Blackjack is the absolute crown jewel of the casino table games pit, offering the best mathematical odds for the educated player.
To achieve this, you must understand exactly how every single card in the deck is valued and scored.
Decoding the Card Values
All face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are universally worth exactly 10 points each.
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
The Basic Player Actions: Hit, Stand, Double, Split
If you want the dealer to give you another card to improve your total, you tap the table to indicate a 'Hit'.
Doubling down allows you to double your original bet in exchange for receiving one, and exactly one, additional card.
| Card Type | Point Value | Strategic Importance |
|---|
| Numbered Cards (2-9) | Face Value (2-9 points) | Low cards are bad for the dealer; high cards are good for the player |
| Face Cards (J, Q, K) + 10 | Exactly 10 points | Makes up 30% of the deck; always assume the next card is a 10 |
| The Ace | 1 or 11 points (Player's choice) | Creates 'Soft' hands and is required to hit a natural Blackjack |
Once you understand how the hands are scored, you can begin memorizing the mathematical charts that tell you exactly when to hit or stand.