Playing Aces in the Game of Blackjack
Few cards influence blackjack more powerfully than the ace. Aces shape strong hands and drive strategic decisions that can dramatically shift the course of a game.
But how can you fully capitalize on their potential?
This guide covers everything you need to handle aces effectively. First, we'll explore the unique role aces play in blackjack. Then, we'll break down the three crucial scenarios that demand specific tactics: receiving a pair of aces, receiving an ace with another card, and facing a dealer whose upcard is an ace.
Each scenario includes clear, practical strategies to improve your odds of success. At the end, you'll find a useful cheat sheet for quick reference at the table.
How Does an Ace Work in Blackjack?
The ace is the most versatile card in blackjack.
It can count as either 1 or 11, depending on which value provides the player with the stronger hand. By default, the ace is valued at 11, but if counting it as 11 would push your hand over 21, its value automatically shifts to 1.
This flexibility makes hands containing an ace especially valuable and strategically important.
A hand with an ace counted as 11 is known as a "soft" hand, meaning you can't bust by taking just one additional card. For example, Ace-6 totals a soft 17. If your next card is a 9, the ace switches to a value of 1, making your hand total 16 rather than busting at 26.
Aces are also crucial for creating a natural blackjack. If you receive an ace paired with any 10-point card (10, Jack, Queen, King) as your initial two cards, you have blackjack, which typically pays out at 3:2. This hand wins automatically unless the dealer matches it.
How Blackjack Is Played: Step by Step
You can't play aces skilfully without first understanding the game itself. Before diving into specific ace scenarios, here's a concise overview of how blackjack works:
- Place Your Bet: Each player makes a wager before any cards are dealt. Casinos typically set a table minimum and maximum, limiting the amount you can bet per hand
- Receive Two Cards: Both the player and the dealer receive two cards. The player’s cards are dealt face-up, while the dealer has one card face-up (the "upcard") and one face-down (the "hole card")
- Card Values: Each card has a specific value. Cards numbered 2 through 10 keep their numerical values, while Jacks, Queens, and Kings are each worth 10 points. Aces, as previously described, can count as either 11 or 1, depending on which value better suits your hand
- Check for Blackjack: If the player or dealer has a total of 21 from the initial two cards, that’s a blackjack. The round ends immediately unless both have it, which results in a tie (a push)
- Player’s Turn: If there’s no immediate blackjack, the player decides how to proceed.
- Hit: Take another card
- Stand: Keep your current hand
- Double Down: Double your bet, take one more card, then stand
- Split: If you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands
- Surrender (if allowed): Forfeit half your bet and end the hand
- Dealer’s Turn: Once all players have completed their actions, the dealer reveals their face-down card. The dealer must hit until their hand totals at least 17. Depending on casino rules, dealers may either hit or stand on a "soft 17" (a hand with an ace valued as 11).
- Compare Hands: Once both hands are revealed, look at the possible outcomes.
- If your total is higher than the dealer’s without going over 21, you win
- If you bust (go over 21), you lose, regardless of what the dealer ends with
- If both you and the dealer have the same total, it's a push, and your bet is returned
Mastering the ace requires good timing. Knowing precisely when to play aggressively or when to exercise caution can transform an uncertain hand into a winning one. The following sections detail how to manage aces effectively, whether they're in your hand or held by the dealer.
Three Ace Scenarios You Need to Be Aware Of
Aces create specific situations in blackjack that players must understand clearly to make the correct decisions. These situations include receiving a pair of aces, receiving an ace alongside another card, and facing a dealer who shows an ace.
Each scenario requires its own strategy, and misplaying them can cost more than just the current hand. The following sections break down these scenarios individually, detailing how you should respond and why these decisions give you the strongest chance of success.
Scenario 1: Receiving a Pair of Aces
This is one of the most favourable openings you can get, but only if you play it correctly.
What to Do
Always split a pair of aces. This is one of the clearest plays in blackjack, supported by basic strategy across all game variants.
How to Do It
When you're dealt two aces, place an additional bet equal to your original wager to split the hand. The dealer will separate the aces, add one new card to each, and you'll play them as two independent hands.
In most casinos, you’ll receive only one additional card per ace, and you won’t be allowed to hit again on those hands. If you draw a 10-value card, that hand totals 21, but it's not counted as a natural blackjack, so it typically pays even money rather than the usual 3:2.
