BLACKJACK CARD VALUES

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games that is played all around the world at both types of casinos, land-based and online casinos. It is an entertaining game with good gambling odds and very simple rules that even beginners won’t take long to wrap their heads around. 

If you are new to blackjack and want to learn what the blackjack card values are and how to play the game, then join us for a quick overview!

BASIC BLACKJACK RULES

The game’s objective is to beat the dealer, as you are always playing blackjack against the house. There are three ways to beat the dealer in a game of blackjack, so the player wins:

• By earning a higher score than the dealer, but without exceeding 21.
• If the dealer’s hand goes over 21 and the dealer busts.
• By hitting a blackjack (scoring a card value of exactly 21) on your first two cards while the dealer doesn’t have a blackjack.

On the other hand, the dealer will win the round in these two situations. Bear in mind that you will lose your bet immediately:

• If your blackjack cards exceed 21.
• If, at the end of the round, the dealer’s total blackjack hand score is greater than yours.

On a tie, your bet will push. 

Here’s what a typical round of blackjack might look like: 

1. The first thing you do is join a table and place a bet in chips (land-based and online casinos have tables with minimum and maximum betting limits, so keep those in mind). There might be other players at the table, but don’t forget that you’re only playing against the dealer. If there is a limited number of available seats, the option to bet behind is usually available in live casinos. 
2. You may be offered an option to place side bets as well. These bets are optional and have relatively low success rates, but the payouts make up for it. 
3. The game starts when the dealer gives you and the other players two cards face up (a land-based game can hold one to seven players at a single table). Meanwhile, the dealer receives one face-up and one face-down card. 
4. The next step is to decide which action to take. You can either hit (draw another card) or stand (keep your hand as is). Depending on the state of the starting hands and the table’s rules, you may also be offered the options to split, double down, surrender or take insurance. 
5. Before you make the call, consider the probability of landing 21 or falling close to it without busting. If you think that drawing an extra card will likely bring you over 21, then it may be wiser to stand. 
6. Depending on the outcome of your choice, you may still have to act as the game progresses. Keep in mind that you will have a limited time frame to decide, so make sure that you’re familiar with card values and other blackjack rules before you play. 
7. After all players settle on their hands, it’s the dealer’s turn. Here, the dealer will reveal their face-down card. The dealer never doubles, splits or surrenders, but must abide by the table’s strict rules (especially with soft hands or hard hands). If your total is closer to 21 than the dealer’s, then you win the round. If the dealer beats you to it, you lose. The bets push on a tie. 

WHAT ARE BLACKJACK CARD VALUES?

This casino card game is played with up to eight standard decks of 52 cards each. But no matter how many decks are used in a blackjack game, the blackjack hand values are constant, making it very easy to work out your hand total at any given time.

Card values are basically what determine hand values. They help you calculate both your’s and the dealer’s score in any given round of blackjack. Ultimately, the value of your hand is what helps you decide whether to draw additional cards, split into two hands, stand and not draw more cards, or double down by multiplying your initial bet.

VALUE OF CARDS IN BLACKJACK

Once you’re dealt your starding cards, you must quickly decide how to act depending on the score of your hand. Fortunately, the card values are quite straightforward! Cards two through nine are taken at their numerical value, while 10s, jacks, queens and kings (also known as face or picture cards) are all worth 10 points — blackjack cards worth 10 points are aguably the most valuable, especially when using the basic strategy. Here’s how each card is valued:

• Two: worth two points.
• Three: worth three points.
• Four: worth four points.
• Five: worth five points.
• Six: worth six points.
• Seven: worth seven points.
• Eight: worth eight points.
• Nine: worth nine points:
• 10, jack, queen and king: worth 10 points.
• Ace: can be counted as one or 11, depending on the state of your hand.

The ace, plays by its own rules, making it a super valuable card to have since it offers more flexibility, especially when earning two aces which can be split into two hands.

Here’s how to determine whether an ace will count as one or 11:

• The ace is always valued at 11, unless this would bring the hand’s total over 21. In this case, the ace will count as one. 
• A hand of A-A can only have one ace at 11; the other must count as one. However, if you have two aces, you should consider splitting — A-A is considered one of the most advantageous splits in this casino card game. 

Examples:

• If you have a 10, a three and an ace, your total will be 14, and the hand is classified as hard. 
• If you have a seven and an ace, you’re holding a soft hand that can either be eight or 18.

BLACKJACK CARD VALUE CHART

Although most cards are taken at face value, here’s a brief chart to help you invision how each card is valued in this casino game.

WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW BLACKJACK CARD VALUES WHEN USING THE BASIC BLACKJACK STRATEGY

Simply put — the basic blackjack strategy is entirely dependent on the value of your cards. So, if you don’t know the value of your hand, you won’t know what move to make. 

This strategy helps you decide what to do when being dealt high cards and low cards. It will also guide you when the dealer’s upcard has a specific value. So, you can think of these values as the glue that holds your strategy together.

It is important to note that this strategy does not teach you how to count cards as card counting is prohibited at online casinos.

LEARN BLACKJACK CARD VALUES AT THE HOTSLOTS ONLINE CASINO!

If you want our final thoughts, we could safely say that blackjack is one of the best casino games out there. Whether you’re about to draw your second card and place an additional bet or are on the edge of your seat waiting for the dealer’s cards to be revealed, blackjack offers an entertaining gaming experience through and through. And what better way to amplify that experience than by playing at an even more entertaining online casino?

Take a crack at blackjack at HotSlots — home to hundreds of live dealer tables! If you’re looking for a live dealer game with better odds or maybe a higher house edge, trust and believe you’d find it at our Casino.