Blackjack is one of the best known casino card games in the UK, both online and in land-based venues. The cards look familiar, but how they’re counted is what shapes every round.
This guide explains blackjack card values with clear examples, so you can learn how hands add up and what that means during play. Whether you are new to the game or brushing up on the basics, the following sections break it down step by step.
If you are ready to explore how totals, Aces and pairs work together at the table, read on for a straightforward overview.
What Are Blackjack Card Values?
In blackjack, each card has a fixed value, and these values determine the strength of your hand. The aim is to try and beat the dealer by reaching a hand total as close to 21 as possible, without going over.
- Numbered cards from 2 to 10 are counted at their face value. A 7 of clubs is worth 7 points, a 3 of hearts is worth 3 points.
- Face cards, which are the Jack, Queen and King, each count as 10 points. They are treated the same as a 10 card.
- The Ace is flexible. It can count as 1 point or 11 points, depending on which total might keep you at, or under 21.
Here’s a quick summary for reference:
- 2 to 10: Worth their number
- Jack, Queen, King: 10 points each
- Ace: 1 or 11 points
Some blackjack games use more than one deck, which changes how often certain cards may appear, but the values themselves do not change. It may be a good idea to check the table rules, so you know which options are available.
What Counts As Your Total Hand Value In Blackjack?
Your hand value is the sum of the values of all the cards you hold at that moment. If the total goes over 21, you bust and the round ends for that hand.
For example, if you are dealt a 5 of diamonds and a 7 of spades, your total is 12. If a Queen is added, the total becomes 22, which is a bust and you lose your stake.
Aces are the only cards that can change their value. If an Ace and an 8 are in your hand, the total can be either 9 or 19. With an Ace, a 7 and a 5, the Ace shifts to 1 to avoid a bust, giving a total of 13. The Ace’s flexibility is what allows some hands to adapt as new cards are drawn.
How Soft And Hard Hands Differ
Hands are often described as soft or hard. This simply tells you whether an Ace in the hand is currently valued as 11.
A soft hand includes an Ace counted as 11. If a new card would take the total over 21, the Ace can switch to 1. For example, Ace and 5 is a soft 16. If a 7 arrives, the Ace becomes 1 and the new total is 13.
A hard hand either has no Ace, or has an Ace that must count as 1 to stay under 21. A 10 and a 6 is a hard 16. An Ace, 7 and 9 is a hard 17 because the Ace cannot remain at 11 without causing a bust.
Knowing whether a hand is soft or hard can help frame decisions later, because a soft hand can absorb an extra card more easily than a hard total at the same number.
What Happens When Cards Share The Same Value?
It is common to hold two cards with the same value, such as two 8s, or two face cards like a King and a Jack, which both count as 10.
If you are dealt a pair at the start of a round, many blackjack games allow you to split them into two separate hands. Splitting requires placing an additional bet equal to your original stake for the second hand.
Each new hand is then dealt one extra card. For most pairs, you can continue to hit or stand on each hand as usual. However, when splitting Aces, many games only allow one additional card per hand and no further hits. For example, splitting two 8s creates two hands starting with 8, which can then develop differently depending on the cards dealt.
Rules on splitting can vary, including limits on how many times you can split or whether splitting 10-value cards is allowed. Check the table rules so you know your options. Outcomes vary from hand to hand.
How Card Values Change Your Decisions At The Table
Decisions such as taking another card (hit) or keeping your total as it is (stand) depend on your current total, whether the hand is soft or hard, and the dealer’s visible card.
Lower totals, like 9 or 10, leave more room to draw additional cards. Higher totals, such as 16 or 17, are more likely to bust if you take another card. A soft total, because of the Ace’s flexibility, can often handle an extra card in situations where a hard total could not.
The dealer’s face-up card is important because it influences how players approach the hand. If the dealer shows a low card, some players see it as giving the dealer more work to try and reach a strong total. If the dealer shows a 10 or an Ace, many take a more cautious approach, since the dealer is more likely to reach a strong total.
Some tables allow additional options that depend on card values:
- Double down, which lets you increase your stake after the first two cards and draw one more card
- Split, which turns a pair into two separate hands, as covered earlier
Availability and conditions for these options depend on the rules in use.
Do Different Blackjack Variants Use Different Card Values?
Across mainstream variants, card values are consistent. Numbered cards keep their number, face cards are 10, and the Ace counts as 1 or 11.
What changes between variants is how the game is played. Examples include whether the dealer must hit or stand on a soft 17, when doubling down is allowed, how splitting works, and how many decks are used. These details can influence decisions and pacing, but the underlying card values stay the same.
Before playing, review the rules and paytable, so you better understand the options, potential payouts and any specific table conditions. Set a budget you are comfortable with and avoid chasing losses.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.