Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games and is played with two or more 52-card decks. The objective of the game is to assemble cards that total as close to 21 as possible without going over. The dealer has a similar goal and the players compete to beat each other and the house. The basic strategy involves hitting, standing and splitting based on certain conditions. The game also includes side bets that can add to the win if the player has good knowledge of how to play.
A high school diploma or equivalent is usually the minimum requirement to be a blackjack dealer. Most dealers receive training through a gaming program funded by a casino or by a vocational school that offers dealer programs. These programs typically last about six weeks and include instruction in casino rules, local gaming laws and dealer etiquette. After completing the training, most dealers will work for several weeks on various casino games before being assigned to blackjack tables.
Unlike other casino games, blackjack is a face-to-face game between the player and the dealer. The players are seated around the table and each gets 2 cards. They then decide whether to hit (request more cards) or stand (stop drawing cards). The dealer also gets 2 cards and must act according to a set of rules. The player with a higher hand wins. In some cases, a player blackjack is paid out at even money while dealer blackjacks have traditionally been paid out at 3:2.
While the game of blackjack has always held a place in casino gambling, it’s now playing second fiddle to games like sports betting and baccarat in some casinos. The increased competition is due to a combination of factors, including state regulations that limit the maximum bets.
Casino managers are also wary of the game’s potential for counting and have whittled away at the player’s edge. This is particularly true in Las Vegas where the game has lost ground to baccarat and other games that are popular among Asian ultra-high rollers.
Dealers are expected to be professional and courteous at all times. They will be required to work in shifts that can be up to eight hours long, and they are frequently exposed to second hand tobacco smoke, fumes and loud noises. They may have to stand for extended periods of time, use their hands and arms extensively, and talk with patrons. They will occasionally get breaks to rest their legs and shoulders, but most of the time they are at the table working hard.
A common mistake that novice blackjack players make is to play too conservatively and miss golden opportunities to maximize their wins. They will hesitate to hit a 16 against a dealer’s 7, and they will not double down on a pair of 2s against a dealer’s 4. The best blackjack players exploit every opportunity for maximum wins, meaning that they will split pairs 4x and double down far more often than the novices. These expert players will bust more often, but they will also hit the big hands more frequently.