Blackjack is a card game played by one or more people on a casino table. It uses a deck of 52 cards. Each card has a value – either the number, a face, or an ace. The goal is to accumulate a total of 21 or as close to it as possible. Players and the dealer are dealt two cards each. They can then choose to stand (stop taking cards) or draw (request more cards) based on a set of rules.

Before the hand begins, Players must place a wager. The amount varies by casino but is usually advertised on the Blackjack table. Generally, a minimum bet of $20 is required. There are also often side bets that can be placed alongside the main wager, such as insurance against a dealer’s blackjack (which pays 2 to 1) or player match against the dealer’s up card (which pays when a Player’s cards match the dealer’s up card).

A Player may ask the Dealer for another card by tapping his or her finger on the table. This is known as “hitting”. If the Player’s point total is higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21, the player wins. If the Dealer has a blackjack, the hand ends in a tie. Otherwise, the player’s bet is returned.

In order to protect their overall profit margin, casinos often employ a few rules that slightly tilt the game in the house’s favor. This includes allowing the Dealer and Player to “Push” when there is a tied hand, in which case neither lose nor win.

The Dealer always acts last, which gives them the advantage of seeing all the cards that have been played, including any players’ busts. In addition, the Dealer can see the card that is being turned up by each Player after each action, and therefore knows which Players are still in the game. This gives the Dealer a significant advantage in terms of knowing who is most likely to win.

Blackjack Dealers must be able to communicate effectively with customers. They must be able to explain the betting rules of the game and the payouts, as well as provide customers with assistance and answers. This requires active listening skills, wherein the Dealer listens to the customer’s thoughts and delivers nonverbal cues to demonstrate their attention. They should also be able to paraphrase what the customer says to ensure they understand it. This is a key component of customer service and helps to build trust between the customer and the Dealer. It’s also important for the Dealer to be able to communicate clearly with other employees and colleagues. This is because the Dealer will need to exchange information with other employees to ensure they all understand what needs to be done on each hand. This will help to avoid confusion and potential misunderstandings. In some cases, the Dealer may even need to ask the Player for additional clarification. This is especially true if the Player is inexperienced.