Blackjack is a card game played on a semicircular table by up to seven players and the dealer. The dealer deals two cards to each player, including himself. A player must try to get his hand closer to 21 than the dealer’s. If the player beats the dealer, he wins and is paid an amount equal to his original bet. If the dealer gets a blackjack, all the players lose unless they also have a blackjack. Ties are a push, and the player’s original bet remains on the table.
In most casinos, a blackjack dealer will be required to pass a background check and must be at least 18 years of age. He will also be required to attend a training program, typically provided by the casino or gaming establishment where he works. The responsibilities of this job include dealing the game, collecting and reporting wagers, and managing the money on the table. Blackjack dealers also need to interact with the guests and answer their questions. The hours of a blackjack dealer can be long and may involve working on evenings or weekends, depending on the schedule of the casino.
The objective of the game is to get closer to 21, or a blackjack, than the dealer. A blackjack is made when the player’s initial two cards total 21. Tens, Jacks, Queens and Kings count as 10 points; Aces can count as either one or 11, and twos through nines are face value. The player is rewarded with an even payout (sometimes 3 to 2) or a higher payout if he splits two aces, or has an ace with a ten or a face.
When a player is dealt a two-card hand, he can choose to hit (get another card) or stand (keep his current hand). If the player hits and goes over 21, he loses. The dealer will then collect all bets and shuffle the decks, and the next round begins.
If the dealer has an ace up, the player can make an insurance bet of up to half his original bet. If the dealer has a blackjack, this bet pays out at 2-1, which means that the player’s original bet is lost, but he still wins the $5 insurance bet.
Despite this, many players will choose to stand on 16 against a dealer with an ace up because they believe that the dealer will bust most of the time. However, hitting on 16 is actually a better move than standing because the dealer will likely hit 17 or more nearly 80 percent of the time. In addition, the dealer will only lose his own side bet on a blackjack and will win the player’s side bet at 2-1. This is known as a push, and the player’s initial bet is returned to him.