Blackjack is a card game in which the player competes with the dealer for the highest hand value. Players can win by creating a card total higher than the dealer’s, but not exceeding 21. Number cards count as their value, jacks, queens and kings (also known as “picture cards”) count as 10, and aces can be counted as either 1 or 11 depending on which value helps the hand more. If the player goes over 21, they bust and lose.

The game of blackjack is played on a semicircular table that can accommodate varying numbers of players. The dealer stands behind the table and chip rack, facing the players. A dealer’s responsibilities include dealing the cards, taking wagers and collecting them after each round. The job can be very physically demanding, as the dealer must stand for long periods of time and reach with their arms. In addition, dealers can be exposed to secondhand smoke and fumes.

There are several different types of blackjack games, and each one has its own rules and payouts. However, there are some basic principles that apply to all variations of the game. For example, the dealer must always hit a soft 17 and stand against a hard 19. A player should hit below 16 and stand above 17.

Side bets:

There are many different side bets that can be made on blackjack tables. The most common is insurance, but there are hundreds of other types of side bets that can be placed. Some of these side bets can be very profitable for a player who knows how to play the game. These side bets can involve betting on whether or not the dealer will have a blackjack, betting on whether or not the player’s hand will make a poker hand with the dealer’s up-card, etc.

Ties:

A tie in blackjack is called a push and occurs when the player’s hand is equal to the dealer’s. The player will get their original bet back, and the dealer will collect the cards, shuffle them, and start a new round. This is an important rule to remember because it protects the player from a loss if the dealer has a blackjack and the player doesn’t have one as well. This is also the case if the dealer has a blackjack and a player makes an insurance bet. The player will be paid out a 2-1 insurance payoff instead of the normal 3-2 blackjack payout. This is often referred to as even money.