Blackjack is a card game played between the dealer and the players. The objective is to get a higher value hand than the dealer, without going bust. Each card has a specific value, with number cards counting at their face value and picture cards and Aces count as either 1 or 11. When a player’s first two cards are an ace and a ten-card, this is known as a black jack and pays one and a half times the player’s initial bet.
The dealer will deal a card to each player and a second card face down to themselves. Each player will then decide on whether to hit, stand, split, or double down. The player’s goal is to beat the dealer’s total, which is done by getting a hand value closer to 21 than theirs.
To do this the player must work out the values of their cards and those of the dealer. Using the card values and counting system is key to winning at blackjack. Some players have even fine-tuned the strategy to the point of perfecting it. This is a great way to learn the game and improve your chances of winning when you play for real money.
Once all the player hands have been dealt, the dealer will reveal their hole card. At this stage it is a good idea to study how long the dealer takes to look at the card and at what angle they bend it. This can give you a clue about what type of card they have.
The dealer must draw cards to their hand if it is below 17 and they continue to do so until they are at least 17 or go bust. If the dealer has a blackjack, all the players’ bets lose unless they have a blackjack as well, in which case they win. Otherwise the player’s bets push and the dealer collects the chips, shuffles them, and begins a new round.
Dealers need to be able to remember all the rules of the game and know how to pay out bets quickly and accurately. They also need to be on the lookout for any attempts by players to cheat or take advantage of their position.
In addition to this, dealers need to be able to interact with the players at their table. This includes being able to read and understand what each player is saying and be empathetic when dealing with any complaints or accolades. It is important to make each player feel comfortable at the table as they are paying customers of the casino and it is the dealer’s responsibility to ensure this. If they don’t do this, it is likely the dealer will lose their job. The best way to do this is to be honest and respectful at all times. This will ensure the players stay happy and the casino will benefit from their patronage. It will then be in a much better position to invest in the training and equipment necessary to maintain a high level of service.