Blackjack is a casino card game that involves skill and strategy. While some people believe that blackjack is purely a game of chance, there are ways to improve your odds of winning by learning and applying optimal blackjack strategies and managing your bankroll properly.

In the game of blackjack, players and dealers are each dealt two cards. One of the dealer’s cards is usually face up and the player’s is face down. The dealer will then deal himself another card, which he will usually keep hidden. It’s important not to touch your cards as casinos are paranoid about cheaters. However, you can pick up your cards if the dealer has them face up and is not looking at you.

The objective of the game is to beat the dealer. To do this you must get a hand value of 21 from your first two cards, while the dealer fails to reach this number. You can also win if you get a blackjack, which is achieved when the first two cards you have are a 10 and an Ace, which can count as either a 1 or an 11, depending on what helps your hand the most.

When you play blackjack you have to make bets before any cards are dealt. The amount of money you place is your initial wager and you can add more money to this if you want to. Once your bet is placed you can then look at the cards and decide what to do. You should always have a basic strategy in place and try to avoid making any major mistakes. This includes not playing when you’re drunk or after a long day at work.

Basic blackjack strategy is a system that shows you the best action to take in almost every situation in the game. It is based on millions of hands simulated and is designed to give you the best possible chance of beating the dealer in any situation. However, this doesn’t mean that you will be a winner every time you play. There will be plenty of times when you will lose, and these losses can add up quickly if you don’t manage your bankroll well.

Side bets in blackjack are a bad idea. These bets can be very tempting because they offer a higher payout than the standard game. However, they come with a large house edge and are often not fair to the player. It’s also a good idea to avoid double downing on hands with totals of 11 as this will result in losing more than you would have if you just stood.

Some casinos have changed the way they pay out blackjacks. Some have removed the 3 to 2 payout for blackjacks and now only pay out even money (one-to-one). This change increases the house edge and takes money out of the player’s pocket. It’s therefore important to check out the rules on the felt before you play and always be aware of what’s going on at the table.