Blackjack is a game of chance, but it also has an element of strategy. Some players have even perfected a blackjack strategy that can reduce the house edge to less than 2%. The key to winning at blackjack is knowing when to hit, stand, double down, and split. In addition, understanding basic probability and expectation will help you make the best decisions at the blackjack table.

The objective of blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, and to have a higher hand than the dealer. To do this, you must have at least a ten and a face card. The rules of blackjack vary slightly from casino to casino, but most have the same basic structure: the dealer will reveal their face down card, and then take more cards if their hand is below 17. Players must decide whether to stay or hit after receiving their first two cards.

To maximize your chances of winning, you should always stick to a basic strategy. This will ensure that you’ll make the right decision most of the time, and the few mistakes that you do make won’t cost you much. There are several different blackjack strategies, but the best one is to always split Aces and 8’s. This will give you the most powerful hand that you can play, and it will allow you to cut your losses or win more money.

Another important blackjack strategy is to never take insurance. This is a sucker bet because the odds of the dealer having a blackjack are much greater than the payout for the insurance bet. In addition, the insurance bet is only paid out at 2:1, which means that you’ll lose more than you would if you just played your hand normally.

You should always double down when you have a good chance of making a high hand. This is especially true when you have a soft hand, like a 10 or 11, against the dealer’s upcard of 5 or 6. Doubling down will double your bet and add one additional card to your hand.

Another great blackjack strategy is to never split suited cards. This is because a suited hand is more likely to have a blackjack than other types of hands, and splitting ties will only decrease your odds of getting a blackjack. In addition, you should always buy if the dealer has an Ace as their upcard, because this will increase your chances of hitting. If you’re ready to learn more about blackjack, be sure to check out our online Blackjack School. We’ll walk you through all of the rules and strategies to help you become a master blackjack player!