Blackjack is a game where skill can make a difference. It is not possible to overcome the house edge entirely, but a basic strategy can increase your winning percentage significantly. Blackjack is played with one or more 52-card decks. The game is divided into rounds, and the objective is to beat the dealer’s hand by accumulating cards with a total higher than theirs without exceeding 21 (this is known as busting). Players have several playing options, including surrender, pair splitting, and doubling down. The game is governed by specific procedures, codes of conduct, and playing strategies to ensure the fairness of the game.

Blackjack strategy involves learning the house rules and understanding how to play your hands. The most important rule is to never bet more money than you can afford to lose. This is why it’s important to understand your bankroll before you start gambling. In addition, it is essential to keep a record of your wins and losses. This will help you avoid losing a large amount of money in the long run.

You should also be aware of the different betting strategies. For example, the Martingale system is an unprofitable approach for most players. This system requires players to double their bet after each loss, a process that can quickly drain your bankroll. Another strategy that is less profitable is card counting. This involves keeping a running count of the cards dealt, comparing them to a base value and raising or lowering your bets as necessary. This strategy is extremely difficult to master, but it can give you an advantage in blackjack if you are able to use it effectively.

Once you have a handle on the rules and basics of blackjack, you can start looking into more advanced tactics. For example, some players try to improve their odds by doubling down on a hard 11, made from the player’s first two cards. This strategy has the potential to give them a significant advantage over the dealer, but it should be used cautiously because there is no guarantee that it will work.

It is also advisable to split pairs of eights and aces in blackjack. This will increase your chances of hitting a winning hand and it will also give you more money in the long run. This is because a pair of eights and aces are good starting hands that can make strong hands when they are split.

Another strategy that can increase your winning chances is to use the true count. This is a more accurate measure of the number of cards that have been dealt than the running count. It is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks that have been used, and it can be helpful for making more accurate bets. The higher the true count, the lower the house edge and the more likely you are to win. You can practice by using a single deck of cards and adding the values as you turn them over.