Blackjack is one of the most popular casino table games. It has simple rules that anyone can understand, which have remained the same regardless of where it is played. It also has a low house edge which can be brought down to less than 2% by playing a defined strategy.

Unlike other casino table games, blackjack has an element of player choice, which allows players to make different decisions depending on the cards they have been dealt and the dealer’s visible card. This flexibility allows the game to be adapted by many players to suit their individual preferences and style of play. Players can choose to hit (ask for an additional card), stand (maintain their current point total), or double down, which doubles the amount of the player’s original bet. In addition, some places offer insurance against the dealer’s blackjack, which pays out 2 to 1.

The basic objective of the game is to beat the dealer by having a higher, unbusted hand. The highest hand is a pair of Aces, which is called a Black Jack or a natural and beats any other hand except another Blackjack. In the case of a tie, both the player and dealer lose their bets.

A typical Blackjack game is played with a standard international deck without the jokers, which leaves 52 cards. Originally, the game was played with a single deck. However, as a counter measure against card counting casinos introduced multi-deck games and this is now the norm.

Blackjack is generally played by two or more players at the same table and is an incredibly fast-paced game. A blackjack dealer will deal each player two cards, face down, apart from their own. Once all the players have their cards they can decide to hit, stand, split, or double down based on their point total and the dealer’s visible card.

Some variations on the game include Early Surrender, which allows players to forfeit half their wager against a dealer’s face or ace before the dealer checks for a blackjack. This can be a good option for a player who believes they have a very weak hand and are unlikely to win.

Like any other casino table game, blackjack requires a certain degree of skill to be successful. However, if players get greedy or careless they can quickly find themselves losing their bankroll. In order to maximize your chances of winning, it is important to avoid the below deadly blackjack mistakes.