Blackjack is a game of skill and strategy. The player’s goal is to get a hand total closer to 21 than the dealer’s without going over. Unlike other casino card games, where players compete against each other, in blackjack you are competing only with the dealer. The game begins when the dealer deals two cards to each player. Then each player can choose to hit, stand, or split. If your hand is higher than the dealer’s, you win and are paid one times your wager. If you and the dealer have the same hand-total, it’s considered a push and no money changes hands. The cards are then swept up and another round is started.
Some casino gamblers are rude and can even be abusive to blackjack dealers, especially female ones. The dealer’s job is difficult, and they are often underpaid. They may also be subjected to sexual advances from male gamblers who see them clad in lingerie. Nonetheless, the position can be rewarding for those who have the right attitude.
If you want to become a blackjack dealer, start by learning as much as you can about the game. Then take a course at a local casino that offers blackjack dealing as an option. These courses usually last between eight and 12 weeks and prepare you to work at a casino as a blackjack dealer.
During your training, you will learn how to handle the chips, deal the cards, and pay out winning bets. You will also learn how to monitor the game and identify patterns that can be used to beat the house. After your training is complete, you can apply for a position at a casino.
The dealer’s role in the game of blackjack is to deal two cards to each player and then take his own cards according to predefined rules. He will then pay individuals who have won hands based on the numerical value of their cards. In addition, the dealer will collect bets and discard any cards that are not needed.
Blackjack rules dictate that a player must make a bet before the dealer begins to deal cards. The bet amount must be equal to the amount of the dealer’s up-card. If the dealer has an ace, the player can optionally place a $5 insurance bet to win a 2-1 payout instead of the usual 3-2 that is paid on a blackjack.
When the dealer deals two cards to each player, they must decide whether or not to hit, stand, or split. The dealer will then deal himself two more cards face up and one down. He will then compare his up card to each player’s hand to determine if he has a blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack, he will sweep the player’s bet and return his own.
The casino’s blackjack dealers are trained to update customers on the progress of the game and to explain rules and hand totals. They also use active listening skills to communicate with their guests. This involves attentive listening and paraphrasing what has been said to show that they have understood the customer’s question or comment.