Blackjack is the absolute crown jewel of the casino table games pit, offering the best mathematical odds for the educated player.
The goal is not simply to get as close to 21 as possible; the true goal is strictly to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21.
How Much is Each Card Worth in Blackjack?
Cards numbered 2 through 10 are worth their exact printed face value (e.g., a 7 of Spades is worth 7 points).
If you hold an Ace and an 8, your hand is worth 19; if you draw a 5, the Ace automatically reverts to a 1, making your new total 14 to save you from busting.
- A hand that contains an Ace counted as 11 is called a ‘Soft’ hand (e.g., Ace + 6 = Soft 17), meaning you cannot bust if you take one more card
- A hand without an Ace, or where the Ace must be counted as a 1 to avoid busting, is called a ‘Hard’ hand (e.g., 10 + 6 = Hard 16)
- Because there are so many cards worth 10 points (10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings), you must always assume the dealer’s hidden down-card is a 10
Understanding Your Options at the Table
If you want the dealer to give you another card to improve your total, you tap the table to indicate a ‘Hit’.
Finally, if you are dealt a pair (like two 8s), you can ‘Split’ them, placing a second bet to separate them into two entirely independent hands.
| Advanced Action | The Financial Risk | The Strategic Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Double Down | Requires doubling your initial bet | Maximizes profit when the dealer shows a weak ‘bust’ card (like a 5 or 6) |
| Split | Requires a second equal bet | Turns a terrible hand (like two 8s equaling 16) into two decent starting hands |
Once you understand how the hands are scored, you can begin memorizing the mathematical charts that tell you exactly when to hit or stand.
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