Blackjack is a game of chance and strategy, and it requires skill to play correctly. If you know how to play blackjack, you can reduce the house edge and improve your odds of winning. However, luck plays a big role in this game as well, so it’s important to remember that there’s no way to predict what will happen.

The objective of a game is to beat the dealer by getting a higher final total than him. There are two ways to achieve this: one is to get a higher card than him, and the other is to avoid busting before him.

To do this, you need to know how the cards are valued: face cards are worth 10, aces count as 1 or 11, and cards numbered 2-10 are also worth their printed values.

You should also remember that the dealer cannot bust unless you do. This means that you must always take your hand seriously and avoid making any mistakes that could cost you money.

There are many resources available to help you develop a strategy for the game of blackjack, and there are even free charts that can be downloaded from most casinos online or in print form. These charts can help you learn the best strategies for each possible combination of your own hand and the dealer’s up card.

Having a strategy is important when playing blackjack because it can save you from making costly mistakes and reducing your bankroll. It’s also an excellent way to ensure that you don’t waste your money on games that don’t pay out.

Once you have a strategy, you can use it to change your betting patterns depending on the outcome of each hand. This will allow you to get the most out of your wins as well as minimizing your losses when you’re on a losing streak.

In some cases, you may wish to surrender your hand if it looks bad. This is a great way to reduce your risk, but it’s important to remember that it won’t get you as much money back.

Another great option is to split your hand if it has the same value as the first. This will increase your chances of winning, and it also lets you play a second hand.

A side bet is a wager that a player can place on the outcome of the dealer’s hand. This is a way to increase your winnings and is an attractive proposition because the house edge on this bet is less than half of that on the standard bet.

It’s also an option if you’re playing in a multi-deck game. This is because there are more decks than usual, and it’s easier to get multiple hands of the same value.

When you’re playing blackjack, it’s important to set limits on your bets. This will prevent you from gambling more than you can afford and it’ll help you keep your emotions in check so you don’t make any bad decisions. It’s also a good idea to play shorter sessions so you don’t lose track of time and end up playing for longer than you should.