Blackjack is a card game in which players compete against the dealer to create the highest hand possible. The game has a variety of rules, including how the cards are valued, how to make bets and how to play each hand. It is important to understand these rules before playing the game.

To start the game, each player is dealt two cards face up and the dealer receives one card face down. The value of the hand is determined by adding the values of each card and subtracting from 21. Those who have a higher score than the dealer win. If the hand total exceeds 21, the player busts and loses their original bet. A player may also surrender their hand if they believe that they have low odds of winning the round based on their initial cards and the dealer’s card.

If the player’s first two cards are an ace and a 10 (or picture card or 10) the hand is known as a natural and is a winner. A player can also choose to split their hand if it has two equal cards. When splitting a hand, the player must place an additional bet to fund each new hand. The new hands can be played individually or in combination with the original hand to improve its overall value.

A player can also hit a soft hand of 16 or below when the dealer shows a 4, 5 or 6. A hard hand is a 17 or above, so in this case the player should stand. A dealer must draw to a total of 16, but must stand on all soft and hard totals of 17 or more. If the dealer and player have a similar total, the hand is a push or tie, and no bet is paid out.

Dealers must know the rules of the blackjack game, how to pay out bets quickly and accurately, and how to deal with any mistakes that might occur. In addition, they need to be on the lookout for any players trying to cheat or otherwise take advantage of the casino or other players at the table.

Blackjack dealers must also be knowledgeable about the game’s history and how it evolved to its current state. They must be able to identify which strategies work best and when to use them. They must also be able to explain the rules of the game to guests, including how to play the game properly.

In addition to these skills, blackjack dealers must be able to read the players’ expressions and body language. They must be able to read the players’ betting patterns and decide when to make a bet or not. This information can help them increase their profits and reduce the house edge. Finally, they must be able to handle the pressure of interacting with players. This is especially true when dealing with high-stakes gamblers who are willing to put more money on the line than other players.