Blackjack is a card game played between the dealer and players. The goal is to beat the dealer by getting a higher hand than him. This hand can be made by using a single or more cards, or by splitting a pair of similar-valued cards. The game is a popular casino table game with many variations.
The most common variation of blackjack is played with a standard 52-card deck, though some games use modified decks with special rules regarding the distribution of face cards and jacks. Some blackjack games also have specialized side bets that can increase the house edge. In some cases, these side bets are required by the table’s rules.
To play blackjack, each player places a bet before the dealer deals two cards to each person. The player may then choose to hit, stand, or double down depending on the value of his or her hand and the dealer’s up-card. The player can also choose to add a side bet to his or her wager, such as insurance or even money.
Aside from the basic game rules, a blackjack dealer must follow certain guidelines to ensure fairness and safety for all players. For example, a dealer must always hit on a total of 16 or lower and stand on a total of 17 or higher. In addition, the dealer must never take more than one card on a soft 17 (a jack with an Ace). In some casinos, the dealer is required to hit on a hard 17.
Novice players tend to play their hands too conservatively, failing to split and double down when they should, such as a pair of 2s against a dealer’s 4, and giving up valuable wins to the house. By contrast, expert players exploit every opportunity to maximize their wins, even if it means that they will bust more often.
In order to become a blackjack dealer, you must complete a training program provided by the casino or gaming establishment for which you want to work. The training will cover the rules and procedures of blackjack, as well as customer service and money handling skills. In addition, some casinos will require you to pass a background check and have some previous customer service or casino experience. Generally, the training program takes one to two weeks.