Blackjack is one of the casino games where skill can dramatically increase your chances of winning. Unlike roulette, where luck is the dominant factor, you can use math to determine when it’s best to hit, stand, double down or split pairs. This can make a huge difference in your overall profits, especially since you’ll only win when you beat the dealer’s hand.

Before you start playing blackjack, familiarize yourself with the game rules. The game is played on a semicircular table that can accommodate varying numbers of players (five to seven seats, or “spots”). Spots that are empty typically indicate that the previous round has ended and that the cards are ready to be collected and reshuffled. If you want to join a blackjack table that’s already in progress, you must wait until the reshuffle is completed and the dealer begins dealing again.

Each card in a blackjack hand has a specific value, with numbered cards (such as 2s and 5s) having numerical values, while face cards (such as jacks, queens and kings) have equal values. The ace is unique in that it can be counted as either a 1 or an 11, depending on the context of the hand.

You can decrease the house edge by learning and applying basic strategy, which is the optimal play for every hand situation. This is based on computer analysis of millions of blackjack hands and will give you a small advantage in the long run. The basic strategy will guide you when to hit, stand or double down, and it will also tell you when insurance is a good bet.

Aside from the basic strategy, you can also enhance your odds of winning by implementing other tactics, such as using proper hand-signals to communicate with the dealer. This will help the dealer to understand your intentions and can improve communication at the table. In addition, you can also take advantage of early surrender, which allows a player to forfeit half of their wager against a face or ace before the dealer checks for blackjack.

In most cases, you will only win when your hand is higher than the dealer’s and not lower. However, there are a few exceptions, such as a blackjack, which pays out 3:2 if the dealer has an ace up. You can even reduce the dealer’s advantage by avoiding taking insurance, which usually pays 2:1, and instead counting cards.

Many casinos offer side bets, which are placed on the sides of the blackjack table and pay out if a certain hand or outcome is reached. While these bets can add excitement to the game, they generally come with a high house edge. As a result, they should be avoided if possible. Only place side bets when you’re sure that the house edge is low enough to justify the extra risk. Otherwise, focus your attention on improving your blackjack skills and betting wisely to maximize your winnings.