Blackjack is a popular casino card game in which you compete against the dealer. Each player is dealt two cards, and the goal is to beat the dealer by achieving a hand that totals higher than 21. You can ask for another card (hit) or stick with your current hand (stand). In addition, you can split your cards into separate hands, or double your wager by betting on a second hand that pays one-and-a-half times the amount of your original bet.

Despite its simple rules, blackjack can be complicated and requires good judgment in making decisions. Understanding the proper strategy can significantly lower your house edge and help you win more often. This article introduces basic blackjack terms, and provides an easy-to-follow blackjack strategy chart that will show you the best play for every situation.

A blackjack is a pair of cards consisting of an ace and a card with a value of 10. It is the best possible hand in the game, and you pay one-and-a-half times your bet if you get it. Blackjack is played with a standard 52-card deck.

The game of blackjack has become popular because of its simplicity and the fact that it can be played with a very small bankroll. However, a large number of players fail to understand the game’s true mathematics, and this often leads to a long losing streak. This article will show you how to avoid these mistakes by learning the correct blackjack strategy.

Before playing, you should set a blackjack budget and predetermine how much money you are willing to risk per session. This will prevent you from making emotional decisions that can lead to financial strain. A general rule is to not wager more than 1% or 2% of your blackjack bankroll per hand.

A player’s first step in blackjack is to decide whether to hit or stand. To hit, a player must have a hand value of at least 11 and the dealer’s face-up card must be 9 or higher. It is also important to remember that splitting 10s and aces should always be done.

Standing is a more conservative decision and you should only do this when you have a high-value hand. For example, if you have a 12 against the dealer’s 10, it is likely to bust, so you should hit.

Counting cards in blackjack involves memorizing the point values of each card and keeping track of them as they are played. While this is difficult and time-consuming, it can dramatically improve your odds of winning. There are many different counting systems, but the Hi-Lo method is probably the most widely used. Some blackjack players even go so far as to carry around a card counter with them in order to increase their chances of winning. However, if you are caught, the casinos will not tolerate such practices and may bar you from playing. Therefore, it is important to know the rules and how to count cards properly before you begin.