Blackjack is a casino card game in which players try to get a hand value of 21 or higher. The game is played using one or more standard 52-card decks. The value of each card is indicated by the number on the card, or by a picture symbol (like an ace that counts as either 1 or 11). Unlike some other casino games, blackjack offers players a significant chance to control their losses and win money. While the game has a reputation for being purely luck, it is possible to reduce the house edge to less than 2% with basic strategy.

In blackjack, the player and dealer each receive two cards. The dealer then decides whether to hit or stand based on predetermined rules. If the dealer’s cards total more than 21, the player loses, but if they beat the dealer’s hand, they win and are paid an amount equal to their original bet. Ties result in a push, meaning the player gets their original bet back.

The player can choose to double down if they are confident that another card will give them a hand that is better than the dealer’s. Doubling down involves placing a second bet equal to the original bet, and you then play each hand independently. Typically, you should only double down when the dealer is showing a weak card. When the dealer is showing a strong card, it is usually best to stand.

When a player has a hand value of 16 or higher, they can choose to hit. This is a good idea because it is unlikely that the dealer will bust. However, it is important to remember that you can also lose if you hit, so be careful.

Some blackjack players use a technique called card counting to improve their chances of winning. This requires keeping track of the total of high cards dealt, as well as the total of low cards remaining in the shoe. This information is then used to calculate a number known as the true count. The higher the true count, the lower the house edge, and the more likely it is that a blackjack player will win.

Another way to increase your chances of winning in blackjack is to always split aces and eights. This is because a pair of aces or eights will nearly always beat the dealer’s hand. In addition, a player’s blackjack will be paid at a higher rate when they split aces or eights than when they don’t.

Players can use cash or casino chips to make their bets in blackjack. To purchase chips, players must wait until the dealer has finished dealing the current round and ask the dealer for them. The dealer will then convert the cash into chips and slide them toward the player. Players can then place their chips in the appropriate betting positions on the table. They can also place bets on more than one hand per round, as long as the casino allows it.