The unique blend of strategy and luck that blackjack offers makes it one of the most popular casino games. Essentially, it’s easy to play but very difficult to master, as there is a slew of tiny details to consider when practicing blackjack – from its house edge to card values.
The first step in mastering blackjack is understanding blackjack card values. Knowing what the face cards are worth in blackjack or how much is the Ace worth affects you’re your experience and winning potential.
In other words, knowing card values in blackjack helps you understand the game better, devise a more suitable betting strategy, and know what to do in any challenging situation.
In this guide, we will explore blackjack card values. We will start with an overview of the card values – from numbered cards to face cards and the Ace – and then move to calculating hands. Read the full article to see what special cases for blackjack hand values are, some of the most common misconceptions, and frequent questions about hand values in blackjack.
Key Points 4y4g43
The main points to about hand values is that:
- Cards tend to have their face value, while face cards are all worth 10.
- The main card exception is Ace, as it can be worth either 1 or 11, which makes it the most important card.
- Soft and hard hands are treated differently in blackjack, and most strategies offer different actions depending on the type of hand.
- Individual hand values are important, but it’s critical to understand how to calculate hand totals as it affects blackjack decisions (Hit/Stand/Double down/Split).
Overview of Card Values in Blackjack 63175a
How much is each card worth in blackjack? What is the value of an Ace, or Jack, or Queen?
Well, a deck of card can be split into three parts: numbered cards, face cards, and the Ace. Let’s see what each card is worth in blackjack.
Number Cards (2-10) 81du
Number cards, or cards that have numbers on them, are worth exactly as they say; they are worth their face value.
That means that each card’s value corresponds to the number displayed on the card. A card of 6 is worth 6, 8 is worth 8, etc.
Drawing a 5 will count as +5 for your blackjack hand, regardless of the suit of the card. What matters is the rank of the card and only that.
Face Cards (J, Q, K) 6h2r2b
Face cards are the cards with pictures on them, so they may be called card royals too. These cards are Jacks, Queens, and Kings. Aces are also a type of face cards, but they are not included in this mix for this article.
Interestingly, face cards are not worth their face value, but instead are worth 10. They are all 10, no matter the type (J, Q, or K) or suit (club, diamond, heart, spade). The value of these cards never changes. And because they are all worth 10, that means that there is a massive number of cards in a blackjack deck that is worth 10, which is important to if you are interested in card counting.
Ace (A) 5g6p3m
Although technically Aces are often considered to be part of the exclusive club of face cards, in blackjack it is separated from its peers by value. Namely, it’s a unique case where its value can change.
How so? What is an ace worth in blackjack?
Essentially, Aces in blackjack can be worth 1 or 11. The exact value depends on the other card in the hand, as the point is to choose the value that brings you the better benefit.
For example, if you are dealt an Ace + 6 will create a soft hand total of 17. This is a solid hand, but it is not that strong as the dealer is very likely to hit a total over that. At the same time, you are also at risk of busting if you choose to hit on a 17 hand, but what can you do?
Let’s say you’ve decided to hit and drew a 7. This does not result in a bust, even though it might seem like it at first.
The value of the Ace will simply count as 1, which will result in a hand of 14. ( 1 + 6 + 7). Therefore, the Ace is the key card in blackjack that can have a massive impact on the round (and consequently, on the entire session).
Blackjack Hand Totals 3s3g4o
Why do card values matter in blackjack? Well essentially, the point of every blackjack round is to get a hand total that is 21 or as close to it to beat the dealer and win. Therefore, it is very important to how much is each card worth so as to devise the best blackjack strategy to wield hand totals.
Hence, understanding hand values means learning why they matter and using them to calculate hand totals.
How to Calculate Hand Values in Blackjack 26656z
It’s a simple, straightforward process. To calculate hand values in blackjack, you need only add together the values of the cards that make up the hand.
Let’s say you draw two cards, a 5 and 9. The values of the cards are 5 and 9, so the total is 14 (5+9). Obviously, that is a very low hand total, so you are probably going to hit, especially if the dealer has an upcard valued 7 or higher. If you draw again and get 5, your new total will be 19 (5+9+5), at which point the smartest decision is to stand so as not to get more cards and risk going bust.
Hand Totals with Ace 652i1l
Aces are special and so calculating hand totals with Aces is a bit different than with regular hands.
Because Ace can be worth either 1 or 11, it can be a bit confusing for novices to calculate hands with Aces. However, there’s one simple solution.
