Blackjack is a game of skill that can be played in casinos, at home with friends, or even for real money on regulated online sites. While it can seem intimidating at first, learning the rules of the game and some simple strategies can help you beat the dealer. These tips can be used by beginners and experts alike, and will increase your odds of winning at the game of blackjack.

Basic Strategy Chart

The best way to increase your chances of winning at blackjack is to learn the basic strategy for the game. This is a chart that tells you what move to make with each hand. It is important to memorize this chart and practice it until you can recite it in your sleep. Once you have mastered the basic strategy, you can learn additional charts that are specific to the rules of the blackjack games you play.

Avoid Side Bets

Many casino blackjack tables offer a variety of side bets, such as Perfect Pairs and 21+3. These betting options can add up quickly and are often more expensive than playing the main game. In addition, they come with a higher house edge than blackjack.

When should you split?

It is a good idea to split pairs of cards with equal value, such as two nines or two threes. This increases your chances of getting a stronger hand, which will pay better than a single card. In addition, splitting can allow you to double if the dealer has an ace showing. If you split aces and eights, the rule is to stand on all hands except for soft ones (i.e., those with a total of 16).

When should you hit?

The most common mistake players make is to stand with a weak hand and hope that the dealer will bust. While this can be a solid strategy, it is also risky. Instead, you should always try to hit when your total is closer to 21, especially if the dealer has a weak card. In most cases, hitting is the only statistically wise option.

When to surrender

When you have a strong hand and the dealer has a weak one, you should consider surrendering. This is an option that some casinos have and others don’t, so it is important to check the rules before you start playing. In some cases, the dealer will have a hole card that is revealed after all players have placed their insurance wagers. If the dealer has a ten underneath, then all players who purchased insurance will get paid 2 to 1. In most cases, however, the dealer will not have a ten, and the game will continue as usual. Some casinos will also reduce the payout for blackjacks to 6 to 5, which dramatically increases the house edge. If this is the case, you should avoid making insurance wagers.