Blackjack is a card game that pits you against the dealer in a battle to see who can make the highest hand. The goal is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over and beat the dealer. There are many different strategies to learn and blackjack rules to understand. In this article we will discuss the basic game of blackjack and some betting tips to help you improve your chances of winning.

The first step to playing blackjack is to decide how much of your bankroll you want to spend. This will help you determine which tables to play at and how long you can stay at each one. It is also important to know the table limits and buy-in amounts before you sit down. Once you have a set amount in mind, it is time to start making bets.

Once you’ve placed your bets, it’s the dealer’s turn to deal two cards to each player and herself. You can ask for extra cards if you think that you can add them to your total and still beat the dealer’s hand. However, if you get too greedy and end up with more than 21 then you will lose (this is known as busting).

After all players have played their hands the dealer will reveal their face down card. They will then draw new cards for their hand until they reach 17 or more. If the dealer has a higher hand than you then they will win and you’ll get paid one time your wager. If the dealer’s hand is equal to yours then it is a push and no money is exchanged.

If the dealer has an ace showing, then they will offer insurance to any players that want it. This side bet is worth half of your original wager and pays out at 2 to 1 if the dealer hits a blackjack. However, most players will not take this option as it is mathematically a losing bet.

As a rule, you should never split pairs of 10’s or fours as they are strong hands that should be kept together. You should also never split aces against a dealer’s up card of two through seven. Instead, you should only split pairs of eights and nines if the dealer is showing a five or six.

Most blackjack games will also feature a number of side bets. These can be anything from betting on the dealer’s card to be a pair to betting on your hand getting a specific value such as a three or a four. These bets can be fun to place but they should always be made as a small percentage of your overall bet. Using these bets to your advantage can increase your profits and reduce your losses. But remember, you should never bet more than 10% of your total bankroll on any side bets. You could easily go broke if you do this!