How to Win at Blackjack

Blackjack is a card game that involves a mix of luck and skill. The luck component has to do with the cards that are dealt, while the skill element has to do with learning some basic strategies – knowing when to hit, stand, split or double down. The goal is to beat the dealer’s hand and win money. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck.

Each player at a blackjack table is dealt two cards; one is face up and the other is faced down. The aim is to get a total value as close to 21 as possible without going bust. Each player plays against the dealer, not other players. To Win, you have to have a better hand than the dealer’s, or beat it by getting a higher total value without going over 21.

The game is easy to learn, but there are many strategies that can be used to increase your chances of winning. Some of these strategies involve keeping a running count, which is done by adding up the values of the cards you receive as they are dealt. This will give you a better idea of how the deck is changing, which can help you make smart betting decisions.

Another strategy is to know when to double down, which involves doubling your initial wager and asking for one additional card. This should only be done if you are sure that the next card will improve your hand or you are able to prevent the dealer from getting a higher hand. If you try to double down on a weak hand, like a 13, you will risk going bust and losing your initial stake.

Some of the more complicated blackjack strategy involves splitting and doubling down. You should always consider splitting if your cards show two of the same value, such as a pair of eights or aces. This will allow you to form two separate hands and make more opportunities for a winning hand. You should also double down if you have a strong starting hand and the dealer’s up card is weak, such as a six or five.

When playing blackjack, you should also be able to recognize a hot or cold table and walk away when necessary. It is not uncommon for a player to have a losing streak of 10 hands or more, which can be demoralizing. It is best to play low-stakes games and slowly raise them as you win, so you don’t lose all your money in one session.