Blackjack is a card game in which the player aims to beat the dealer by having a hand that totals closer to 21 than the dealer’s. It is usually played on a semi-circular table that can accommodate up to seven players (or “spots”). Many casinos offer side bets such as insurance which pays when the dealer shows an ace, and “double down.”

Before you start playing, it’s important to understand how the game works. The house edge in blackjack is one of the largest advantages for the casino and can make or break your bankroll. Fortunately, the odds are in your favor if you follow basic strategy. In this article, we’ll teach you the rules of blackjack, including how to set up your game, how to play, and the strategies that will help you win more often.

To begin, you’ll need a deck of cards and a blackjack table. You can find these in most casinos, but it’s best to bring your own if you can. A blackjack table is typically made of a sturdy hardwood and has spots for up to 7 players. It also has a dealer’s station with a chip rack.

Once you’ve set up your bets and the dealer has shuffled the cards, each player gets two cards. If the player has an ace and a picture card or 10, this is called a “natural” or blackjack. The player wins the hand immediately unless the dealer also has a natural, in which case the hand ties. The dealer will then pay the player one and a half times the original bet amount.

Most players will hit with a hand value of 16 when the dealer has a face-up card that is a 10 or an ace. However, the risk of busting is much higher than the likelihood of beating the dealer with a stand. Therefore, it’s always better to stick with your initial hand and hope that the dealer has a lower one than yours.

A lot of people think that they can improve their odds by taking a chance and splitting their hands, but this is a bad idea. Statistically, splitting your hands will only decrease your winnings. Moreover, it’s very hard to split the perfect hand to beat the dealer.

Using blackjack strategy charts is the best way to maximize your chances of winning. These charts will tell you what to do based on the value of your hand and the dealer’s up card. There are several sets of blackjack strategy charts, one for tables that force the dealer to stand on a soft 17, and another for tables where the dealer must hit a soft 17.

You can find these charts online and in most casino brochures. If you’re a serious blackjack player, you should memorize them. These charts won’t give you 100% perfect blackjack play, but they will improve your odds by a large margin. And they’re a lot easier to remember than perfect blackjack strategy, which requires learning a complicated set of rules.