Blackjack is a casino game that requires a mix of skill, strategy, and luck to win. Many players believe that the more knowledge and practice they have, the better their chances are at winning. While this may be true, blind luck will only get you so far. A basic understanding of the rules and strategies is crucial to winning at any table.

Before you head to the table, decide how much you want to spend. This will help you avoid getting carried away and losing all your money. It is also helpful to have a plan of when to walk away. Some players set this as the point when they double their money, or when they are up to a certain amount.

You can place bets using chips that you purchase from the dealer. The dealer deals each player two cards facing up and herself two face down. If your first two cards add up to 21 (an Ace and a card valued at 10 or higher), this is called a blackjack, or a natural. It beats all hands except another blackjack, which results in a push (tie). If the dealer has an Ace as their up card, they will ask if you want to make a side bet known as insurance. This is a bet that pays out 1:1 on your original bet, but it’s not usually advisable as you are still more likely to lose.

Stand on a hard 17 or higher – A player’s best hand in blackjack is a pair of Aces and a 10-card, which is a natural or 21. This cannot be beaten, unless the dealer has the same, which would result in a push (tie) and you will receive your bet back.

Splitting 8s and Aces – It is always worth splitting a pair of eights or aces as the value of these hands are high, and it will increase your chances of making a winning hand. However, it is not recommended to split a pair of 9s as the total value of this hand is too low.

Doubling Down – This is a risky move that involves betting an additional amount, equal to the original wager, in exchange for one extra card. This can pay off if your hand value is 11 or higher and the dealer has a low upcard. However, it is important to note that you can only double down once per round.

Knowing the points value of each card is essential to playing blackjack. Cards 2 through 10 count at their numerical value, while the ace and face cards (king, queen, and jack) are each worth ten points. Unlike poker, suits do not count in blackjack. A pair of hearts, spades, or diamonds counts as a single point. A pair of clubs or spades is a push and a pair of hearts, spades, or diamonds and a jack is a blackjack. A jack and an ace are a natural.