The Ace is a powerful tool for any successful hand because of its unique flexibility to count as either one or 11 points, at the player’s discretion. All learned blackjack players know we need to use this card wisely, and not let it go to waste.
Standard values in a game of Blackjack are: Face cards of the Jack, Queen and King are worth ten Cards two through ten are worth their face value The Ace has two possible values of either one or eleven depending upon the effect it will have on the player’s hand. These are: Buy or stay if the score is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 7/17 or 8/18. Double or buy, if the sum of the first two cards is 9, 10 or 11. Split, buy or stay, if the first two cards have the same value.
Blackjack Points: Card and Hand Values. Blackjack uses standard playing cards which value from the numbers 2 thru 10 and have the royal cards such as jacks, queens, kings and aces. The red and black suits include diamond, hearts, clubs and spades. In most cases, the suit doesn't matter unless you are playing a special variation of blackjack.
When playing Blackjack the numeral cards 2 to 10 have their face values, Jacks, Queens and Kings are valued at 10, and Aces can have a value of either 1 or 11. The Ace is always valued at 11 unless that would result in the hand going over 21, in which case it is valued as 1. Any hand with an Ace valued as 11 is called a ‘soft.
Best blackjack casino sites
Bonus
Pokies
Availability
600+
400+
20+
1 or 11 – How to Use an Ace
Required to form a natural two-card blackjack in all variants of the game (and thus a higher pay-out), the Ace is the pillar of the game of 21. A natural blackjack will always trump the dealer’s hand, or possibly force a push (otherwise known as a tie) if the dealer also draws to blackjack. And the Ace’s flexibility to be valued at either one or 11 points can be used according to which value is most advantageous for us, and this should not be taken for granted.
A hand with an Ace is known as a “soft hand” based on the fact that if we hit, we cannot bust. For example, if we hold an Ace/Four (five or 15 points in total) as our first two card dealt, it is impossible to bust by drawing another card, because if we drew a card valued at 10 points, we would simply give the Ace a value of one, for a hand total of 15. If we drew another Ace from the Ace/Four hand, such a hand could total either six or 16.
Drawing an Ace and a high-valued card such as a Seven, Eight or Nine give the player a strong starting hand, and needs to be played based on what the dealer is showing. Drake casino no deposit bonus 2016. It is important to play to the Ace’s strengths, but also be aware of the potential danger we face when the dealer shows an Ace; it’s equally as deadly a weapon when used against us.
Free slots machines in casino. If we draw two Aces, our first course of action is to always split them. While the Ace is a powerful card on its own, if we are dealt a pair of Aces on our first draw and opt to keep them together, their combined total value is either two or 12 points. While drawing another card would not bust our hand, starting with a soft-12 is a much poorer hand with much weaker odds of winning, than beginning afresh with two new hands which both have the potential to draw to blackjack.
While we are required to place another bet equal to our original wager when we split our cards, it is well worth the money, as we stand in a much stronger position than before. And should we win, the payout will be greater. Keeping the Aces together wastes the inherent value of the Ace card by itself. Always split them to have the best possible chances of bettering your hand.
The Catch With Split Aces
Because the decision to split a pair of Aces is universally agreed upon, because of the favourable odds such a move hands the player, casinos employ certain rules to counter its effectiveness.
If we split our Aces and draw a 10-valued card to achieve blackjack with either hand, many land-based casinos enforce the rule that such a hand is not considered a natural blackjack, and therefore, we are not be entitled to the usual 3 to 2 payout; instead we only receive a 1 to 1 payout. We have more freedom playing online simply because of the vast range of different games with different rules, but there are still quite a few variants which enforce this rule, so be mindful of it before you let rip at not scoring a bigger return from your hard-earned 21.
Another rule which can counter the effectiveness of split Aces states we are only allowed to be dealt one additional card to each Ace, with no allowance for hitting (just like if we were to double down). This significantly hurts our chances if we are dealt two lower cards, such as a Deuce and a Four, two our Aces, giving us totals of 13 and 15 respectively, and leaving us with no other option but to stand. Again, with the flexibility of online gaming, try to play games of 21 which do not own such a rule.
