Blackjack is a casino game that involves betting and the use of cards. It has specific procedures, codes of conduct, and playing options. Players must learn the game and be able to play well enough to win money. Players and dealers must also follow a code of ethics to ensure the integrity of the game. It is possible to reduce the house edge to less than 1% by following basic blackjack strategy.

A dealer is responsible for shuffling and dealing cards to guests, collecting bets, and maintaining order at the table. They need to have good memory skills to remember the cards that were dealt and discarded by each player. This is important so the dealer can correctly record which players have won and lose hands, and pay them accordingly.

Generally speaking, the dealer has a slight advantage over the player in all casino games. However, if the player follows a basic strategy based on their point total and the dealer’s visible card, they can reduce this edge to less than 1% (rules dependent). It is important for players to know when to hit or stand, when to double down, and when to split.

In blackjack, a player wins when their hand exceeds the dealer’s total or if they have 21. Players may also choose to place a side bet called insurance, which pays 2:1. This is an unwise bet for players without direct knowledge or estimation of the dealer’s hidden card (e.g. through card counting).

If a player has a total of 21 on their first two cards, they win immediately. This is known as a “blackjack” or a “natural.” If the dealer also has a blackjack, then the hand is a tie (known as a push) and neither player nor dealer wins.

A blackjack dealer must be able to count the values of cards quickly and accurately. This is because they must be able to calculate winning hands accurately and communicate this status to customers quickly. They must also be able to make correct decisions regarding the playing of each hand.

Blackjack dealers need excellent attention to detail to keep track of the cards that have been played and discarded by each player, the bets placed on those hands, and the amount of money paid to winning players. This is crucial to ensuring the accuracy of payouts and preventing cheating.

In blackjack, players can reduce the house’s edge by using a strategy based on the value of their cards and the dealer’s up-card. This strategy is known as basic strategy, and it can be used to determine when to hit or stand, when to double or split, and when to stay away from the dealer’s blackjack. The basic strategy can be modified slightly for different rules or number of decks of cards being used, but the basic principles remain the same. This strategy has helped some players to improve their results and even beat the dealer in several hands.