Blackjack is a casino card game in which players compete against the dealer. The objective is to get a total card value of 21 or close to it without going over, and to beat the dealer’s hand. Each player is dealt two cards and may choose to stand (stop drawing cards) or draw based on a set of rules. The game is often played with a single deck of 52 cards, although some casinos use 2 or more decks. The games are usually played on a semicircular table that can accommodate varying numbers of players, with the dealer standing behind the table and chip rack.

Before each hand is played, the dealer checks their hole card with a special viewing window in the table. If they have a ten underneath, the dealer has a blackjack and will pay off anyone who made an insurance bet (2 to 1 on their original wager). If not, the game proceeds as usual.

The number of cards used in blackjack varies from one casino to another, but most games are played with either a single- or double-deck of standard international cards without jokers, for a total of 52 cards. Some casinos have a limit on the number of decks that can be used, in an effort to deter card counting.

A blackjack dealer’s job is to manage the gaming table and ensure that the players’ bets are placed correctly. They also help the players with any questions they might have and explain the rules of the game. Blackjack dealers must also be able to quickly analyze situations and respond accordingly.

Analytical thinking is an important skill for blackjack dealers, as they are constantly analyzing their customer’s actions at the table to determine whether or not they are playing fairly. If a dealer notices that a player is losing their patience and seems to be giving up, they must be able to evaluate the situation and provide support to encourage them to stay at the table.

In addition to their basic responsibilities, blackjack dealers often train in active listening skills. This involves attentive listening and understanding what is being said. Using nonverbal cues, such as nodding or paraphrasing, blackjack dealers can communicate with their customers to convey that they are listening and understanding them.

During the early days of blackjack, many gambling houses tried to lure players with bonus payouts for certain hands. One such bonus payout was a 10-to-1 payment for a blackjack, which was known as a “blackjack.” While this was once an important part of the game, it is no longer available.

The rules of blackjack vary slightly between different casinos, but in general the goal is to get a hand value of 21 or closer to it than the dealer’s. In most variations, aces count as either 1 or 11, face cards as 10, and the rest at their index value. A player with an ace and a ten is called a “blackjack” or a “natural,” and beats all other hands except a dealer’s blackjack.