The factor that decides if the value of an Ace is going to be 1 or 11 is the other hand. Namely, if the Ace + second card make a hand total of over 21, the value of the Ace will be 1 to avoid going bust.
On the other hand, if the value of the Ace is with a lower card, such as 2, 3, or 4, the value will be counted as 11.
Here are some examples of counting hand totals with Aces.
- A + 10 = natural 21, blackjack
- A + 7 = 8 or 18, a soft hand
- A + A = 2 or 12, as counting both Aces as 11 will go over 21 so you can either count one of them as 11 or none
Thanks to this unique property, Aces are a very powerful card to have in a blackjack hand.
Blackjack (Natural 21) 136q35
If you ask any blackjack what hand is their favorite, a large number of them will say ‘natural blackjack’. What is a natural blackjack?
A natural blackjack is a hand total of 21 that happens with the first two dealt cards. In other words, if the starting 2 cards dealt by the dealer show a total of 21 immediately without you having to make any decision, it’s a natural blackjack.
Although there are multiple iterations and card combinations, the most popular one consists of an Ace + 10. However, a natural blackjack can only be made with an Ace that counts as 11 and a card that is worth 10 – so 10, J, Q, or K.
The payout for a natural blackjack is the same as for the regular blackjack, which is 3:2. This is the most common payout for blackjack, but there are tables that pay less (like 6:5, which is not really a player-friendly option).
Blackjack Vs 21 Hand Total 4zb5m
Natural blackjack and a simple hand of 21 is not the same.
It is possible to get 21 and win, but that does not have to mean it’s a blackjack. A blackjack is only a hand total of 21 made by 2 cards. A hand total of 21 can be done with more than two cards. In case of a regular 21 hand, if you win you will get a payout of 1:1, not 3:2.
| Natural Blackjack | Regular 21 Hand Total | Regular Hand |
| A + 10 | 3 + 10 + 8 | 10 + 9 |
| 21 total on starting cards, blackjack payout is 3:2 | 21 total after a hit, regular payout is 1:1 | Wins if beats the dealer, payout is 1:1 |
As you can see, there are three ways to win in blackjack – by simply beating the dealer (which does not require a 21 hand total), getting a 21 hand total anytime, or hitting a natural blackjack on the two starting cards.
Hard vs. Soft Hands 2p4v2a
Because Aces offer players two ways to calculate hand totals, the types of hands that Aces participate in are also called soft.
Soft hands in blackjack are all hands with one Ace valued as 11. The reason why it is called a ‘soft hand’ is because the value of the hand can change – the Ace can be valued as 1 instead of 11. This makes the hand total subject to change and not rigid (so it’s soft).
On the other side we have hard hands.
A hard hand in blackjack is every hand that does not have an Ace. Essentially, most blackjack hands are hard hands. Hard hands are hands whose total value is not subject to change and is instead rigid.
| Soft Hand | Hard Hand |
| Ace + 6 = Soft 17 | 10 + 7 = Hard 17 |
The difference between hard and soft hands is important for blackjack strategy. The basic blackjack strategy charts offer different actions and tactics depending on the type of hand (hard vs soft).
Moreover, most blackjack tables have a dealer rule for hitting/standing on soft 17 and hard 17 hand totals. The dealer rule means that the dealer must stand when they reach soft 17 total or higher, or they must stand on all 17 (both hard and soft).
If you want to learn more about soft and hard hands in blackjack, check out this article about the differences in blackjack hands.
How Blackjack Moves Affect Hand Totals 18t38
Besides hitting and standing, blackjack offers you three more moves that you can take depending on your hand total. Doubling down is a common move, while splitting becomes available when a pair is drawn. Insurance, a typical blackjack bet, is rarely considered as it’s not a very player-friendly option.
The choice what move to take depends on the hand total that you have. Experienced players are well-versed in blackjack moves and know which risks are worth it and which are not.
However, beginners must use a blackjack strategy to navigate the game to ensure better results. One of the best strategies is the basic blackjack strategy. Basically, it uses simple math and statistics to offer the very best options for making decisions based on the hand total and combination of cards.
It even uses blackjack strategy charts to make it easier and more comprehensive for players. You can find more info on blackjack moves and a blackjack hand value chart in our guide for blackjack strategy.
