Blackjack is a game of chance, but with a certain amount of strategy you can turn the tables in your favor. The basic objective of the game is to accumulate cards that total as close to 21 as possible without going over. You can play against the dealer or against other players. You can also win money by taking advantage of rules that reduce the house edge.

There are many different variations of blackjack, each with its own set of betting rules. Some are played with one deck of cards, while others use two or more decks. Regardless of the type of blackjack you are playing, there are several terms you need to understand in order to play correctly.

First, you need to know the difference between a stand and a hit. A stand is when you keep your original two cards and do not ask for any additional ones. A hit is when you ask for a card, usually after getting two or more cards with the same number as your original two.

The best hand is a blackjack, which consists of an ace and a card with a value of 10. It pays 3 to 2 in most casinos.

A blackjack can beat any other hand, including a dealer’s 21. It can also beat a hand that is not a blackjack, which is called “soft” and pays 1 to 1.

Insurance (also known as “dealer match”): This side bet allows a player to place up to half of their current bet on the “insurance bar” above the dealer’s face-up cards. The dealer then checks the cards to see if they have a blackjack. If they do, the insurance pays 2 to 1; if not, the player’s bet is returned without adjustment.

Splitting: A player can split a pair of cards, such as a six and an eight, into two separate hands. This is beneficial because it gives you more chances of winning. If the dealer’s card is a 10 and you have two sevens, then you should split.

Early Surrender: This is a good option when you have a pair of face cards that you believe will lose against the dealer’s ace. You can forfeit your bet of half its original size by indicating that you want to surrender.

Alternatively, you can choose to stand and wait for the dealer’s next card. In this case, the dealer will check her face-up cards and if she has a blackjack, she will pay you off instantly.

The dealer will then deal one more card to you, face up, and then give you the option of standing or hitting. You can either stand or hit again, but you cannot double down at this point.

Bust: If you go over 21, you are “busted”. This is a serious loss and automatically means that you lose your entire bet. The dealer also loses immediately if she goes over 21, and she must hit until her cards total 17 or higher.