Blackjack is a card game in which both the player and dealer compete to accumulate cards with values as close to 21 as possible. Each player receives two cards at the beginning, then can choose whether to request more (hit) or stand (stop asking for cards). For dealers, their goal should be to “bust”, meaning their total cards exceed 21 and bust.

Blackjack games commonly feature a side bet known as insurance, which pays out when both dealer and player have an ace up and blackjack respectively. Additional side bets may pay out depending on specific cards’ values or the number of aces in a hand; as the house edge in blackjack can be very low, effective bankroll management is key to long-term success.

Beginners to blackjack must start by learning basic strategy – an intricate set of rules designed to maximize winning opportunities while limiting losses. A great way of understanding this approach is through studying charts that outline optimal moves in every situation of play.

As an example, you should always hit when your initial two cards total 11 or less as standing will cost more money and hitting will usually lead to wins (even at risk of busting). One exception would be when the dealer holds an Ace up, and your cards total 10 or higher: in this instance it would be best to stay and hope for low cards from their hand to create a hard total of 12 for both hands.

When dealing with a soft 8 hand, it’s usually wise to split. Doing so increases your odds of making a strong hand with what remains. This tactic is particularly crucial against dealers holding weak upcards such as 5, 6, or 7s.

Doubling down in blackjack is an effective strategy that increases your initial bet while giving you one additional card, increasing the odds of beating the dealer and strengthening your hand against 10s or face cards. But knowing when and why to double down can be tricky – particularly as an upcard from your dealer could influence this decision.