Blackjack is a card game where players aim to get closer to 21 than the dealer. They compete against the dealer, but they also play against other players at the table. If their hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, they win and are paid their original wager. If their hand is less than the dealer’s, they lose and the bet remains on the table. If their hand is a Blackjack (an Ace with a Jack, Queen or King), they are paid 6 to 5 or 3 to 2.

In addition to basic strategy, you can make intelligent decisions by learning about the different situations that occur in blackjack and knowing what to do based on them. There are many blackjack charts online that can help you understand these situations and the optimal blackjack moves to make.

A good blackjack chart will show you the best move for every situation in the game. For example, it will tell you when to hit and when to stand based on the value of your hand and the dealer’s upcard. It will also tell you whether to split aces and when to double down.

The blackjack rules are not complicated and the house edge can be brought down to less than 2% if you follow basic strategy. However, if you’re not familiar with blackjack, the rules can seem overwhelming. The best way to learn these rules is by memorizing them. This will allow you to play the game more confidently and make better decisions.

There are many strategies that you can use to improve your blackjack game, but one of the most important is maintaining a positive mindset. Being in a negative mindset will only cause you to make bad decisions and ruin your chances of winning. Keeping a positive attitude will help you focus on the good parts of the game and will keep you from making impulsive decisions after losing a hand.

Another way to improve your blackjack game is to practice counting cards. You can practice by taking a deck of cards and adding them up as you turn them over. You can also practice keeping a true count, which takes into account the number of decks that are left in play. A true count is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks remaining.

While there is no such thing as a guaranteed win in blackjack, following a good basic strategy will reduce the house edge significantly. It is not a foolproof strategy, but it will improve your odds of winning and will give you more confidence when you are playing at the tables. Remember to always split aces and eights, and never bet more than half of your initial bet on insurance. Also, be sure to avoid letting the decisions of other players at the table affect yours. If you are not sure of what to do, ask a professional for advice before placing your bets.