Blackjack is a game where you try to beat the dealer by getting a hand value of 21 or higher. This requires a lot of knowledge and practice. You also need to be able to count cards. Unlike baccarat, where only a few cards are played at a time, a blackjack game can have many different cards being dealt at one point. This makes counting cards much more difficult.

There are many different rules for blackjack, and each variation may have slightly different procedures. However, most of them follow the same basic rules. In the game, you and the dealer both get two cards each. You can then decide whether to hit, split or stand. A good blackjack strategy is to hit when the dealer has a low card value, and stand with a high one. This will give you a better chance of beating the dealer’s hand.

The game is usually played on a semicircular table that can accommodate varying numbers of players. The most common tables can seat seven people (or seven “spots”). Each player places their bets in front of them on a small rectangle of chips, which they then place in the betting circle. The dealer stands behind the table and chip rack.

Before the dealer begins dealing, players may stake half of their original bet as “insurance,” which covers them if the dealer has a blackjack. The dealer will then look at their hole card, which they will only reveal if it is a face card. If the card is a 10, the dealer will pay everyone their insurance bets at 2-1. If the card is a 2, 3, or 4, then the dealer will have to lift it for longer and bend it higher in order to see it clearly, which can be mistaken for an Ace with a quick glance.

You can also double down if you have an 11 and the dealer has a 10. This will increase your chances of winning by increasing the amount of your bet. It is important to remember that a blackjack is worth only 10 points, while cards numbered 2-10 are worth their printed values and aces can count as either 1 or 11.

Another way to improve your odds of winning in blackjack is by learning dealer tells. This involves observing the dealer’s behavior and looking for specific signs. These can be as simple as how long the dealer looks at his or her hole card, or how much the dealer bends the card while looking at it. These are subtle indicators of the dealer’s secret card.

Once all of the players have made their decisions, the dealer will make a hand (17 through 21). If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, you win. If your hand and the dealer’s are of equal value, it’s a push and you keep your money but don’t get paid on your bet. The cards are then swept up and the next round starts.