Blackjack is a casino game where players try to beat the dealer. Players place their chips in the betting boxes and are dealt two cards each, while the dealer receives one card face up. If a player’s first two cards add up to 21 (an Ace and a picture card or 10), they have won the hand. Players can also double down or split their hands. A blackjack dealer must know all of the rules for different situations and be able to pay out all wagers quickly and accurately. In addition, they must be on the lookout for cheating or other violations by players at their table.
When a player and dealer tie, the hand is considered a push–in other words, neither side wins or loses money. If a player has a blackjack and the dealer doesn’t, however, the player receives his or her original bet back. The dealer then collects the cards, shuffles them and starts a new round.
There are several different games of blackjack, but the basic rules of the game remain the same. Most games are played with one to eight 52-card decks. All number cards (2-10) have their printed values, while the face cards (Jack, Queen and King) are worth 10 points and an Ace can be either 1 or 11. The goal of the game is to finish with a higher total than the dealer’s without going over 21. Dealers must hit with any hand of 16 or less and stand with any hand of 17 or more.
Some casinos allow players to split pairs of non-matching ten value cards, while others limit this option to pairs of identical cards (two Jacks for example). In addition, some casinos only pay out 1:1 on blackjacks made after splitting a pair, not 3:2. Regardless of the rules at a particular table, all blackjack dealers must be able to explain the rules of the game to their players and answer any questions they may have.
The ability to maintain focus during a long game of blackjack is another important skill for a blackjack dealer. The game is fast paced and can be very stressful, so it’s important for a blackjack dealer to be able to concentrate on their work. In addition, they must be able to keep track of all the cards that are dealt and discarded by their players.
Another important skill for a blackjack dealer is the ability to read the players at their table. This includes knowing when a player is bluffing or is trying to conceal their card count. In addition, it’s helpful for a dealer to be able to communicate with other casino employees, such as security, in order to ensure that no one is cheating. A blackjack dealer should also be able to deal with rude or unruly players in a professional manner. A dealer who cannot remain calm and courteous when a player insults the game or another player may lose their job.