Blackjack is a game of strategy that involves cards, money and a little luck. A basic understanding of card values and hand totals can help you to play a better game and win more money. It’s also important to know the rules and payouts of blackjack before you sit down at a table. Blackjack dealers are trained to communicate with customers and understand their questions about the game. They use active listening skills to deliver clear and concise answers, and they often use nonverbal cues to show that they are paying attention.
The dealer starts by dealing two cards to each player. The players are then able to choose whether or not to draw more cards to their hands. The goal of the player is to get a hand value closer to 21 than that of the dealer without going over. Other players at the table are not a factor; your hand is only competing with the dealer’s.
If your hand total is less than 21 you lose the game and your original bet is returned to you. If you have a higher hand total than the dealer you win your bet and are paid one times your wager. If you and the dealer have the same hand total it is a push (tie) and you do not receive any payment for your bet. The dealer then exposes their down card and if they have Blackjack the round is over.
Many casinos offer side bets on the blackjack tables that are unrelated to the final outcome of the hand. These side bets can range from betting on your first two cards making a pair to whether or not the dealer has a blackjack. These side bets can increase the house edge significantly and should be avoided if you want to improve your chances of winning at blackjack.
Despite the popularity of these side bets, there is a way to beat them: count the cards. This is known as counting and there are several different systems to try. Ken Uston’s Million Dollar Blackjack and Kevin Blackwood’s Play Blackjack Like the Pros are both excellent books that cover Basic Strategy and a variety of counting systems. Stanford Wong’s Professional Blackjack is another excellent book that covers a number of different counting strategies and some advanced techniques.
The casino industry requires blackjack dealers to have a high school diploma or GED certificate as well as extensive training and experience. In addition to having great communication and customer service skills, blackjack dealers must be able to count quickly and accurately. This is important to ensure that the game is played fairly and to keep track of each player’s bets. Additionally, blackjack dealers are expected to have analytical thinking skills in order to evaluate a situation and respond appropriately. Having these skills can make them more successful at their job and provide better customer service. In addition, they must be able to keep track of multiple games at once while maintaining a calm and focused demeanour.
