# Demystifying Blackjack Card Values for Success

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/what-are-the-values-cards-in-blackjack-2/
- Published: 2023-11-02
- Author: Nelson Ayers
- Categories: [Business & Worth](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/worth/)

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As both an avid blackjack enthusiast and writer trying to help others learn the game, I‘m often asked "What are the values of cards in blackjack?" It‘s an important question for new players hoping to grasp the basics. Knowing the value of every card is key to making the optimal decisions at the table and boosting your odds against the house edge.

In this beginner‘s guide, I‘ll clearly explain everything you need to know about blackjack card values, special hands, soft vs. hard totals, and more! My goal is to break down the card point values in a way that‘s easy to understand and remember. Let‘s get started!

## The Basics – Card Values and Point Totals

The first thing to know is that numbered cards from 2 through 10 are worth their face value – a 5 is worth 5 points, a 9 is worth 9, and so on.

Then, the face cards – Jack, Queen, and King are all valued at 10 points each. This makes them especially good since they have a high value while only taking up one card.

Finally, Aces are unique since they can be worth either 1 or 11 points, whichever is better for your hand total. More on that flexibility below!

Here‘s a quick reference chart covering all the standard card values:

| 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 |

To count your hand total, you simply add up the values of your individual cards. For example:

- A hand with a 7 and a 9 totals 16 points
- A hand with a Jack and a 5 totals 15 points
- A hand with a King, Ace, and 3 can total 14 or 24 points depending on the Ace value

Easy enough so far? Now let‘s look at some special card combinations and values that are important to know in blackjack.

## Special Blackjack Card Values and Hands

### Blackjack (Natural)

A blackjack is a 2 card hand containing an Ace and a 10-point card like a King, Queen, Jack or 10. This hand is called natural blackjack and has a total value of 21 points in just 2 cards.

Blackjacks are the best possible hand in the game. They beat all other hands and pay out 3:2 on your original bet (50% more). Always take this payout when you‘re dealt a blackjack!

### Soft Hands

A soft hand in blackjack contains an Ace being used as 11 points without the total going over 21. For example:

- Ace + 6 = Soft 17
- Ace + 2 + 3 = Soft 16

Soft hands are desirable since the Ace‘s flexible value gives you more options to improve your hand total if needed.

### Hard Hands

A hard hand is any blackjack hand that does _not_ contain an Ace being counted as 11 points. For example:

- 7 + 8 = Hard 15
- 10 + 5 = Hard 15
- King + Jack = Hard 20

With hard hands, you cannot change your total since there are no Aces in the hand‘s value.

### Pairs

Any two cards of the same rank, like two 8s or two Kings, form a pair in blackjack. Pairs allow the special move of splitting your hand into two separate hands and doubling your bet. This can be to your advantage in the right situations.

### Stiff Hands

A stiff hand is one where there is a risk of going bust if you hit. Hard totals of 12 through 16 are considered stiff, since only a few high cards could push you over 21. 15 is the worst stiff hand in blackjack, as the odds of going bust are high.

## Card Counting Values

Now that we‘ve covered the basics, let‘s discuss card values in terms of advanced strategy like card counting. Skilled players use special systems to track the dealt cards and gain an advantage by determining when the remaining deck favors the player.

In the famous Hi-Lo card counting system, each card has a positive, negative, or neutral counting value:

- **Low cards 2-6:** +1 point
- **Neutral cards 7-9**: 0 points
- **High cards 10-Ace**: -1 point

As more high cards are dealt from the deck, the running count becomes more positive, signaling there are extra low cards left in the deck that favor the player. When used correctly, card counting lets skilled players gain a 1-2% mathematical edge over the casino!

## Putting Card Values into Practice

Simply knowing the values isn‘t enough – you need to know when to use them to your advantage! Here are a few tips and strategies based on proper card value understanding:

- **Use Aces to your benefit:** Count them as 11 to build strong hands when possible, or 1 point to avoid busting if needed. Their flexibility is powerful.
- **Split strong pairs:** Always split Aces and 8s, but also consider splitting other pairs like 7s and even 6s when the dealer is weak. Matching 10-point cards are another good split.
- **Double down on 10-11:** Doubling your bet when you have a hard 10 or 11 vs the dealer‘s weak upcard (like a 5 or 6) is a great way to capitalize on strong card values.
- **Stand on hard 17+:** Understand that hard totals of 17 points or higher are strong hands that you shouldn‘t risk busting on.

I hope this detailed rundown of blackjack card values provides a helpful introduction to the foundation of all blackjack strategy. Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to chat more about this fascinating game! Whether just starting out or looking to take your game to the next level, knowing your blackjack card values front and back is the key.

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Source: [Demystifying Blackjack Card Values for Success](https://33rdsquare.com/what-are-the-values-cards-in-blackjack-2/)