Blackjack is a card game where the player plays against the dealer. The dealer shows one of his cards to the players, while the other remains hidden. If the player has a higher score than the dealer’s, they win. In case of a tie, the hand pushes and the player’s bet is returned. The game has several betting options or side bets, which change the odds and payout. One of these side bets is insurance, which protects half of your stake in the event of the dealer having an ace showing. This bet is generally a bad idea, as it comes with a high house edge that can exceed 10%.

The basic strategy in blackjack involves hitting when your cards add up to 11, or lower, and standing when you have a stronger hand. You should also double down when the dealer’s upcard is a 2 or 3, and hit if they have a 10 or an ace. This will increase your chances of beating the dealer’s hand.

A blackjack cheat sheet is a great tool for learning the correct strategy and making smart decisions while playing. These charts have solutions for every scenario that can occur in a blackjack game, and can help you make the best decision for your situation. They will show you which moves are statistically the most likely to result in a winning hand, and which ones are riskier.

Another way to improve your blackjack skills is by counting cards. This requires careful observation and practice, but can significantly reduce the casino’s advantage. A good way to start is by practicing with a single deck of cards. Start by adding up the values of each card as you draw them, and then dividing by the total number of cards dealt. This is called the running count. Once you are comfortable with this, move on to the true count. This takes the running count and divides it by the total number of decks used to get a better picture of your chances of winning.

One of the most important blackjack tips is to always play responsibly. It is recommended that you practice responsible gambling by setting a budget and not betting more than one to two percent of your bankroll per blackjack session. This will prevent you from making emotional decisions and avoid financial stress. Additionally, it is a good idea to stick to your budget even after you have won some hands. By doing this, you can be confident that you are maximizing your odds of winning and will have a more enjoyable gaming experience.