Blackjack is a game of chance, but you can improve your odds of winning by learning the basic strategy. The house edge is always there, so no strategy will make your odds of winning 100%, but proper application of some strategies can drastically improve your win rate.

The basic strategy in blackjack is to stand on a hand of 17 or higher against the dealer, and hit on a hand with 16 or less. However, there are some deviations from this rule depending on the situation. For example, you should split a pair of 8s or aces if the dealer has a weak card showing (such as a five or six). This is because splitting these cards gives you an extra chance to improve your hand with a stronger one.

You should also double down when you have a strong starting hand, such as an 11 or a 12. In this case, you will be given an additional card which may help you make a better hand. This is a good opportunity to take advantage of the ace’s dual value of 1 or 11, and it can also increase your chances of hitting a 10-value card. You should also consider the number of decks in play, as this can affect your odds of getting a high-value card.

Another way to improve your odds is by using the insurance bet. This is a side bet that you can place on a hand of blackjack, and it pays out 1:2 if the dealer has a blackjack. It is important to note that this is not a risk-free bet, so you should only make it if you are confident that you will win.

Other important tips for playing blackjack include keeping a positive mindset and staying focused. These factors are often overlooked, but they can greatly contribute to your success. Maintaining a positive attitude will help you stay calm and make wise decisions, and it will also prevent you from making impulsive choices after a loss. It is also helpful to practice with friends who are familiar with the game, as this will give you a feel for the game and help you develop your skills.

You should also keep track of the decks in play, which is called a running count. This will allow you to know how many more cards are left in the deck to predict when it is best to hit or stand. You can use a simple counting system like the Hi-Lo method or a more complex one such as shuffle tracking to get the most accurate information. You should also practice keeping a true count, which takes your running total and divides it by the number of decks in play. Then you can make more informed betting decisions.