Blackjack is a casino card game in which players compete against the dealer to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. The game is played using one or more 52-card decks, with the value of each card determined by its numerical value (for example, 2 through 10, Jacks and Queens are worth 10) and its face value (Ace counts as either 1 or 11). There are various strategies that can be used to improve your chances of winning at blackjack. Some of the most popular are card counting and insurance.

Card counting involves keeping track of the total number of high cards dealt, as well as the total number of low cards. The goal is to increase your bets when the count is high and decrease them when it is low, thereby reducing the house edge and increasing your chances of winning. There are several different card-counting systems, but the most common is the hi-lo method. It requires the use of a calculator and the ability to keep track of two numbers – the running count and the true count. The running count is simply the number of high cards minus the number of low cards, while the true count takes into account the number of decks remaining in the shoe.

Insurance is a side bet that is available in many blackjack games. It pays out at 2 to 1 if the dealer has a blackjack, and it can be made in addition to the player’s original bet. However, it is generally a bad idea to take insurance because the dealer is not required to show their hole card and therefore you could be making a bet on something that you can’t control.

When playing blackjack, it is important to know when to hit and when to stand. You should always hit if you have a hand with a total of 16 or higher, as this will give you the best chance of beating the dealer’s hand. If you have a hand with a total less than 16, it is usually better to stand (refuse to ask for more cards) because the likelihood of busting is greater.

You should also avoid increasing your bets just because other players are winning or losing. It’s not your responsibility to manage the money of other players at the table, and you should only increase your bet size when it makes sense to do so based on the basic playing strategy and the count.

The best way to minimize the house advantage is to stick to basic strategy and limit your losses to a small percentage of your bankroll. This will allow you to play for longer and ultimately win more money. Finally, don’t be afraid to raise your stakes little by little – but remember to return to your original bet as soon as you lose a hand. If you do this, you will be in control of your money and will end each gaming session with a positive balance.