Blackjack is a card game played between the dealer and the players. The goal is to accumulate cards totaling as close to 21 as possible without going over. The player can choose to hit (ask for more cards), stand, or double (the bet is doubled but only one additional card will be dealt). In the case of a tie or a score lower than 21, the hand ends in a push and the bets are collected by the dealer.

Almost every casino offers blackjack and the game can be found in many other gambling environments, including racetracks and horse arenas. To become a blackjack dealer, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and complete a dealer training program sponsored by the casino or as part of a vocational school. The training usually lasts six weeks and covers gaming rules and local regulations. Most dealers today have also completed a course in customer service, which is important since the blackjack table is the center of attention at a casino.

The game is played on a semicircular table that can seat five to seven people. The dealer stands behind the table and chips rack and the players sit on the other side. There are often vacant seats, but be sure to check if the dealer has a No-Midshoe-Entry policy (marked by a sign or an empty spot holding a jacket).

When you’re ready to play, place your chips in the betting box in front of you. The dealer will then flash you a warm smile, wish you good luck, and shuffle and cut the deck. The dealer will then deal you two cards face-down. If you have a soft 17 (ace and a card with value of 10), always hit. If you have a hard 17, stand unless the dealer is showing an ace. If the dealer has a blackjack, all of the players lose their bets unless they have a blackjack themselves. In that case, they get their original bet back, a push.

In addition to the basic rules, there are a number of side bets that can increase your winnings. These include insurance, a side bet that pays 2-to-1 if the dealer has a blackjack, and even money, a side bet that wins when the dealer has an ace up.

Several techniques can help you win at blackjack, including counting cards and playing the proper strategy. It is also important to avoid committing any major mistakes. These include sloppy dealing, ignoring the dealer’s tells, and splitting with bad hands. Most experienced dealers are trained to be discreet and not give away any tells, but it may take time to find a dealer who is not prone to giving away any clues as to the strength of his or her hand. In addition, it’s best to not play at tables where the blackjack payout is 6:5 instead of 3:2. This raises the house edge and takes more money out of your pocket.