Blackjack is a card game played on a semi-circular table and can be played with a variety of number of players. Each player gets two cards and the aim of the game is to get a total card value of 21 or to come closer to it without going over than the dealer, against whom all betting is done. Aces count as either 1 or 11, face cards as 10, and the rest of the cards at their index value. The game of blackjack is a fast-moving and exciting one, and many players have become famous for their skills at the game.

A dealer’s job in blackjack is to deal the cards in a fair and efficient manner, keeping the game moving and avoiding distractions. This is a difficult task and it is not uncommon for a player or dealer to get distracted by something that briefly stops the action, such as a cocktail waitress or an announcement from the PA system. This is not a problem, and in most cases the interruptions are reasonable, but the fact that they stop the flow of the game does cause some problems.

When dealing blackjack, it is important to follow the rules that have been established. It is essential to shuffle and cut the cards before starting to deal, as this makes the game more fair for everyone involved. It is also important to ask the players if they want to hit, stand, double down, or surrender before you start dealing. In some casinos, it is necessary to give a player more than two cards, and in these situations the player must make their decision before you can deal the next card.

Once the players have made their decisions, it is time to begin the hand. You should start with the left-hand player and continue dealing to the right until that player stands or busts. It is crucial to avoid dealing alternately to the left and right hands as this can lead to confusion.

If a player has an ace and a ten-card, which gives a total of 21 in their first two cards, they have a natural and are paid one and a half times the amount of their bet. The dealer must also pay out any other player that has a natural and collect bets from those players that do not have them.

A blackjack dealer must be able to read the faces of the cards and understand what they mean. They must be able to spot tells that a player is trying to hide, and this requires a high level of skill. This is not an easy feat and many dealers will spend years working on this aspect of their skill set. In addition, they must be able to read the tells of other players as well. In general, the more experienced a blackjack dealer is, the less likely they are to give away any obvious tells. However, this is not a guarantee and some players are extremely skilled at spotting these tells.