Blackjack is a game of skill, where players compete to get cards that total 21 or close to it. It is played with one or more decks of 52 cards. Each card has a value, from 1 for an ace to 10 for a face or a ten. Players are dealt two cards and must decide whether to stand (keep the hand they have) or hit (request more cards) based on their best strategy. A player who stays has a better chance of winning than hitting.
The dealer must keep the pace of play going and notify the players when their hands are ready to be played. The dealer should also answer questions from players, explaining how the wagers are placed. This requires active listening, where the dealer listens attentively and responds with nonverbal cues such as nodding to indicate that they are giving their full attention. They may also paraphrase what is said to confirm that they understand the question.
Another important job duty is to monitor the table and alert supervisors when a problem occurs. A supervisor will then investigate the incident and make a decision about what action to take. Depending on the severity of the situation, the supervisor might suspend the player or have the player removed from the table. If the supervisor determines that a player was cheating, he or she can refer the case to security for possible prosecution.
Besides monitoring the table, blackjack dealers also interact with customers to promote their brand and encourage them to gamble more money. For example, they greet guests as they enter the casino and encourage them to participate in a particular blackjack game. Guests who receive good service will often tip the dealer.
A high school diploma is enough to become a blackjack dealer, although some employers prefer applicants who have attended college or completed a community college certificate program in gaming management. Some casinos offer their own training programs, which can prepare you for a job as a casino dealer.
As a blackjack dealer, you will need to have excellent customer service skills. You must be able to handle a difficult situation calmly and professionally, especially when the player is losing money. It’s natural for a person to feel upset when they lose, so you must help them calm down and restore their confidence. You also need to be able to calculate numbers quickly in your head to determine the winner and reward their payout.
A blackjack dealer’s work duties include a number of side bets, which are betting options that pay off if the dealer has a certain card. Some of the more popular side bets include insurance, which pays 2 to 1, and the dealer’s up card. Some casinos have a no-side-bets policy, so you’ll need to check with your casino to know what rules apply to each table.