Blackjack is one of the world’s most popular casino games. It has simple rules and a house edge that can be brought down to 0.5% or lower by using a proven strategy. However, beating blackjack remains hard work. It takes a large bankroll and the ability to play in a variety of situations.

In general, you should hit when your cards add up to 11 or less. This will give you the best chance to beat the dealer’s hand, especially if you’re holding a weak one like a 10. If your cards are closer to 20 than 11, you should stand. In some cases, you can also split pairs. This is done by placing a second bet equal to your original bet on the second hand, which you then play separately.

Whenever you have the opportunity to double down in blackjack, you should take advantage of it. This is because doubling down increases your chances of getting a stronger hand than the dealer’s, which will result in you winning. When you double down, you should only do it when your total is 11 or less and the dealer’s card is a ten or face.

Another important tip in blackjack is to know when to surrender. This is a great way to cut down your losses and recover half of your bet. You can do this by indicating to the dealer that you want another card by making a beckoning motion or scratching the back of the cards in your hand on the table.

You should also consider using a card counting strategy. This will help you win more often. The basic idea is to count the number of high cards in the deck and subtract that from the number of low cards. You should increase your bets when the count is high and decrease them when it’s low.

Another good tip for blackjack is to practice your blackjack strategy in free play mode. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the game and learn all of its ins and outs. Many online casinos have a free play mode, so you can try out different strategies without risking any of your own money. The bonus of playing in free play mode is that you can slow down the speed of the game, which will give you more time to think about your next move. It is also a great way to try out new casino games before you decide to play them for real money.