One other rule which is far less enforced but still exists, is the simple rule which dictates players are not permitted to split Aces, full stop. There are subtypes of blackjack where this regulation is imposed. Steer clear of such games.
How to Maximise Our Aces
Using an Ace to its full potential is a key part of basic strategy. Whenever we are dealt an Ace, it is important to take note of the dealer’s up-card before we proceed (as it is with any other card). To understand what moves we should make with any hand containing an Ace, familiarise yourself with basic blackjack strategy here.
Exploiting an ‘Ace rich deck’ is a tactic used by many gamblers. A single standard deck has 52 cards, and there is one Ace for every thirteen cards. Should we be playing a single deck game, we should take note if no Aces appear in the first deal of 13 cards, or if even luckier, the second or even third deal of 13 cards. If such a scenario arises, we tend to call the deck an Ace rich deck, as none of the four Aces have yet been dealt.
If no Ace card shows in the first 13 cards dealt in a single-deck game, we should double our starting bet, and raise it again by around $5-$10 for every subsequent 13 cards dealt without an Ace. While this rare situation gives us only a slight boost in our odds, it should be taken advantage of whenever possible so as to potentially net us more bang for our buck.
She is a Beauty
We here at blackjack.com.au like to personify the Ace. Whenever we see that first letter of the alphabet appear on a card, we get excited, and more often than not, we reap the rewards of being dealt an Ace. So it’s only fair we pay tribute to her beauty. Her value is unique, akin to no other card, and in the game of blackjack, if we are ever so lucky to be dealt a pair of Aces, split them apart so they don’t get jealous of one another. Naturally, there is an increased risk when splitting, as we need to double our bet to create two hands, but she’s worth every penny.
Origins of the Ace
The term Ace first began in dice games rather than card games, and was used to refer to the side of the dice with only one dot. Ironically, in the earliest forms of card games and card gambling, the Ace was considered useless. It had the lowest value of all cards and was the worst one to draw. This is a far cry from its high value today.
When the French game of Vingt-et-Un (meaning twenty-one), came to America via French colonists, it helped to change the way Aces were perceived and used in blackjack, by shifting the previous perception of royal cards as being the best cards, especially following the beheading of King Louis XVI.
French gamblers, who felt it was politically incorrect for the royal cards to continue being considered high-value, replaced their crowns with personified representations of the ideals of democracy, liberty and honesty, while raising the Ace – considered now to be the personification of the common man – to the highest value. It has retained its status until this very day.
A staple of casinos from Las Vegas to Monte Carlo, blackjack is arguably the world’s most popular casino card game. Thanks to its popularity, almost every casino in the world has a blackjack table – or 10, or 100 – set up waiting for new players.
You’ve probably played blackjack before, either online or in a casino. However, the game of blackjack is significant different when you’re playing as the dealer instead of as one of the players.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to deal blackjack. From the order in which players are dealt cards to the hitting and standing requirements for dealers, read on to learn the blackjack rules you never learnt as a player.
Do you want to learn the fundamentals of blackjack strategy from an expert? Learn Blackjack and Counting Cards to learn how to play blackjack in any casino and maximize your average win rate.
Blackjack basics for players and dealers
The basic rules of blackjack are simple. Players try to score as close to 21 as possible without exceeding 21. In contrast to poker, where players compete with each other, blackjack is a one-on-one game between each player and the dealer.
As the dealer, the basic rules of blackjack still apply. Cards 2 through 10 are worth their face value. The jack, queen and king are worth 10 points each. The ace has a value of either 1 point or 11 points, depending on its usage in your hand.
Free Card Values
The advanced rules of blackjack, however, are a little bit different. Since dealers are responsible for paying out bets, they obviously can’t take insurance. They also can’t split their hand, double down on a good hand or surrender for half their bet.
In addition to these rules, when you play as the dealer you face additional rules that limit how you can hit or stand. In most casinos, the dealer is required to hit on hands worth less than 17 points, regardless of the cards that make up their hand.
Hands worth 17 points, however, can’t be hit on. If you’re playing as the dealer and your hand is worth 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 points, you can’t hit any further and need to stand with whatever hand you’ve got.
