Blackjack is a card game in which players try to get closer to 21 than the dealer. Each player receives two cards and can choose to ask for more (hit) or stick with their current hand (stand). The aim is to beat the dealer’s total value without going over 21. In addition to learning basic strategy, a good blackjack player should learn to count cards. This will allow them to make more informed decisions, which can help reduce the casino’s advantage and increase their chances of winning.

The first step in counting cards is to establish a running total. Practice with a single deck of cards and keep a record of the values you draw. The more you play, the faster you’ll be able to establish a running total. Once you’re comfortable with this skill, you can move on to a true count. A true count takes your running total and divides it by the number of decks in play to give you a more accurate picture of the odds of hitting a certain hand.

Another important aspect of blackjack is understanding when it’s best to hit or stand. For instance, if you have a soft 17 and the dealer has a weak up card, it’s often better to hit than to stand. In contrast, if the dealer has a strong up card, it’s usually best to double down on soft hands.

In addition, it’s important to know when to split cards. This can be a great way to improve your chances of winning, especially if you have a pair of high cards such as two eights or sevens. However, you should avoid splitting two low cards like nines and sixes.

Lastly, you should be sure to understand when it’s appropriate to surrender. This is a great way to minimize your losses and save your bankroll. Just remember that the odds of a win don’t change just because you’ve had a streak of wins.

While you may be tempted to start by memorizing perfect blackjack strategy, you should really begin by mastering basic blackjack rules. These will almost always lead to the right decision and are much easier to remember than perfect blackjack strategy. Besides, it will take you about one hand to learn basic blackjack rules, so the few mistakes you’ll make won’t cost you that much. Once you’ve mastered basic strategy, you can start studying perfect blackjack strategy. Until then, good luck!