Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games. Its appeal is largely due to two elements: the game’s simple rules that everyone can understand, and its low house edge of around 2% which can be brought down even further if a player follows a defined strategy. However, many players make simple errors that can increase their house edge significantly, making the game much harder than it should be. This article will help to reduce those mistakes and improve the chances of you winning more often.

The first mistake is not understanding the game’s rules. This isn’t difficult to fix; just read the rules on the table or look them up before you play. It is also important to understand the value of the cards. Generally, cards with the numbers 2 through 10 are worth their face value, while aces can be valued as either 1 or 11. The most common game variant is called “blackjack”, which is when you add up to 21 on your initial two cards and the dealer’s upcard is between 2 and 10. This is considered a high hand, but if you don’t have an ace and one of the higher card values then you don’t get paid for blackjack.

Other game variants include splitting, double down, insurance and surrender. All of these have different advantages and disadvantages, but they all require you to change your basic playing strategy to accommodate them. Changing your betting strategy to suit the playing habits of other players at the table is not recommended, as it will not improve your odds of winning. The same goes for increasing your bet value to try and overcome a losing streak. The odds of the next hand don’t care if you are on a win or loss streak, and simply raising your bet will make it more difficult to profit from the game in the long run.

Another common mistake is taking insurance, which is offered whenever the dealer shows an ace. This side bet pays out at 2 to 1, but it will not beat the dealer’s blackjack. It is also possible to push if the dealer and the player have an equal hand score, which just means that you keep your original bet and are not paid out.

Lastly, it is important to remember that blackjack is a game against the dealer only. It is easy to get distracted by the playing decisions of other players at the table, but this can derail your success in the game. Staying focused and keeping a positive mindset is crucial to your blackjack performance.