Blackjack is a game of cards that was popularized in the United States in the early 1900s. It is a favorite card game of intellectuals, mathematicians, and those who like a real chance of beating the house. It has pushed aside brawny craps to become the most popular casino game in America. It is played on a table with a standard 52-card deck, and players try to get higher, unbusted hands than the dealer. The rules of the game vary between casinos and games, but most use a basic strategy that provides a player with a mathematical edge over the dealer.
A dealer’s job is to oversee the game and ensure that players are following the rules. Most dealers learn their skills at a dealer school, which is often run by the casino in which they work. They also receive in-house training to familiarize them with the specific regulations and procedures of the particular casino. A dealer must be comfortable standing all day and must be able to count quickly, both when dealing the cards and paying out bets.
To play blackjack, a player must make a wager in the betting area of the table with casino chips. Cash is not allowed at most tables. Once a player has placed his bet, the dealer deals two cards to each player and himself (one face up, one face down). The players then decide whether to stand, hit, double down, or surrender. The dealer acts last and must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more. A player wins if his hand totals higher than the dealer’s or if his hand is a blackjack (Ace and a 10 value card). The player gets paid 1 to 1. A push results in a tie.
When a player wants another card, he signals to the dealer that he would like to “hit.” In shoe games, this is usually done by making a beckoning motion with the fingers or tapping the table behind the cards. In hand-held games, a player may scratch the edge of the cards in his hand lightly on the felt to signal that he wants a hit. If a player wants to remain at his current hand, he signals to the dealer that h e would like to “stand.” In shoe games, this is done by placing the palm of his right hand on his bet, and in hand-held games, by making a fist with the thumb and index finger, and then pointing at his bet. The dealer will then give the player one more card. If the player has a stand, he is not allowed to peek at the dealer’s hole card. In some blackjack games, the dealer must physically peak at his hole card and this can give him away to players. In these cases, the dealer can unknowingly give the players valuable information that can help them beat the game.
