Blackjack is a card game that requires skill, strategy, and a strong understanding of mathematics. A player’s goal is to get a card total value of 21 or close to it, without going over, in order to beat the dealer’s hand. Unlike other casino games, players don’t play against each other; they only compete with the dealer.

If a player gets a two-card total of 21 (an Ace and a 10 or face card), this is called a “blackjack” or a “natural.” This automatically wins the player’s bet. If the dealer also has a blackjack, this is a tie and no one wins or loses the round.

In most casinos, a blackjack dealer must take a certification course and pass an exam to work at the table. The cost of this training can vary, but typically includes classroom instruction and hands-on practice at a live table. Some schools also offer a certificate of completion upon successful completion of the program.

Many blackjack dealers have competence in mathematics, which empowers them to calculate the earnings of winning customers quickly and accurately. They also use mental math during the game to maintain a fast pace and to ensure that each guest receives the correct number of cards.

Another critical part of a blackjack dealer’s job is to prevent cheating by watching for players who are trying to steal chips from other players or give the dealer information that they shouldn’t see. This can happen in several ways, including accidentally exposing the dealer’s hole card for an instant or giving away information about their hand by their reactions to it.

Blackjack dealers often have to answer questions from players about the rules of the game and the dealer’s hand. They must be able to explain the odds of winning and losing, the payouts for different hands, and the various side bets that can be placed. This can be challenging because a dealer must be able to do all of this while maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor.

Casinos often provide their blackjack dealers with special equipment, such as a specialized card shuffling machine. This helps them keep cards moving quickly and prevents them from getting worn out. They also use a special light that flashes when they have a bad deal.

The minimum bet amount per hand in blackjack varies from casino to casino and from table to table. Usually it’s printed on the table or shown on a digital sign and will range from $5 to $500. The maximum bet on a blackjack table is also listed in the table’s placard and can range from $500 to $2,000. If a player and the dealer have the same hand, this is known as a tie and no one wins or loses. A blackjack dealer can “split pairs” up to three times, making four separate hands. If a pair contains an Ace, however, it may only be split once. Once a pair is split, each additional card counts as 1 point and the original pair is no longer a single hand.