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Blackjack Card Values

Summary: In blackjack , all cards are counted using their face value. Since Kings, Queens and Jacks have faces but no value, they count as 10.Aces are a flexible card that can count as 1 or 11. They’re counted as an 11 unless that puts your hand over 21 – if that’s the case, they’ll count as 1.

Table of Contents:

The Basics of Blackjack Card Values
The Impact of Card Values on Hand Strength
Blackjack Card Values Table
Card Values in Different Blackjack Variants
Blackjack Card Values and Dealer Rules
Common Mistakes Related to Blackjack Card Values
Blackjack Values FAQs

Understanding card values is essential to making the right decisions in blackjack. The goal is to reach 21 without exceeding it, and knowing how each card affects your total helps you play strategically. While the scoring system is straightforward, success comes from understanding how different card values influence your hand and overall strategy.

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The Basics of Blackjack Card Values

Each card in blackjack has a fixed value, except for Aces, which can count as either 1 or 11. Numbered cards (2–10) are worth their face value, while face cards (Kings, Queens, and Jacks) are always valued as 10’s. Understanding these values is key to making the best play in any situation.

Standard Values of Cards (2-10, Face Cards, Aces)

In blackjack, card values determine your hand strength and influence your best possible moves.

Number Cards (2-10): These cards are worth their face value, so a 2 counts as 2, a 3 as 3, and so on up to 10.
Face Cards (Kings, Queens, Jacks): All face cards are worth 10 points each
Aces: Aces can be 1 or 11, whichever is more favourable for the hand

How Aces Work (1 or 11)

Aces are the most versatile cards in blackjack because they can be counted as either 1 or 11, depending on the situation.

If counting the Ace as 11 would cause the hand to exceed 21, it automatically counts as 1 to prevent the player or dealer from going bust
If an Ace is counted as 11 without busting, the hand is considered soft, giving the player more flexibility. They can treat the Ace as 1 or 11, depending on which total benefits them most

For example:

An Ace and a 6 create a soft 17 (can be 7 or 17)
An Ace, 6, and a 10 become a hard 17 because the Ace must now count as 1 to avoid busting.

Face Cards: Kings, Queens, and Jacks

Kings, Queens, and Jacks each have a fixed value of 10 points. While they lack the flexibility of Aces, their high value makes them crucial for building strong hands.

A face card paired with an Ace creates a blackjack (21), which is an automatic win unless the dealer also has 21.
Since four out of every 13 cards in a deck are worth 10, they appear frequently, making them a key part of blackjack strategy.

The Impact of Card Values on Hand Strength

Card values determine your hand’s flexibility and the strategy you should use. Some hands allow more options, while others force players to make riskier decisions.

Hard Hands vs. Soft Hands

Sitting at a blackjack table, online or in person, you’ll often hear the term soft hand or hard hand. The basic difference is the presence of an ace. Natural blackjack hands aside, if there’s an ace involved it’s soft and if not it’s a hard hand.

What makes a soft hand ‘soft’? The presence of an ace. Since the ace can shift from a value of 11 to a 1 during the round, they are considered flexible, soft and beneficial to hold! On the flip side, a hard hand in blackjack has a determined ‘hard’ value that won’t change.

In blackjack, hands are classified as hard or soft, depending on whether an Ace is present and how it is counted.

Hard Hands: A hard hand has no Aces or an Ace that must be counted as 1 to prevent busting. These hands offer less flexibility and require more precise decision-making.
Example: 10-7 (hard 17) or 9-5-2 (hard 16)
Soft Hands: A soft hand includes an Ace counted as 11, making it more forgiving since the value can change if needed
Example: Ace-6 (soft 17) can be counted as 7 or 17, allowing the player to take an extra card without the immediate risk of busting

Blackjack (Natural 21) vs. Other Strong Hands

A blackjack, or natural 21, occurs when the first two cards dealt are an Ace and a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King). This is the strongest possible hand because:

It automatically wins unless the dealer also has a blackjack, resulting in a push (tie)
It typically pays 3:2, meaning a $10 bet wins $15 instead of the standard 1:1 payout on a regular win. However, some variations of blackjack offer 6:5 payouts, which reduce the player's advantage.

