Blackjack is a game where players compete against the dealer. Each player is dealt two cards and can choose to “hit” to receive more, or “stand” and keep their current hand. The goal is to get a total as close to 21 as possible without going over. Once everyone has finished playing, the dealer shows his or her face-up card and the person with the highest hand value wins. There are many different strategies for winning at blackjack, but the most important thing is to practice responsible gambling. This means setting a budget before you play and sticking to it. It also means avoiding side bets, which typically come with large house edges.

Statistically, it’s better to hit than stand when your starting hand is valued at 12-16 against the dealer’s 7. This is because hitting will improve your chances of getting a higher-valued card, which will make your overall hand stronger. Alternatively, you can double down when your starting hand is worth 11 or less and the dealer’s up card is a 2 to 6. This will increase your bet by doubling it and you will receive an additional card that could make your hand even stronger.

You can also split pairs in blackjack when you’re dealt two cards of the same rank, such as two nines or two threes. This will require you to place a second bet equal to your original bet and then play each of the hands independently. It is best to only split aces and eights, as splitting other pairs like sevens, sixes, or threes increases your risk of busting. It’s also a good idea to only split pairs when the dealer is showing a weak card, such as a two or a six.

The game of blackjack is a simple one, and basic strategy can give you the best chance of winning. If you want to get more advanced, there are charts that can help you decide when to hit and when to stand. These charts are based on the probability of a dealer having a specific hand, and can make your decision-making easier.

There are several other ways to boost your chances of winning at blackjack, such as counting cards. This technique involves keeping track of a running count and a true count, which takes into account the number of decks remaining in the shoe. This allows the player to adjust their betting strategy accordingly, making it more profitable when the count is high. Although card counting is illegal in Nevada, it’s still a good way to boost your odds of winning.

Another tip for winning at blackjack is to avoid buying insurance. This is because the odds are against you, and you’ll likely lose more money buying insurance than you’ll win back if you have a blackjack. Furthermore, you should never bet more than one or two percent of your bankroll on a single hand. This will ensure that you don’t become emotionally or financially involved with the game and will be more likely to make smart decisions.