Blackjack is a card game where you and the dealer are each dealt two cards. If your cards add up to 21 (an ace and a card worth 10) you win the round. But to beat the dealer you have to know what you’re doing and do it well. Fortunately, you can use math to make sure you’re playing the best hand possible.
A blackjack chart can help you determine the best play in every situation. It tells you whether to hit, stand, split, or double based on your hand value and the dealer’s up-card. This is called basic strategy, and it’s the most important thing you can learn when trying to beat the dealer.
In addition to knowing the basic strategy, you should practice keeping a count. To do this, take a single deck of cards and turn them over one at a time, adding up the values as you go. After you’ve gone through the entire deck, you should have a running total of zero. Practice this technique until you’re able to keep count quickly and quietly. You can also use a true count, which takes the running total and divides it by the number of decks in play to give you more information about your odds of winning.
Another blackjack strategy is to avoid side bets. These are wagers on different outcomes of the dealer’s hand, and most players lose money on them. To avoid this, set a win limit before you start playing, and stick to it. This will prevent you from chasing losses and gives you the discipline to stop when your bankroll is exhausted.
The most popular blackjack side bet is insurance, which pays out 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. However, some casinos offer other side bets that can significantly increase your house edge. These include betting on a particular card coming up, the dealer having a pair, or the dealer having a certain type of poker hand (like a flush).
Effective bankroll management is critical to a successful blackjack session. Decide in advance how much you’re willing to spend per hand, and stick to it. This discipline will help you avoid emotional gambling and walk away a winner more often.