Blackjack is a game that requires both skill and luck. A player can increase his chances of winning by learning basic strategy and practicing. The goal is to get a hand that is closer to 21 than the dealer’s. This can be accomplished by hitting, splitting, and doubling down. A player can also surrender when he thinks his hand is no longer a good one.
Dealers in casinos are responsible for dealing cards to players and settling bets. They must be familiar with the rules and payouts of each casino’s game. They must be able to count cards and perform simple math quickly, both when keeping track of individual player hand scores and paying out wagers. In addition, they must be able to move between tables quickly and accurately.
Dealing cards in blackjack involves placing two cards on the table for each player and one card for the dealer, both face down. Then each player can decide whether to hit, stand, split, or double based on the value of his cards and that of the dealer’s. After all the players have acted, the dealer reveals his card and either stands or draws additional cards until he is happy with his hand. Then he pays out the winning bets.
A player’s hand may be made up of any combination of cards of equal or higher value than 21, including Aces, Kings, Queens, and Jacks. A Blackjack, however, is a hand that contains an Ace and a card worth 10 (or the equivalent of a ten), and therefore has a higher value than any other hand. If the player has a Blackjack, he or she wins the bet.
If a player has two of the same cards, he or she can split them by placing an extra bet and receiving another card for each of the new hands. This is an attempt to improve the chances of a better hand, and can be done only if the player is confident that the next card will not result in him or her going bust.
A blackjack dealer must be comfortable standing for long periods of time, and can expect to receive both verbal abuse from losing players and glowing praise from those who win. She is also responsible for a significant portion of the casino’s profits, as she is paid a tip every time she deals a winning hand. She must be able to work well under pressure and follow a strict schedule of table rotations, breaks, and shift changes.
