Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games. It is played against the dealer and involves drawing cards to make a hand total as close to 21 as possible without going over. The game is so popular that it has been adapted into many different versions, each with its own rules and strategy.
To be a good blackjack dealer, you need to have a number of skills, including excellent memory and great customer service. Moreover, you should be able to communicate well with your players and be patient. This is important because your job as a blackjack dealer is to follow the players’ decisions and ensure that the game runs smoothly.
Basic Strategy
In blackjack, the house generally has a statistical advantage over the player that will play itself out in the long run. However, the player can reduce this advantage to a small percentage by playing a blackjack game using what is known as basic strategy. Basic strategy tells the player when to hit and when to stand, and also outlines when it is appropriate to double down or split a hand. It is important to note that the basic strategy is based on the number of decks used in a particular game and should be adjusted for this fact.
Insurance
In most blackjack games, the dealer will offer a side bet called “insurance” which pays out at 2 to 1 if the dealer has a face up ace. The player can place this bet before the dealer starts dealing cards, and some casinos allow players to raise their existing bets by up to half in order to take insurance. However, insurance is usually a bad idea for the player, as it will lose money in the long run because the dealer has a blackjack less than one-third of the time.
Double Down
In some blackjack games, the player can increase their bet by as much as twice the original bet amount if they believe that their hand is strong enough to beat the dealer’s. This is called doubling down and can be an effective strategy if the player’s original hand contains an ace or a ten-value card. However, it is important to be aware that if the dealer has a blackjack then the player will lose the entire hand.
Customer Service
The punters that sit at a blackjack table are paying customers of the casino, and it is therefore important for them to feel comfortable and well taken care of. A friendly and approachable blackjack dealer can make the game more enjoyable for everyone, and should be able to deal with both accolades and complaints in an equally professional manner. This skill is especially useful in a high stakes game, where the dealer can make or break the mood of the table.