Blackjack is a game of chance with elements of skill, and the best way to improve your chances of winning is by learning basic strategy. Understanding when to hit, stand, double down or surrender based on your hand and the dealer’s up card can significantly reduce the house edge. Effective bankroll management is also key to long-term success, so always bet only one to two percent of your total blackjack budget per hand.
The game is played on a semicircular table that can accommodate anywhere from five to seven players, or “spots.” Each player places his or her bet in a designated area on the table. Players and the dealer each receive two cards. Players win if their hand totals higher than the dealer’s without going over 21. Players also win if their hand contains an Ace and a card valued at 10; this is known as a “soft” blackjack and is more valuable than a regular blackjack, which only pays 3:2.
A blackjack table offers several other betting options in addition to the main bet, including splitting and insurance. Splitting pairs of similar cards like two nines or two threes allows the players to form two new hands with a single bet and play them separately. This increases the payouts for these hands and, depending on the dealer’s up card, can sometimes result in a better hand than if the players had just stayed with their original two cards.
In order to maximize your odds of winning, you should learn to keep a running count of the number of cards dealt. This can be done by simply counting the cards as they are dealt, or by using a blackjack counting system. While most casinos are aware of this practice and employ countermeasures to deter it, keeping a running count can still give you a significant advantage over the house.
When to hit
A good rule of thumb is to hit any hand that totals 16 or less, as it will be difficult for you to bust with this number. You should also consider hitting any soft 17 through 18 when the dealer has a weak upcard, as doing so will increase your odds of winning.
Purchasing insurance in blackjack is a very bad idea, as it will cost you more money than you will win back if the dealer has a blackjack. In addition, most blackjack side bets have a negative house edge, so you should avoid them. There are, however, a few side bets that offer very good payouts and should therefore be considered when playing this game. For example, you should always split aces and eights, as doing so will increase your odds of beating the dealer. Also, if you have an ace and a six, it is usually a good idea to split this hand as well. This will allow you to make a four-card poker hand and can dramatically improve your odds of winning.