Blackjack is a game of chance and skill. The player and dealer compete for the best hand total, but both may bust (lose).

To play blackjack, you must first purchase casino chips, which are called “checks.” You can get these at any slot machine, or at a blackjack table. You can buy as many as you want, or as little as you like.

The dealer will place a deck of cards face down in front of the players. He or she will then turn one card up, and then another, until both cards are showing.

If a player’s initial two cards are equal to 21, they are considered a blackjack, or “natural.” Then, the hand is over, and all the player’s main bets are collected. If a player’s initial two cards exceed 21 and the dealer has a blackjack, the hand is considered a standoff.

It is very important to know when to stand/stay or surrender in a blackjack game. This decision is crucial for winning the round.

There are several different rules for standing and staying in a blackjack game, which vary depending on the casino you are playing at. In some cases, it is important to stand/stay for more than one hand. In other cases, it is important to stand/stay until the dealer checks for blackjack.

A good rule of thumb is that you should never stand/stay when you have a hand worth less than the dealer’s face up card. This is because you’re not going to be paid for your bet unless the dealer has a natural blackjack.

You can also stand/stay when you have a hand that is very likely to lose, such as a high face card or an ace that is split. This is beneficial to you because it means that you don’t have to risk losing half of your bet if the dealer has a Blackjack.

It is also important to know when you should double down, which is a wager that increases your original bet by one. This allows you to draw extra cards and increase your chances of winning the hand.

The dealer will then place a new card face up in front of you, and you can indicate whether or not you want to hit. If you want a hit, make a beckoning motion or tap the table with your finger.

If you want a stand, you can do so by making a hand gesture or pointing to the cards you have in your hand. Alternatively, you can ask the dealer to deal you another card.

Once the dealer has dealt your second card, you can then choose to hit or stand. In some games, it is possible to hit and stand at the same time.

The dealer will then check her hole-card, and if she has a ten underneath, she has a Blackjack, and everyone who placed an insurance bet on their hand gets paid 2 to 1 on their original wager. If she does not have a ten underneath, the game continues normally, and everyone who placed an insurance bet will lose their original bet.