Blackjack is a casino game where players play against the dealer. The goal is to get a card total that is as close to 21 as possible without going over. The game involves one or more 52-card decks, and each card has a value of either its number, or 10 for face cards, or 1 or 11 for aces. The game also has several playing options such as doubling down, splitting pairs and surrendering a hand. Players must also follow procedures, codes of conduct and playing strategies to ensure the integrity of the game.

The Blackjack dealer is the person who deals the cards to the table and pays individuals who win. He must be knowledgeable about the rules of blackjack and be able to explain them clearly to players. He must also be able to make payouts quickly and accurately. A blackjack dealer must also be able to communicate with other casino employees, such as security, to ensure that all players are following the rules of the game and that no one is cheating.

In addition to basic rules and strategy, blackjack dealers must be aware of the many side bets that can be placed on the table. These side bets can be a good source of extra income for blackjack dealers, and can be profitable if they are used correctly. However, a blackjack dealer should be careful not to place too many side bets on the table as this can clutter the game and lead to confusion.

A blackjack dealer must also have excellent memory skills in order to keep track of the cards dealt and discarded by players. He must be able to remember which cards each player has and when it is appropriate to reshuffle the deck. He must also be able to offer players new cards when the existing ones are played or discarded.

While the objective of the game is to beat the dealer, some people misunderstand how this can be achieved. Many people think that a player wins by having a card total that exceeds the dealer’s, or by getting 21 on their first two cards. In actual fact, the only way to beat the dealer is to have a hand value that is closer to 21 than the dealer’s.

Another thing that blackjack dealers must be aware of is the dealer’s hole card. This is a key piece of information that can be used to improve a player’s chances of winning by taking advantage of the dealer’s weak spot. It is very important for the player to understand this, and not be afraid to ask questions when they are not sure of something.