Blackjack is the most widely played casino card game worldwide. It is a game in which players compete against the dealer rather than each other. Players are dealt two cards, and may choose to hit, stand, double down or split them depending on the rules of the game. The dealer is also given two cards, which are placed face up or face down subject to the casino rules. The game is won by the player who has a hand totaling 21 or higher, which beats the dealer.

The game is played on a semicircular table that can accommodate different numbers of players. The most common table has seven places, but some have as few as 5 or as many as 12. The dealer stands behind the table and chip rack. The players play their hands and the dealer’s cards are then compared to each other. A hand that combines an ace with a 10 or jack is known as a blackjack and wins immediately. A hand that is not a blackjack is a tie and the original bet is returned to the players.

A blackjack dealer’s competence in mathematics enables them to quickly calculate the winnings of customers. They also use mental math while distributing the cards to ensure that each customer receives the correct number of cards. They can also recognize any foul play or cheating by their guests and take appropriate action.

Besides dealing cards, a blackjack dealer is expected to be able to communicate with players in a friendly and professional manner. They must be able to understand the emotional state of a losing player, as they might get angry or blame you for their loss. They must be able to calm the player down and handle the situation with composure.

In addition to the standard bets, a blackjack table will often offer side bets. These bets are based on the probability of certain outcomes and are generally lower than the house edge of the main game. Players can place these bets at the same time they place their basic bet. Some popular side bets include insurance, which pays when the dealer shows an ace, and the dealer match, which pays when a player’s hand makes a poker hand with the dealer’s up-card.

Another way a player can reduce the casino’s advantage in blackjack is by counting cards. This method involves keeping track of the cards that have been played and using this information to improve upon basic strategy rules for particular hands. It can be done by hand, but some players prefer to use a computer program that keeps track of the cards as they are dealt.

In Blackjack, the player’s goal is to win the game by having a higher point value than the dealer without busting. If the dealer also busts, the player loses their bet. However, if the dealer and the player have the same point value, it is called a push and neither the dealer nor the player wins that hand.