Blackjack is a card game played between two or more players. Each player must place a bet with chips representing money on the table; all bets must fall within betting limits typically between $2 and $500. Once bets have been placed, each player and themselves receive one face-up card – known as an “up card”. After this step has taken place, the dealer checks their hand for natural blackjack (an ace and 10-value card combined), meaning if any player with natural blackjack holds onto that hand their bets automatically lose.
Blackjack cards are graded according to their point values, with aces accounting for one point each, cards 2 through 9 being worth their pip value, tens being valued at 10 points, while face cards have respective values of one, three or five points. A player aims to beat their dealer’s hand by collecting 21 or higher. Optionally taking an insurance bet could return two-to-one if an ace appears.
While some players believe the optimal hands are those consisting of ten-ace cards, experts do not endorse this notion. Instead, splitting pairs and doubling down are often effective strategies to increase chances of victory and to maximize odds against dealer hands – simply by counting cards and knowing when it is best to hit or stand.
A blackjack dealer is responsible for overseeing a game of blackjack within a casino environment. Their main duties include keeping the table clean and stacking chips into piles; being knowledgeable of its rules as well as handling cash; as well as being adept at dealing with different player personalities and temperaments.
Most blackjack dealers work at casinos, while there are also those who specialize in the game at private clubs or other establishments. Such dealers typically undergo training courses and meet certain age criteria. Some dealers require experience with other casino games or be acquainted with gaming software to track bets and payouts.
An effective blackjack dealer knows their main responsibility is helping their customers make winning decisions. Instead of telling players what to do, dealers should answer their players’ questions and explain the rules of the game; as well as keep pace with its fast pace to provide customers with an enjoyable experience and accept tips from them.