Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games and, with the right strategy, it can be one of the most lucrative as well. Whether you’re playing for fun or for real money, it’s important to know when to hit, stand, double down, and split pairs. This will help you maximize your winning potential and minimize losses. To understand these key points, learn basic blackjack strategy and practice before making your first bets.

In a game of blackjack, the player is dealt two cards that make up their starting hand. The highest combination is called a Blackjack, which beats all other hands. A Blackjack can only be made by getting an Ace and a ten-valued card. The dealer will then reveal their second card, and a winner will be declared if the dealer has a higher hand than the player’s. If both players have the same hand, the result is a push (tie) and the bets are returned to the players.

Hitting is a move where you request an additional card from the dealer in order to improve your hand. It’s usually only recommended in certain scenarios, such as when you have a weak hand that could benefit from an additional card to make it stronger. When hitting, always remember to keep your bet value consistent and don’t go on a losing streak thinking you’re due for a win. This type of progression can get expensive fast and will quickly drain your bankroll.

Standing is a move where you decide to play with the initial two cards you are dealt and don’t request any more cards. This is a safe and conservative strategy, which can be a great option if the dealer’s upcard is lower than a four. When you’re standing, the odds are slightly in your favor, with a 22% chance of beating the dealer’s hand.

Splitting is a strategic move where you divide your starting hand into separate hands by placing an equal amount of money on each new hand. This will increase your chances of a strong hand, and it’s generally recommended to split pairs like two eights and two threes. You can also split some other pair combinations, such as sevens and sixes, and even pairs of threes if the dealer has a low-valued upcard.

Once players have completed their turns, the dealer will collect all of the cards and reshuffle the deck. They will then reveal their face-down card and a winning hand will be determined. The dealer will then pay out the winnings based on the number and type of wins. The dealer will then reshuffle the deck and begin another round of play. To maintain fairness, it is important to keep personal items like bags, drinks, and phones off the blackjack table as this will help you avoid accidental distractions during your game. In addition, this will prevent other players from touching the cards and contaminating them with a different count. This method, referred to as back counting, is discouraged by casinos as it can be detected by the dealers and could lead to an unfair advantage for some players.