Other strong hands, like 20 (10-10 or King-Queen) or 19, put you in a great position, but the dealer can still win with a higher total or a blackjack.

The Worst Possible Hands

Some hands put players at a major disadvantage, making them tough to play. Hard 12 to 16, known as stiff hands, are too weak to stand on but risky to hit.

Hard 16 (9-7, 10-6): One of the worst hands since hitting risks busting, but standing often loses. Surrendering is best against a dealer 9, 10, or Ace if allowed
Hard 15 (10-5, 9-6): Like hard 16, this hand puts you in a tough spot, as standing is weak, but hitting risks busting
Hard 12 (10-2, 9-3): Not as difficult as 16, but still challenging. Hitting is the right move against a dealer 2 or 3, even though it carries some risk

With these hands, the goal is to limit losses rather than aim for a win. When surrender is an option, it’s often the smartest choice.

Blackjack Card Values Table

In blackjack, the numbered cards (2 to 10) hold their face value, while the face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are all worth 10 points. The Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11, depending on the player's preference and the hand's overall value.

Card	Value
2	2
3	3
4	4
5	5
6	6
7	7
8	8
9	9
10, J, Q, K	10
Ace	1 or 11

Card Values in Different Blackjack Variants

While the basic card values remain the same across most blackjack games, different rule variations can affect gameplay and strategy. Some versions use alternative deck compositions or adjust how certain hands are treated, influencing the importance of specific card values.

Classic Blackjack

Classic blackjack follows standard rules where, as mentioned:

Number cards (2-10) are worth their face value
Face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are worth 10 points
Aces can count as 1 or 11, depending on what benefits the hand

A blackjack, or natural 21, still beats all other hands and typically pays 3:2 unless house rules state otherwise.

European Blackjack

European blackjack is similar to the classic version but has two key differences:

The dealer receives only one card initially and draws their second card after all players have acted
The game is played with two decks instead of six or eight, slightly altering card distribution and probability

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 follows most classic blackjack rules but removes all 10-value cards (10s, but not face cards) from the deck. This creates a 48-card deck instead of 52, which alters the game in several ways:

The lack of 10s increases the likelihood of drawing lower-value cards, affecting both the player and the dealer
Players are compensated with bonuses for specific hands, such as a five-card 21 paying extra
Late surrender and doubling down after splitting are often allowed, offering more flexibility

Double Exposure Blackjack

In Double Exposure Blackjack, both of the dealer’s initial cards are dealt face-up, providing a huge advantage to players. However, to balance this:

A blackjack pays even money (1:1) instead of 3:2
The dealer wins all ties except for a natural 21

Card values remain the same, but knowing the dealer’s full hand significantly changes betting and playing strategies.

Pontoon

Pontoon is a variation of blackjack with different terminology and slight rule changes:

A blackjack (Ace + 10-value card) is called a Pontoon and pays 2:1
A five-card hand totalling 21 or less also pays 2:1, making lower-value cards more valuable in some situations
The dealer’s cards remain hidden until the end of the round, making decisions harder for players

While card values stay the same, the rule changes in Pontoon encourage more aggressive strategies, particularly with hitting and drawing extra cards.

Blackjack Card Values and Dealer Rules

The dealer follows strict rules when playing their hand, which impacts strategy and odds. Understanding how card values influence dealer decisions can help players make smarter choices.

Dealer Hit and Stand Rules

Dealers must hit until they reach at least 17. In most games, they:

Stand on 17 or higher
Hit on 16 or lower, reducing the chances of players winning by default

Unlike players, dealers cannot make strategic decisions; they must follow these rules regardless of their hand.

Dealer’s Advantage and Its Dependence on Card Values

The dealer benefits from acting last, meaning players can bust before the dealer even plays. Since the dealer must hit on totals below 17, hands with high-value cards (10s, face cards, and Aces) increase their odds of winning, while low-value cards force them to take risks.

