Blackjack is a casino card game where the goal is to beat the dealer. Players can make various decisions in the game including whether to hit, stand, split or double down. The game is played on a semicircular table that can accommodate varying numbers of players. The dealer stands behind the table and chip rack. The dealer must be familiar with the rules of blackjack, hand totals and payouts. The dealer also must be able to handle numerous tables at one time and respond to player questions and concerns.
A person who wishes to become a blackjack dealer must be at least 18 years old and have high school diploma or GED certificate. They must also pass a background check and drug test. Depending on the individual, there are two ways to become a blackjack dealer: by completing a course offered by the casino where they wish to work or attending a dealer school that provides hands-on experience in a live casino setting. Both methods will teach dealers the basics of card dealing, but dealer schools tend to be more comprehensive in their curriculum and may offer additional training in other casino games such as roulette or poker.
Once a person is hired as a blackjack dealer, they must attend a brief meeting where the employer will explain their shift schedule and other pertinent information such as which table they are assigned to and when they are required to take breaks. The dealer will then be instructed to deal cards to each of the players seated at the table. In some casinos, the cards are dealt face up, while in others they are face down. The dealer will then collect the players’ chips and shuffle the deck before starting another round of the game.
In addition to the basic rules of blackjack, there are a number of side bets that can be placed during the game. These include the insurance bet, betting that the dealer’s up-card is a 10, the Blackjack Spin side bet where players press a button to spin a virtual wheel and win payouts, and the Bonus Bet option where players can place a fixed $5 side bet and receive $10 when they have a Blackjack.
During the course of play, a player’s hand total must be higher than the dealer’s to win. A dealer’s hand is considered busted if it goes over 21. Blackjack players can choose to hit, stand or split their cards and are allowed to double down when they are confident that an additional card will improve their hand.
The dealer must pay a player’s bet based on posted limits when they have a winning hand. If the dealer has a Blackjack, all players’ original bets lose (unless they have a Blackjack too), and their side bets will push. This is a common situation in which female blackjack dealers are subjected to sexual advances by players while they’re playing the game, as well.