Blackjack is a card game in which players compete to beat the dealer by using one or more 52-card decks and one or more decks of tens. Each card has either its numerical value (seven for seven, four for four, three for three), or face value (eight, 10, or ace) assigned according to its rules of play. After being dealt two cards from this hand each player may choose whether to hit, stand, or draw according to those same rules of play; should a blackjack be achieved this will win and can use basic strategy or counting cards to minimize house edge effects.

Blackjack side bets can help boost a player’s bankroll significantly at most tables. Such bets include insurance, doubling down and betting on whether the dealer will bust. But it’s important to realize that side bets alone may not increase your odds of success at blackjack; rather, focus on mastering basic strategy to maximize chances of victory and not increase them through side bets.

Doubling down in blackjack involves increasing your initial bet after seeing two cards, then receiving another. This strategy may be advantageous when your hand totals 12 or higher while the dealer holds weak up-cards like sixes or fives; increasing your chances of drawing an additional card that makes your hand stronger by increasing chances of drawing cards of 10 value or greater will strengthen it further.

If you hold two tens, with the dealer holding a 4, it is often best to split them as their chances of making blackjack are greater than yours and yours of making a 20 or better hand are greater than theirs. However, if the dealer has five or six cards instead, hitting may increase your odds of success and you should do this instead.

Splitting pairs in blackjack is a standard practice. Aces and eights should always be split, as should nines, sevens, and sixes; however, twos or threes should never be divided as this will reduce your odds of victory; rather, hit with this hand against any dealer cards holding 2 or 3.

Blackjack strategy charts can be helpful when determining the optimal play for any situation; however, be mindful that they are not foolproof and should only serve as guides. Due to the fast pace of blackjack table play and limited time available during gameplay sessions, memorizing basic strategy ahead of time may help and find casinos offering strategy cards may allow for quick reference when you need it quickly while also remaining within your bankroll constraints.