The Impact of Soft 17 Rules

Some casinos require the dealer to hit on soft 17 (Ace + 6) instead of standing. This makes the game tougher for players because:

The dealer gets another chance to improve their hand
It slightly increases the house edge, meaning players lose a little more in the long run

Avoiding these common errors can improve your strategy and help you make smarter decisions.

Misplaying Aces: Aces are the most flexible cards, yet many players fail to take advantage of them. Always treat soft hands (Ace + another card) differently from hard hands, and double down when the strategy calls for it
Overvaluing Face Cards: While 10-value cards are common, assuming one will always appear leads to bad decisions. Relying too much on face cards can cause players to stand too early or make risky bets
Ignoring the Dealer’s Upcard: The dealer’s first card dictates the best move. A weak dealer upcard (2-6) means you can play conservatively, while a strong one (7-Ace) often requires a more aggressive approach

Blackjack Values FAQs

Below are some commonly asked questions related to blackjack card values:

What is the most important card in Blackjack?

The Ace is the most important card because it can be 1 or 11, making hands more flexible. It plays a key role in blackjack (natural 21) and soft hands.

How does the Ace’s dual value (1 or 11) impact strategy?

Aces create soft hands, allowing players to hit without the immediate risk of busting. This flexibility affects decisions like doubling down or hitting on lower totals.

Can understanding card values alone make me a better player?

Card values are essential, but strategy matters too. Knowing when to hit, stand, split, or double down based on the dealer’s upcard is key to long-term success.

What’s the difference between a hard hand and a soft hand?

A hard hand has no Aces or an Ace counted as 1, offering less flexibility, such as 10-7 or Ace-6-10. A soft hand includes an Ace counted as 11, allowing more options, like Ace-6, which can be 7 or 17.

What is the value of a king in blackjack?

A king dealt at the blackjack tables holds the same value as all the other royal cards. Kings, Queens and Jacks all count as 10.

What is the value of a queen in blackjack?

In blackjack, Queens hold a value of 10. This is the same value as the other face cards, Kings and Jacks. Let’s say you’re holding two cards in a starter hand of Queen + King, that’s a count of 20 (so obviously you’re going to stay!)

What is the value of a jack in blackjack?

A jack dealt at the blackjack tables holds the same value as all the other royal cards. Jacks, Queens and Kings all count as 10.

Are jokers used in blackjack?

A traditional blackjack game does not use any jokers. It plays with a 52 card deck, with each card holding its face value and Kings, Queens and Jacks valued at 10. The Ace is handled a little differently, used as a 1 or 11.

What are the bust cards in blackjack?

When blackjack players talk about bust cards, they’re referring to cards that are most likely to result in a bust hand. More frequently than not, a Dealer showing a 4, 5 or 6 will bust. This changes the player’s tactics. If one assumes the Dealer is going to bust holding a 4, 5 or 6 then the player will likely hold, even if they’re holding a low 12. To deep dive into bust cards, have a read of our Blackjack Basic Strategy guide to help you through specific plays.

Can the value of an Ace change during the game?

In blackjack, an Ace can be worth either 1 or 11. They’re counted as an 11 unless that puts your hand over 21 – if that’s the case, they’ll count as 1.

Can you change the value of an ace in blackjack?

In most cases, the player can not select the value of an ace in blackjack and it is assigned automatically to avoid busting. Some casino blackjack rules specify that the Dealer’s first ace counts as 11 unless it busts the hand, and subsequent aces count as one.

What happens if the player's hand exceeds 21?

If a player's hand exceeds 21 in blackjack, it is known as "busting" or "breaking." When this happens, the player automatically loses the game.

Is the dealer ace 1 or 11 in blackjack?

In most casinos, the dealer's first Ace in blackjack can be worth 11 unless it would bust the hand, in which case it is worth 1

Are card values the same in all variations of blackjack?

The card values in blackjack are generally consistent across all variations of the game.

Do card values impact the outcome of every hand?

Yes, the blackjack hand values have a huge impact on the outcome of each round.

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