Blackjack is a game in which the players and dealer each receive two cards. The goal is to get as close as possible to 21 without going bust. To do this, the player must either hit (play another card) or stand (stick with the current hand). To learn how to play blackjack, you must understand a few key terms. These include:

The dealer’s face-up card is always a ten, and the dealer must hit until they have at least 16 points or better. However, it is possible for the dealer to have a hole card of any value. This means that if the dealer’s cards total less than 17, they can draw a card that will make them go bust. The dealer will then pay the player’s bet based on posted limits, and remove their cards from the table.

When a player has an Ace and any card that adds up to 10, this is called a blackjack, or “natural.” This is the best hand that can be made in blackjack, and it pays 3:2 if the player wins. Any other number is counted as its face value, and jacks, queens and kings are all counted as 10.

Some casinos offer a variant of blackjack that allows the player to switch one of his cards, which significantly reduces the house edge. This variation is known as Blackjack Switch. However, the player must still be careful not to switch a weak card with a strong one, since doing so could give the dealer a chance to beat him.

Another way to lower the house edge is by playing a game with more favorable rules for the player. This includes avoiding games with side bets like insurance and surrender, which increase the house advantage. In addition, players should avoid games that pay blackjack at 6:5 or even 1:1 instead of the standard 3:2, as these games are extremely unfavorable to the player.

In addition to learning the basic strategy, it is important for a player to know when to walk away from a table. This is especially true when the table is running hot, and can be determined by simply watching the action at the table. If the player is able to recognize a winning streak, they should gradually increase their bet size until it stops, and then resume their minimum bet.

Finally, players should never be afraid to ask for more cards when the situation calls for it. However, they should also be careful not to over-hit, as this can cause them to bust. In any case, players should never double down if the dealer is showing an Ace. This is a major mistake that can lead to huge losses. Also, players should never take insurance if the dealer is showing an ace. This bet loses if the dealer has blackjack, and pushes if the dealer has a 22. This bet is not worth the extra risk. These are some of the most common blackjack mistakes that can be avoided by understanding the game’s basic rules and using proper strategy.