Blackjack is a classic casino game played by a maximum of seven players against the dealer. The player’s goal is to beat the dealer by having a hand that is closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand.

Unlike many other card games, blackjack requires some mental work in order to win. This means that you need to carefully evaluate your situation at the table and make some smart decisions.

You can improve your blackjack skills by learning some basic rules and strategies. These include hitting and standing, splitting two same-value cards, doubling down, and more.

Split Two 8’s – If you have an Ace and a card valued at eight, it is best to split those cards rather than risking a Bust. A pair of 8’s can give you a better chance of winning a hand than a stand with a 16.

Double Down After Spliting (Dubbing)

The most popular move in blackjack is doubling down. This is done when you have two same-value cards, and the second card must be of the same value as the first.

If you want to use this strategy, be sure to choose a blackjack table that allows you to double down after you have split your hand. If you do not, you may lose a lot of money in the process.

“Split” Your Pair

If the dealer shows an Ace, you can ask them to “split” your pair of cards, which will create up to four separate hands. Then you will need to place a new wager equal to your original bet on each hand.

You can also split up to three times, but only once on a pair of Aces. In addition, you can re-split Aces if any of your new hands are an Ace.

When you “Bust” in Blackjack, you lose your wager and the round is over. This is an excellent way to get out of the game if you have run out of money or are losing.

The Best Possible Hand

In Blackjack, the best possible hand is a combination of an Ace and a ten-value card, or a face card. This is called a natural and cannot be beaten by the dealer, unless they have a natural as well.

The worst possible hand is a hand that exceeds 21. When this happens, the dealer wins and you lose your wager.

“Hit” Your Hand

Whenever you feel that your hand is not close enough to 21 and you need to draw more cards, you should “hit.” This action involves asking the dealer for another card.

Do not hit on a Soft 17 – A lot of people make the mistake of hitting on a Soft 17 when they really should stand. A hand of seventeen can be a good thing, but it is not worth getting carried away with.

Before you start playing blackjack, decide on how much you can afford to bet and set realistic limits for yourself. This will help you make better judgments about which real-money blackjack games are worth your time and money.