The Job of a Blackjack Dealer
Blackjack is a game of cards played between the dealer and players at a casino table. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer by forming a hand value of 21 or higher. The dealer will deal each player two cards, and the player must decide whether to hit, stand, or double down based on the cards’ values. Once the player has decided, he or she will ask the dealer for another card. This should only be done when the player is sure that the next card will not cause them to go bust, or if they are willing to risk losing their entire bet.
Blackjack cards are typically dealt from a shoe that holds multiple decks and is shuffled frequently to prevent counting cards. This helps to make the game more fair. However, there are a number of strategies that can give players an advantage over the dealer. One such method is called card-counting, and it requires a great deal of mental ability and determination to use correctly.
The basic rules of blackjack are fairly simple to learn. The cards have face values of 2 through 10, with the ace counting as either 1 or 11. A combination of an ace and a 10 or jack or queen is known as a blackjack and wins automatically unless the dealer also has a blackjack. The dealer will offer insurance to the players if their upcard is an ace. Some blackjack games have other side bets available that change the odds and payouts.
Once each player has acted, the dealer will draw cards for their hand until they reach 17 or more. Then, the dealer will compare their hand to the players’ and whoever has a value closer to 21 wins. If the dealer’s hand exceeds 21, all players who didn’t bust lose their bets. If the dealer and player have the same hand-total, it’s a push (or a tie) and all bets are returned to the players.
A blackjack dealer must be able to multitask and work efficiently in high-stress environments. They must be able to handle money, make decisions quickly and communicate effectively with customers. Typically, the hours are long and include evenings, weekends and holidays. This job can be physically demanding as it involves standing for long periods, reaching with arms, and interacting with guests. In addition, the dealers are often exposed to second-hand smoke and fumes.
Blackjack dealers can expect to earn a decent salary, but the pay varies depending on the casino. Some casinos are more generous with their salaries than others, but the average casino salary for a blackjack dealer is about $40,000 per year. In addition, some blackjack dealers are able to earn bonuses based on their performance at the tables. These bonuses can add up to a substantial amount of money. This can increase a blackjack dealer’s income and make the job more appealing.