Blackjack is a card game where players try to get a hand that totals closer to 21 than the dealer. It is played using one or more 52-card decks. The cards are worth their printed values, face cards count as 10, and aces can be valued at either 1 or 11. Whether you’re new to blackjack or a seasoned pro, it is essential to understand the rules of the game to increase your chances of winning.

A blackjack dealer’s responsibilities are to change money for customers and collect the bets that are placed on a table. In addition, they may need to spot counterfeit bills and ensure that the cards are adequately shuffled before dealing them out. Blackjack dealers often work long shifts and must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time. In addition, they will frequently interact with guests and be exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke and fumes.

The dealer’s other duties include dealing the cards from a deck that is shuffled before each round. They also must be able to identify and properly handle the chips that are used by players. Additionally, a blackjack dealer must be familiar with the basic rules of the game, including when to hit and when to stay.

Throughout the course of a hand, the dealer will deal each player two cards. In most cases, the dealer will not take any additional cards unless a player requests it. The dealer will then give each player a choice to stand (stop taking cards) or draw more cards based on specific rules.

Once a player has a total of 21 in their first two cards they automatically win against the dealer. This is called a “natural” or a “blackjack.” The player receives one and a half times their original bet. If the dealer has a natural they immediately collect the bets of players who do not have a natural and pay them one and a half times their original stake.

Blackjack side bets are a huge money-maker for casinos and they are commonly misunderstood by players. These side bets are not a good idea for most players but they can be profitable for those who know what they’re doing. They include betting on the dealer having a ten as their up card, betting on your hand making a poker hand with the dealer’s up card, and more.

When a player splits pairs of cards they must be careful not to bust. They should always buy a pair of 2’s, 3’s or 4’s and never split 5’s or 8’s. They should also only double when their point total is 11, or against a dealer’s up card of 10 or A.

If a player has a blackjack and the dealer has a blackjack then it is a push and neither of them wins. The dealer will collect the cards, shuffle and start a new hand.