Blackjack is a card game where the goal is to beat the dealer. You can do this by getting a higher hand value than the dealer or going over 21 in your initial two cards. There are several ways to achieve this goal, but most people use a basic strategy in order to maximize their chances of winning.

To deal cards in a blackjack game, the casino dealer must first shuffle the decks of cards and place them on the table. Then they must distribute a card to each player, starting with the player on their left. After each player has a card, they can decide whether to hit (get another card) or stand (keep their current hand).

If your initial two cards add up to 21, you have a blackjack and are paid an amount equal to your original bet. You can also win if your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, which is known as a push. You can also lose to the dealer if you have an Ace and a 10-value card or more, or if the dealer has a blackjack.

You can also double down in blackjack if you have an initial hand of Ace/11, as this will increase the likelihood of getting a 10 value card that jumps your hand to a blackjack. To do this, you must first signal to the dealer that you want to double down by placing your fingers in a fist and then stretching out your forefinger. This is standard shoe hand gesture and part of table etiquette.

It is important to manage your bankroll wisely. It is best to set a budget for your blackjack sessions and predetermine the maximum amount of money you are willing to wager on each hand. This will help you avoid making emotional decisions or putting yourself at financial risk. It is also important to remember that blackjack has an element of luck, so you should not bet more than you can afford to lose.

In addition to managing your bankroll, a positive mindset can significantly improve your blackjack performance. This is because the more confident and calm you are, the better your decision-making will be. There is also a popular gambling concept that winning and losing streaks occur in blackjack, so it is helpful to stay grounded and keep a balanced perspective.

To increase your chances of winning, practice basic strategy and familiarize yourself with the rules of each blackjack variation. It’s also helpful to study blackjack charts before you play for real money. You can find a great chart for any blackjack variation online, and you can print it out to refer to during gameplay. However, it’s important to remember that the dealer and other players may get annoyed if you constantly look at your chart. Therefore, it’s a good idea to only use charts that are relevant to the type of blackjack you’re playing. Moreover, you should only focus on one chart at a time until you’ve mastered it.