Blackjack continues to be a mainstay for every casino worth it’s salt. Green players unamused by roulette and confused by poker may find a blackjack game refreshingly simple. But taken at face value, its straightforward objective – the first to make 21 or close enough wins – can make unprepared players underestimate it until they end up on a losing streak.
Every card in a deck has its own value, which are the building blocks for your strategy. Here is our guide to blackjack card values; what they mean for each other and what they mean for you!
What are blackjack card values?
Blackjack is played with a standard 52-card deck. The cards are numbered two to 10, along with a jack, queen, king (known as picture cards or face cards), and ace. Blackjack card values are the values given to each card in the game. These cards make up your hand, and their card values determine your hand’s leveraging position.
Card values are based on the number on the card or the picture. Suits and colours do not affect the value of a card (although they can be useful in an additional bet like a side bet – but we’ll keep things simple for now).
How much are your blackjack cards worth?
Starting with numbered cards, their card values are easy enough to grasp. The card number corresponds to its blackjack value, ranging from two (worth two points) to 10 (worth 10). A deck has 36 numbered cards.
The face cards (jacks, queens and kings) all have the same value of 10 per card, and a deck features 12 of these cards.
Saving the best for last, the ace is the only blackjack card with two possible values – one or 11. There are only four aces in a deck, and the ace is the most powerful card because the player can choose between its two values, making or breaking their hand.
Blackjack card value chart
Here’s a simple blackjack card value chart to map it all out.
CARD VALUE ACE 1 OR 11 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 JACK 10 QUEEN 10 KING 10
Now that you know every value card in the game, you’re ready to read a hand!
Basic blackjack rules
In order to win in blackjack, you must form a hand value of 21 (blackjack). Pretty simple, right? Well, there are a few more simple blackjack rules for all to follow.
A standard game in a typical casino follows these rules:
- The number of players ranges from one to seven players (against the dealer).
- There are four possible options: split, stand, hit or double down.
- To split, a player needs two cards of the same value.
- Splitting two cards creates two hands, doubling the initial bet.
- Doubling down also doubles the initial bet for more cards.
- Two hands of split aces aren’t always allowed because of excessive player advantage (consult the table rules to find out if this is allowed at your table).
- You can only double down or split when making your first play.
- Standing refers to sticking with the hand you’ve got.
- Hitting means drawing additional cards to increase the value of your hand.
- Soft hands include an ace that can be counted as both one and 11 – a considerably advantageous situation for you.mean the hand total favours you. A soft hand will have an ace worth 11.
- Conversely, hard hands are hands that do not feature an ace.
- In most tables, the dealer will stand on soft 17 (at their advantage) and hit until scoring over a hard 16 (to lower the disadvantage).
With blackjack hand values, basic strategy will guide you on how to play high-value cards and low-value cards for better odds in each hand. It also dictates when to opt for splitting, doubling down, hitting or standing. Keep a strategy when playing blackjack to help your chances at every step!
Here’s a very simplified rundown of what to expect in a round of standard blackjack:
- The player picks a table to play at and places their bet.
- The dealer deals the first two cards (per player).
- The player can now choose to split, double down, stand or hit.
- If the player hits or splits, another card will be dealt to them.
- The player will then view the result of their hand.
- The dealer’s turn comes next – if they hit 21 or close, the dealer wins. If the player gets closer, the player wins.
Each player is dealt two starting cards. The dealer receives their first two cards, one face-up card and a face-down card. The dealer’s upcard is the first indication of their future total.
If the player would like to improve their dealt hand, they may hit an additional card. For the dealer to hit, strict rules mean that they only draw additional cards until they break a notoriously difficult hand of hard 16. The player subsequently plays a second card accordingly. The dealer then reveals their face-down card. The next move depends on that value; the dealer hits until they reach 17, at which point they will stand. The player now has two ways to beat the dealer; either through a higher score than the dealer’s score or the dealer busts. A lower score or busted hand means the dealer beats the player.
The house allows aces in a dealer’s hand to be counted as 11 if it will push the dealer’s total up to 17. Still, both the house and the player are uniquely favoured. If the players go first, the risk of a bust is shifted from the dealer to the player. If the dealer goes first, players uncover one of the dealer’s cards, giving them room to plot their next move.
All this can be subject to the table’s own rules. Factors affecting rules can be anything from the betting limits, the game’s variation, and the number of decks used.
Practise basic blackjack strategy at LV BET online casino
With your awareness of blackjack card values, you’re well on your way to becoming a blackjack master! Perhaps you’d like to put your new-found knowledge to the test first. Luckily for you, LV BET can lend a hand!
With LV BET, you make the call on whether to play Live Casino blackjack or online blackjack. Live Casino blackjack, such as First Person Blackjack, is more akin to the traditional experience and has a live dealer and real players sitting at the virtual tables. Online blackjack, is simulated so you play against a complex algorithm as the dealer.
The benefit of Live Casino games is that you can watch strategies in action, and even pick up a thing or two doing it. However, our online blackjack games have a demo mode available – meaning that you can play over and over again without losing a single dime! In such games, you can bet via virtual funds – no real money – perfect to offer a clearer view of the casino game and its features.
And why stop at blackjack? We’re sporting a wide range of the most popular casino games you can think of like poker, roulette, baccarat and craps with plenty of themes and variations to choose from!
Regardless of what you play, our final advice is to play responsibly! Set limits on your bets, keep an eye on your funds, keep your focus when playing and stop if it isn’t fun anymore. As always, nothing guarantees a win, but the best strategy to guarantee lower losses is responsible gambling.
FAQ
✅ Is an ace 1 or 11 in Blackjack?
An ace can be either a one or 11, depending on what you need it to be or the hand you’re dealt.
✅ How do you read blackjack cards?
Cards numbered two to 10, are valued corresponding to their numerical value. Every jack, queen and king is worth 10, and an ace can be one or 11 according to the player’s choice or situation.
✅ What is a joker worth in 21?
The joker face card is worth 10 points.
✅ What are face cards worth in blackjack?
Picture cards are all worth 10 points each.