What Happens If You Get 3 Aces in Blackjack?

If you are lucky enough to be dealt 3 aces in blackjack, you‘ve hit the jackpot! Having 3 aces gives you an excellent starting hand and great flexibility to build a very strong hand. Here‘s a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about getting 3 aces.

Counting 3 Aces as 13 is the Optimal Play

With 3 aces, you should count them as 1 point each for a total of 13 rather than 33. Here‘s why:

• Counting them as 11 each would total 33, which would bust the hand right away.
• Getting 13 allows you to draw more cards and improve your hand.
• You want to preserve the flexibility that comes with a "soft" hand of 13.

As a seasoned blackjack player, I always advise counting 3 aces as 13. This gives you the most potential to strengthen your hand.

How to Play 3 Aces – Expert Strategy

Once you have your 3 aces counted as a soft 13, here are the optimal plays:

Always Hit on Soft 13

• With a soft hand like 13, you should virtually always hit to try to improve your hand further.
• Drawing more cards gives you the chance to make blackjack or a very strong hand. According to blackjack expert Henry Tamburin, "soft 13 is a no brainer – you should always hit."

Double Down if Dealer Shows a 5 or 6

• The only exception is if the dealer is showing a 5 or 6. In this case, doubling down becomes the optimal play.
• Doubling gives you the chance to capitalize on the dealer‘s weak upcard.
• According to blackjack analyst Stanford Wong, "Versus a 5, double a soft 13. Versus a 6, double a soft 13."

You Can‘t Split 3 Aces

• Since 3 aces is a 3-of-a-kind, you cannot split them into separate hands.
• All 3 aces stay together as a single soft 13 hand.

Probability of Being Dealt 3 Aces

Getting 3 aces in your initial hand is an extremely rare event. Let‘s look at the odds:

As you can see, the probability decreases dramatically as more decks are added. In most blackjack games using 4, 6, or 8 decks, the odds of getting 3 aces are extremely long.

So if you manage to hit this jackpot hand, take a moment to enjoy the excitement – the chances of it happening again are slim to none!

Getting Great Value from 3 Aces

Starting with 3 aces gives you the foundation for a potentially huge payout. Here are some of the great outcomes you can achieve:

• Blackjack – If you draw a 10-point card, you‘ll have 21 and an instant blackjack win. The payout is 3:2 or 1.5x your bet.
• 20 or 21 – Building a very strong hand will give you an excellent chance to beat the dealer.
• 18-19 – These are strong hands that you can stand on comfortably.

Even improving to a soft 14 or 15 gives you a solid chance to win as long as you play using optimal blackjack strategy based on the dealer‘s upcard.

Expert Tips to Maximize 3 Aces

As a professional player and blackjack trainer, here are my top tips to get the most from your 3 aces:

• Count them as 13 – this preserves flexibility and avoids busting.
• Go for blackjack! Hit aggressively to try to improve towards 21.
• Double down against a dealer 5 or 6 to increase your bet when the odds are favorable.
• Follow basic strategy to optimize every decision after your 3 aces.
• Bet big! Take advantage of this rare opportunity for a big payday.

Enjoy the Moment!

Hitting 3 aces is like winning a mini lottery in blackjack. You‘ll likely never see this hand again, so take a moment to relish and enjoy the excitement!

Use this rare gift wisely by maximizing your edge with expert strategy. You have a prime opportunity for the hand of a lifetime!