Blackjack is one of the most popular and well-known casino games across the world thanks to the simplicity of the rules, intricate strategies that players can employ, as well as the potential to gain an edge on the casino through card-counting.

Blackjack is also one of the very few casino games where a player’s decision can impact the outcome of the hand. This makes blackjack one of only a handful of skillful offerings in a casino –basically a game can be considered skillful if you can intentionally lose; something you can do in blackjack, but is impossible in a game like roulette or baccarat.

Blackjack is a very simple game to learn to play correctly, and even players implementing the most basic blackjack strategies will find themselves playing with a very, very, small house edge. The more detailed the strategies employed by players –which includes when to hit/stay/surrender, when to split cards, when to double-down, and so on—the smaller the house advantage becomes. Furthermore, players can begin to count cards which has the potential to eliminate the house edge altogether, and for superior card-counters provide them with a huge edge over the house.

The goal in blackjack appears to be to reach 21, or as close to 21 as possible without busting. However, the real goal is to make the best decision based on your cards point value compared to the value of the dealer’s up-card. The reason for this is that the dealer must follow specific guidelines regarding their actions based on the point total. So even if you have a 14, a very bad hand, if the dealer is showing a “bust” card –a card between 2 and 6—the correct play is to stand, because the dealer must hit on any hand 16 and lower. On the other, if the dealer is showing a 7 or higher the correct play is to hit, since the dealer must stand on any 17 or higher. For more detailed blackjack strategies you can check out our other articles focusing on the strategies of the game.

One thing to remember when you are playing blackjack is that regardless of how many players are participating at the table, in blackjack you are only competing against the dealer’s hand; what the other players have bears no impact on your hand. As I said in the opening the game is simple: Each player is dealt two cards, face-up, while the dealer receives one card face-up and one card face-down. Based on your hand strength and that of the dealer’s up-card players will make the decision to hit (take another card), stand, surrender, or one of the more advanced strategies of doubling-down or splitting. What the other players point totals are simply does not matter.