Blackjack is a casino card game where players compete against the dealer to make a winning hand. The cards are ranked according to their value: face cards count as 10, numbers 2-10 are worth their printed values, and aces can either be valued at 1 or 11. The player with the highest ranking hand wins. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck.
To become a blackjack dealer, you must first attend blackjack dealing school and receive state licensing. You must also pass a background check and fingerprinting. If you have a criminal record, you are not allowed to deal. There are several skills you must possess to become a blackjack dealer, including mathematical proficiency and customer service skills.
The ability to keep track of hand totals is crucial for a blackjack dealer. You must be able to calculate the payouts of winning players quickly and accurately. You should be able to communicate the status of the hand to players in an efficient manner, which requires good listening skills. A blackjack dealer’s competence in mathematics also empowers them to perform calculations at the table.
Another important skill to have is the ability to read body language. A blackjack dealer must be able to gauge whether a player is happy or upset with their hand, which can affect the outcome of the hand. You must also be able to decipher non-verbal signals, such as the way a player holds their chips.
Once the players have acted, the dealer will flip her first card over and slide it underneath her second. This is called the “dealer peak.” The dealer will then act based on her cards and the rules of the game. Typically, she will draw to 16, stand on 17s (hard and soft), and make an insurance bet if her hole card is a 10.
There are many different side bets available at blackjack tables. Most require the player to place an additional bet at the same time they place their main bet. Some of these side bets include doubling down, insurance, and betting on the dealer getting a blackjack. Blackjack side bets can be very profitable if used correctly, but they can also lead to overconfidence and poor play.
After the players have acted, the dealer will check her hole card through a special viewing window in the table. If she has a 10 underneath, she will take all of the insurance bets and win them. If she has a blackjack, the players who had insurance will lose their original bets.
The dealer will then collect all of the cards, shuffle and start a new round. If the dealers both have a blackjack, it is considered a push and no one wins or loses their bets. However, if a player gets a blackjack on their first two cards, they are paid out at the same rate as a regular blackjack. If they have two aces, they can only double down once and are not allowed to add any other cards.