Common Myths About Blackjack Card Values 64244b
Blackjack is widespread, as millions of players opt for a game of 21 or one of its variants every single day. As such, it’s subject to a variety of myths and misconceptions. Let’s go over some of the most common misconceptions regarding blackjack card values.
Face Cards Have Different Values 461s5e
As we have seen, this is categorically untrue. All face cards are valued at 10, regardless of rank (10, J, Q, or K) and suit (club, diamond, spade, heart).
An Ace is Always Valued at 11 162mi
An Ace can be worth either 11 or 1, depending on the other hand and the potential hand total (and its risk of going over 21).
The Aim is to Get Close to 21 1b2k33
This is actually true, to a certain extent. In truth, the goal of the game is to reach 21, but if that is not feasible, get to that total as close as possible. To win, you must have either 21, or a better hand than the dealer.
If the Dealer Has an Ace, You Will Surely Lose 51y2h
Not true. If the dealer has an Ace, that is certainly not a good look for you, but everything depends on the other card that the dealer has. This specific situation is why Insurance was invented.
If You Have 16 Hand Total, You Should Always Stand 253v6g
A hand total is not the only factor that affects the decision to hit or stand. Besides your hand total, it’s necessary to establish whether it’s a soft or hard hand, and what is the dealer’s up card. According to basic strategy, you should stand if you have a hard 16 against the dealer’s low card (2-6), but if the dealer’s card is 7 or higher, you should hit. With a soft 16, you should double down against the dealer’s 4-6, other wise you should hit.
Card Values Change Depending on the Casino or Table 3h1311
Blackjack card values do not change, even though some rules may or may not apply. All blackjack variants at all casinos have the same values for cards.
Conclusion 6q3r2z
Calculating card values in blackjack is the core skill a player should learn before playing blackjack. Thankfully, blackjack card values are very easy to , and save for Aces, their values never change.
Aces complicate the situation with their 11/1 value, creating soft hands that open an entire selection of new potential situations for making moves. Which brings us to the basic blackjack strategy, or any other blackjack strategy for that matter. Knowing card values and how to calculate hand totals in blackjack is an essential part of playing blackjack and increasing your skill.
If you want to practice blackjack and hand total math, we recommend going through our blog.
FAQ 4q256n
Here are some of the most common questions about hand values in blackjack.
What is the most valuable hand in blackjack? 4z2f29
The most valuable hand total in the game is a natural 21. A “natural” 21 consists of an Ace and a 10 (or any face card as they are also valued 10). For the hand to earn the title ‘natural’ it must be dealt as the two initial cards in the hand.
What is the value of every card in blackjack? 3h2k2y
Generally, there are three different things to with card values. First, numbered cards are worth their face value (2 is worth 2, 6 is worth 6), while face cards (J, Q, K) are worth 10. Lastly, an Ace can either be valued 1 or 11, as it is an exception.
Do card suits matter in blackjack? 4b343p
Technically, no. Ranks (the values) are what is used to create blackjack hands, so it’s not important if they are of club, diamonds, or any other suit.
Do all casinos use the same values for cards? 5p3212
Yes. Table rules may change and vary from table to table and from casino to casino, but hand values are one of the key elements of blackjack that do not change.
Can an Ace be worth both 1 and 11 in the same hand? c27f
No, an Ace can be either 1 or 11, never both. If the Ace brings the total over 21 on the initial deal by being worth 11, it will be counted as 1. However, if you get two Aces, they can easily be worth 1 and 11, as they are separate cards. One card can have only one value.
What should I do if I get two identical cards of the same value? 426v48
Depending on the value of the card, you can choose to Split, Double Down, or Hit. Some pairs should always be split, such as Aces and 8s, while others never, like 10s and 5s.
What is a soft hand in blackjack? 5i2k43
A Soft hand contains an Ace that can either be counted as 11 or 1. For instance, if we would count Ace as 11 and that would lead to a total that is over 21, the card will be counted as 1 instead (to save you from going bust).
What is a hard hand in blackjack? j1s5u
A hard hand is the opposite of soft, as it means it consists of two cards whose values cannot change. Technically, every hand that has no Ace is a hard hand.
What happens if my hand total goes over 21? ve54
You go bust. Going over 21 means you lost the round, plain and simple.
Can I win even if I don’t get 21? 526m6v
Yes, you can win if you have a higher hand than the dealer. That does not have to be 21, just anything higher than the dealer’s hand. If the dealer goes over 21, you also win.
