player and dealer have a hand with the same point value, it is called a push and neither loses.
The house edge in blackjack is high if the game is played poorly, but it can be reduced to about 0.5% using good strategy. The best way to improve your chances of winning is to practice basic strategy and keep your bets low.
Basic strategy is a simple system that determines when you should hit and when to stand or double down. It differs slightly from one casino to another, but the general rule is that you should only hit when your point total is lower than the dealer’s. In addition, you should only double down when the dealer is showing a 4 or higher.
Another factor that can impact your win rate is evaluating the dealer’s upcard. A weak upcard means that you should stay on more cards, while a strong upcard means that you should hit more often.
In some blackjack games, the dealer will offer insurance to the players. This side-bet pays 2:1, and protects the player’s initial bet in case the dealer has a blackjack. However, the player must be aware that the dealer’s hidden card is likely to be an ace. If the dealer has an ace exposed, all player hands will be lost, except for a player with a blackjack, which would be paid at 1:1.
A player should never take insurance unless they are confident that the dealer has a blackjack. Otherwise, the player will be losing a lot of money. It is also important to know when to split, and which hands are better to stay on. For example, splitting aces against a dealer’s 2 or 3 is a good decision.
As a blackjack dealer, it is your job to update the players on their betting status. This is typically done through verbal and nonverbal communication, such as nodding or paraphrasing. It is also important to listen actively to the players. This is an essential part of customer service, and it shows that you are paying attention to their thoughts. This will help them feel comfortable, and it can make the game more fun for both the player and the dealer. It will also increase the quality of the customer experience. A dealer who doesn’t listen to the players may not be able to respond adequately to their questions and concerns.