These restrictions on additional rules, hitting, and standing are the only differences between the dealer’s rules and the players’ rules. In addition to the different rules, the dealer plays their hand after the players have played their hands.
Do you need help memorizing the rules of blackjack as a player and a dealer? Learn how to memorize blackjack strategy, the values of different cards and the different rules for blackjack dealers in our Master Your Memory course.
Before you start dealing cards
Are you ready to deal the cards? Don’t act too quickly. Before you deal cards to the players, several things need to be done. First, you need to shuffle your cards and, if you’re playing with several players, combine two or more decks together.
Once your cards are shuffled, make sure all players have placed their bets. All bets need to be placed before you start dealing cards – players can’t bet once their cards are dealt unless they’re doubling down or splitting their hand into two.
What Are The Card Values In Poker
Remember, players are allowed to have basic strategy cards at the table. If you’re interested in learning basic strategy (remember, you can’t help the players) read our blog post on blackjack strategy.
Dealing cards for players
Start by dealing each player’s first card face down. Deal the player on your left first, then move left to right down the remaining players. Finish by dealing yourself one card face down. Deal another card to each player, this time with the card facing up.
Finally, deal your final card. This time, it should face upwards. If your card is an ace, you need to ask the players if they want to purchase insurance. If they do, take each player’s insurance (it should be half of their original bet) and flip over your second card to see whether or not you have a blackjack.
Blackjack Chip Values
If you have a blackjack, collect bets from anyone that didn’t buy insurance. Players that did buy insurance receive their original bets back. Players with blackjack will receive their original bet, even if they didn’t purchase insurance.
The players’ turns
If your face-up card isn’t an ace, continue play as normal. Starting from your left, all of the players play their hand in turn. Players can stand, in which case you move on to the next player. They can also hit, in which case you deal them a new card face up.
If the player continues drawing cards until their hand exceeds 21, they’re bust. You can collect their bet and move on to the next player. If they have blackjack on their first hand, pay back their bet with a 3:2 bonus (for example, a $20 bet receives $30, as well as the return of their original bet.)
Before players take additional cards, they can double down. In this case, deal them a new card face up after they have added their extra bet. Remember that players who choose to double down only receive one new card and cannot continue to hit.
Players with matching cards can split their hand into two. Once a player splits their hand and matches their original bet, you should deal them two cards – one for each hand – both facing down. Players then play one hand followed by the other.
Finally, if a player splits a hand containing two aces, they are limited to one card per hand. Deal one card for each hand, facing down as usual, but do not let the player hit on their hand any more. Any split blackjacks should be paid out at 1:1 odds instead of the typical 3:2 bonus payment.
Sound confusing? Learn how to play blackjack the right way from an experienced professional team that won over $4 million from casinos with our course, How to Count Cards for Profit at Blackjack.
The dealer’s turn
Once each players has had their turn, it’s your turn to play. Turn over your down-facing card. If your hand is worth 16 points or less, deal yourself another card and continue until it’s worth 17 or more points.
If your hand is worth more than 17 points, don’t deal any cards. If your second card is an ace, count it as 11 only until your total exceeds 21, at which point the ace has a value of 1 point.
If the value of your hand exceeds 21, you’re bust and the remaining players win. If your hand is worth less than 21, pay any players with a higher value than you, and collect bets from players whose hands have a lower value than yours.
Finally, if you tie with a player, refund their bet. Once you’ve dealt with all of bets and finished playing, collect cards from all players and prepare for the next hand.
Do you need help learning how to play as the dealer? Learn Blackjack and review the basics of the game. Gorilla slot machine. In addition to learning how to deal, you’ll master basic blackjack strategy and the secret art of card counting.
Having fun while you play
Once you know the basic rules of playing blackjack as the dealer, you’ll be able to host players at home and have you own blackjack games. Most casinos require all dealers to have professional training, so if you’d like to make blackjack dealing a career, you’ll need to attend a professional casino school.
What Are The Card Values In Blackjack Real Money
If you’re playing at home, why not spice up the game with some card tricks? Join over 1,000 students and learn simple card tricks that you can perform in between your blackjack games in our Hacking Perception: Cool Card Tricks course.