Blackjack is a game of chance, but strategy plays a role too. While luck will determine whether you have a winning hand, it is possible to improve your chances of beating the dealer by studying the rules and paying attention to other players’ hands. In addition, you can learn to count cards and use your knowledge to improve your odds of making the right decision when playing blackjack.

The goal of the game is to beat the dealer with a better hand than his or hers. The best way to do this is to get as close to 21 as possible, but you can also win by making a tie with the dealer. The rules of blackjack vary from casino to casino, but most have the same basic structure. The cards have numerical values of 2 through 10, with aces and picture cards (jacks, queens, and kings) worth 10. A hand that includes an ace and one of the card values worth 10 is known as a “blackjack” and wins you the most money.

To increase your chances of getting a blackjack, you should always try to split pairs of aces and other similar cards. In some cases, splitting a pair of aces will result in a point total of 21, which is a winning hand. However, it is important to note that you can only double down once per round.

Another aspect of blackjack is knowing when to stand and when to hit. It is important to remember that hitting is more likely to make your hand worse, so you should only do it if you are confident that your current hand will beat the dealer’s.

After the player has made their decision, the dealer will reveal his or her hole card and pay out any insurance wagers. If the dealer has a blackjack, all players’ original bets will lose except for those who bought insurance, who will receive their side bets back at a 2:1 payout.

Blackjack side bets have become very popular in the last few decades, with many casinos offering hundreds of different ones on their felts. These bets can range from simple bets on the dealer having a blackjack to complex systems that require advanced math skills and an understanding of probability theory to succeed at.

Those who want to become blackjack dealers must first complete a high school diploma or equivalent and undergo training at a casino. These programs typically last for eight to 12 weeks and give students a chance to practice their skills with other people before working at a table.