Blackjack is a card game played between one or more players and a dealer, where the aim is to build card totals higher than their dealer without surpassing 21 or busting. Number cards count as their face value while face cards (Jack, Queen, and King; also known as face cards or “pictures”) count as 10, while Aces count either 1 or 11 depending on whether counting them would make your hand exceed 21; if your total exceeds 21, however, then you have achieved blackjack status and won the round!

When playing blackjack, your options for taking action include either hitting (requesting more cards) or staying put with what you already have (standing). If your hand outclasses the dealer’s hand in strength or value, consider doubling down and increasing your bet amount as this gives an opportunity to reach 21 quickly – though doubling may not always be best strategy!

One way to increase your odds of winning is to keep a running count, which is the total sum of all cards received so far. By doing this, you can predict how many more of each type will come your way and help determine when or when not to hit or stand. Some players even use special charts or spreadsheets to keep track of cards so as to better decide how much to bet.

Use of basic strategy will reduce the house edge and improve your odds of winning at blackjack, but can be hard to remember all of its information. To make things simpler, download a chart that details all the appropriate moves in any particular game of blackjack – you should choose one suited for use at your casino of choice!

Insurance can help increase your odds of success when playing blackjack. Typically made after seeing that the dealer’s hole card contains a 10 and has revealed it, this bet requires half of your initial bet but pays 2-1 should a blackjack be played against.

On blackjack tables, additional bets – known as side bets or supplemental wagers – may also be made simultaneously with your main bet. They include betting on blackjack itself or on whether the dealer will hold certain poker hands or that their card will outrank yours. Expert players may find these side bets extremely profitable but should only make such risky bets with money they can afford to lose.

When it comes to splitting, most players know to split aces and eights. However, it’s also wise to consider splitting nines, sevens, sixes, and threes if the dealer reveals low-value cards such as sevens or twos from their deck; doing this will help create more valuable hands than simply sticking to splitting aces and eights.