Blackjack is one of the most popular card games at casino tables. It is a game of chance and strategy, with the aim of beating the dealer. The player wins by getting closer to 21 than the dealer, or having a higher hand than the dealer. The game has rules and procedures to ensure fair play and a high level of security for players and the dealer.

Players place their bets in betting areas marked on the table before being dealt two cards each and the dealer a single card face up. If the player’s first two cards add up to 21 (Ace and a card valued at 10), this is called blackjack, and the player wins. Players can also double, split or take insurance against the dealer’s card.

There are a number of card counting strategies that can improve a player’s chances of winning, but they require a lot of practice. The best way to learn is to practice using a single deck of cards, turning them over one at a time and adding up the values. Once you are comfortable with this, try to keep a running count – the more accurate it is, the better. If you are playing in a multi-deck blackjack game, you will need to use a true count as well which is the running count divided by the number of decks in play.

Using a blackjack strategy calculator is another good way to increase your odds of winning. This calculator will help you calculate the probabilities of different actions in a blackjack hand and can save you money. It can also tell you when to stand and when to hit, as well as when to split or double based on the dealer’s upcard. It will even give you advice on when to take insurance against the dealer’s card!

You can also find blackjack variations that offer side bets, such as “four 20s.” This allows you to play four hands at once and bet on a twenties coming up on any of them. This is a great way to spice up your game and increase your chances of winning big!

It is important to know when to hit and when to stand. Generally speaking, you should always hit on hands with a value of 11 or less. This will make sure you don’t bust and beat the dealer, but it isn’t a hard rule that must be followed.

Lastly, it is important to remember that you should always double down when the dealer has a weak card such as a six or five. This is because it increases your odds of hitting a ten-value card, which will win you the hand. This simple strategy can make a huge difference in your bankroll!