Blackjack is a card game that, when played well, gives the player an advantage over the dealer. It is played with one or more standard 52-card decks, in which each card has a value indicated by its face (number for numbers, 10 for faces, and either 1 or 11 for the ace). The object of blackjack is to accumulate cards that total as close to 21 as possible without going over. The first player to get a 21-point hand wins. Players can choose to ask for more cards (hit) or stick with their current hand (stand). The dealer must hit unless his or her hand is 16 or lower. Players can also take insurance against the dealer’s blackjack, which pays 2-1.

After all players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals his or her face-down card. Then each player can decide to hit (request additional cards) or stand (stick with the current hand). If a player’s first two cards are an ace and a ten, they have blackjack, which pays 3:2 in most casinos.

A player can also double his or her bet by putting up another bet equal to the original amount placed on the table. This is known as “doubling down.” Generally, only the player who has a good chance of beating the dealer should attempt this move. The dealer will usually not allow this, however, because it increases the player’s risk of busting and losing.

Some players use card counting techniques to give themselves an edge over the dealer, but this is illegal in most gambling establishments. This method requires excellent memory and some knowledge of probability theory. The best way to beat the house at blackjack is to follow basic strategy and play your cards right.

Blackjack is played on a semicircular table that can accommodate from 5 to 12 players. The players sit on one side of the table and the dealer stands behind a chip rack on the other. The chips are stacked in a circle around the table and are arranged to indicate who is the controlling player for each round.

The table is covered with a felt surface and there are places for each player to place their bets. There is a box for the main wager and another for the blackjack bet. The main wager must always be larger than any side bet. If a player wishes to bet on both, the bets are usually placed next to each other. The player who controls the main wager may not also control the blackjack bet, but the opposite is often true. The number of players on a blackjack table can vary greatly, but the ideal is 7 players per dealer. This allows the game to be more interactive and exciting for everyone. However, if there are too many players on a table, the game will be slower and the chances of a player getting lucky are smaller. This is why many people prefer to play at smaller tables.