Blackjack is one of the few casino games that involves skill as well as luck. The game can be very exciting and rewarding, especially if you know the rules. There are many different strategies that can help you beat the dealer. Some of them require memory and some involve card counting. Some of these techniques are more effective than others. This article will explain the basic rules of blackjack, including key terms such as splitting and doubling. It will also discuss the odds of getting a blackjack and the house edge.
In blackjack, players and the dealer are each dealt two cards. Players can ask for more cards until they bust (go over 21) or stand (stop at a total they’re happy with). Face cards count as 10, aces are 1 or 11, and the dealer has an up card and a down card. The dealer wins if their hand is higher than the player’s, and the players win if theirs is closer to 21 than the dealer’s.
The game also includes side bets, which are wagers that pay out if the player’s or dealer’s hand has certain characteristics. Some of these side bets are called insurance, and they pay out 2 to 1. Others include betting on a pair as the first two cards, wagering that the dealer’s up-card will be a particular suit, and even a side bet that a specific number will be dealt!
Before the cards are dealt, each player places a bet in chips. You can view your wagers, winnings and credits remaining at the bottom of the screen. When you are ready to place a bet, simply touch the wager circle closest to you. You can also use the buttons on the left of the screen to increase or decrease your bets.
When you play blackjack, you can split pairs of cards if they have the same value, but you cannot split aces. You can also double down on any hand, but you will only be given one additional card with a double-down. You can also re-double on the same hand if you have not already done so. The maximum bet for re-doubling is equal to the original bet.
Using strategy to make better decisions can significantly reduce the house’s edge over you in blackjack. Learn to use the rules of the game and the dealer’s up-card to make the best choice for your hand. This can also eliminate some of the risk of side bets, which can be very expensive for players. Blackjack is a game that requires a combination of skill and chance, but with practice you can become a master!