Blackjack is a card game in which players try to beat the dealer. Players place bets before being dealt two cards. Then, they decide whether to hit (request additional cards) or stand (stop drawing) based on predetermined rules. The goal is to get a hand value of 21 or higher. If the player has a 21 on their first two cards, it is called a “blackjack” and the player wins immediately, unless the dealer also has a blackjack.
The game is played with one or more 52-card decks. Each card has a value of either its number, a face card worth 10, or an ace. The game was once very simple, but casinos added side bets that changed the strategy.
A blackjack dealer is trained in the game and has a strong understanding of the rules and strategies involved. Most dealers have at least a high school diploma and have attended a dealer training program sponsored by a casino or part of a vocational school. These programs typically last about six weeks and include training on local gaming laws and procedures.
Dealers are also required to attend regular seminars and training sessions. These courses teach dealers the rules of the games they are dealing as well as tips and tricks for improving their performance. Casinos usually offer these classes at no cost to their employees. Some outside groups also provide training for blackjack dealers.
Most casinos require that a blackjack dealer be 18 or over to work there, but some are open to people of all ages. Blackjack is a popular game and there are many jobs available for dealers.
When a casino has a lot of traffic, it may need more than one blackjack dealer to handle the rush. This can lead to a shift schedule that includes evenings and weekends. Blackjack dealers can expect to work an hour on the table before getting a 20 minute break. This schedule can be stressful, especially for new dealers.
The dealer’s weapon is called a “shooter” and it looks very much like a leather billy club used by policemen. Some dealers use this device to scare players when they are making large bets, but most dealers just sweep the cards under their shoe and continue with the hand.
During the last couple of decades, blackjack side bets have become very popular. These bets are placed in addition to the player’s basic wager. They can be anything from betting that the dealer will have a particular card as their up-card, to a bet on the total of the dealer’s hand. These bets can add up to significant winnings if the player has good penetration and is lucky enough.
After all the players have their bets down, the dealer will reveal her hole card. If it has a ten underneath, the dealer has a blackjack and pays all of the players’ original wagers, including those who paid insurance. She will then collect the chips from those who bought insurance and shuffle the discard pile with the remaining cards to start another round.