Why It Matters
A pair of aces adds up to either 2 or 12, which is a poor total if played as a single hand. Splitting gives you two strong starting hands, each anchored by the best card in the game.
With 10-value cards making up nearly a third of the deck, splitting aces gives you a real chance at turning one or both hands into a strong total. This play is so advantageous that most casinos limit follow-up actions after splitting to reduce the player’s edge.
Scenario 2: Receiving an Ace and Another Card
This is where the ace’s flexibility becomes a powerful tool, but only if you play it the right way.
What to Do
Play soft hands more aggressively than hard ones.
When holding an ace and another non-ace card, your hand is considered "soft," due to the ace’s flexible value. While you'd normally stand on a soft 19 or 20, hands like soft 17 or 18 can often be hit or doubled based on the dealer’s upcard. The aim is to capitalize on the ace’s safety net, improving your hand without risking an immediate bust.
How to Do It
Begin by assessing your total against the dealer’s upcard. For example, with a soft 18 (Ace-7), your approach shifts based on the dealer’s card. Double down if the dealer’s upcard is between 3 and 6. Stand if it's a 2, 7, or 8, but hit against a 9, 10, or ace. The same principle applies to other soft totals: with soft 17 or lower, hit unless the dealer shows a weak card (3 through 6), in which case doubling down is the correct move.
Why It Matters
Soft hands give you more freedom to improve your total without immediately risking going bust. Because the ace adjusts automatically, drawing additional cards carries less risk compared to playing hard hands.
This flexibility makes soft totals excellent opportunities for doubling down when the dealer is vulnerable. It also allows you to hit safely in situations where you'd otherwise hesitate.
Handling these hands correctly ensures you fully capitalize on favourable positions and don’t miss out on potential wins.
Scenario 3: The Dealer Receives an Ace
A dealer showing an ace changes the tone of the round. It signals a strong potential hand and introduces a side bet that’s usually not in your favour.
What to Do
Decline the insurance offer and focus on playing your hand correctly. When the dealer shows an ace, you’ll be asked whether you want to place an insurance bet. This is a separate wager on the possibility that the dealer’s hole card is a 10, giving them a blackjack.
Basic strategy recommends ignoring this option. Instead, prepare to play more aggressively, especially if your hand isn’t already strong.
How to Do It
When prompted for insurance, say no or gesture to decline.
If you’ve been dealt a blackjack, the dealer might offer “even money,” which is another form of insurance. Decline that as well. Once insurance decisions are complete, the dealer checks for blackjack.
If they don’t have it, play continues. At this point, assume the dealer has a strong hand and adjust accordingly. Hit hands that you might normally stand on if the dealer had a weaker upcard. For example, soft 17 (Ace-6) should be hit, and totals below 17 almost always need to be improved.
Why It Matters
An ace gives the dealer a real shot at blackjack and strong totals overall. There's roughly a one-in-three chance that their face-down card is a 10. But the insurance bet doesn't hold up mathematically. It carries a house edge of around 8%, making it one of the least favourable plays for standard players.
Unless you’re counting cards, insurance consistently drains your bankroll over time.
Meanwhile, the dealer is far less likely to bust with an ace compared to other upcards. The bust rate drops to around 17%, so your own hand needs to be stronger. Playing tight doesn’t work here. Smart hitting decisions are the only real advantage you’ll have in this situation.
Cheat Sheet for Playing Aces
Here’s a quick-reference guide to help you make the right decision whenever an ace appears in your hand.
These plays are based on basic strategy and reflect the most mathematically sound options in standard blackjack games.
- A, A: Always split
- A, 10: Blackjack, stand
- A, 9 or A, 8: Stand
- A, 7: Double against dealer 3 to 6; stand against 2, 7, or 8; hit against 9, 10, or Ace
- A, 6: Double against dealer 3 to 6; otherwise hit
- A, 5 or A, 4: Double against dealer 4 to 6; otherwise hit
- A, 3 or A, 2: Double against dealer 5 to 6; otherwise hit
This cheat sheet serves a practical purpose: helping you make quick decisions during play. Each recommendation is based on the ace’s built-in flexibility, whether you’re improving a weak total or locking in a strong one.
Splitting aces is non-negotiable, and doubling soft hands at the right time can shift the odds in your favour. With consistent use, these choices become second nature, keeping your play sharp and deliberate.
Learn about other blackjack strategies in our guides: