If you’re looking to make the most of your time at the blackjack table, you need to know how to play smart. This includes understanding the house edge and making sound decisions based on the dealer’s upcard. With a little practice, you can master this game and minimize the house edge for an optimal experience.

In blackjack, the objective is to beat the dealer by getting a higher hand value than them. There are some misconceptions about the game but at its most basic level, this is all there is to it. You do this by achieving a total of 21 on your first two cards. You can then either hit or stand – depending on the value of your hand and the dealer’s upcard.

A good rule of thumb to remember is that a dealer’s upcard will be an Ace or a 9. This is because there are four times as many ten-value cards in a deck than other cards. With this information, you can determine when to hit or stay in order to get the most profit from your hand.

Another key point is to avoid chasing losses. This is done by setting win and loss limits for each session, which will help you keep your bankroll in check. Having this discipline is important because it will keep you from spending more than you can afford to lose. Eventually, you’ll find yourself winning more than you’re losing, and that will lead to greater profits over the long term.

It’s also important to remember that the pure house edge, and the one modified by proper strategy, does not vary with the number of players in a game. This is because the correct strategy only takes into account your hand and the dealer’s upcard, and not the total number of players. This means that your chances of winning at blackjack will not change as more people join the game.

If you’re unsure of what to do in a given situation, look to the blackjack chart for guidance. The chart will show you the best action for each type of hand. For example, if you have a hard 11 without an ace, refer to the top section of the chart.

Generally, it’s a good idea to double down on an 11. This is because it’s impossible for you to bust at this point and you’ll be closer to 21 than the dealer. Likewise, you should always stay if your hand is 17 or higher. This is because you’ll win more money by standing than hitting. However, if your hand is 12-16, you should hit. This will give you a better chance of beating the dealer’s face-up card. In the event of a tie, your first bet will be lost (unless it’s a blackjack), but you’ll receive a 2:1 payout on your side bet. Alternatively, you can surrender, which is an option available in some casinos but not all. The advantage to this is that you can recover half of your initial bet if you surrender before the dealer sees their second card.