A Guide To Casino Blackjack Card Values And Basic Hands

Blackjack is the absolute crown jewel of the casino table games pit, offering the best mathematical odds for the educated player.


The fundamental objective of blackjack is incredibly simple, yet widely misunderstood by many beginners.

How Much is Each Card Worth in Blackjack?

All face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are universally worth exactly 10 points each.


An Ace can be counted as either 1 point or 11 points, depending entirely on which value helps your hand the most without busting.

Going over a total of 21 is called 'Busting' or 'Breaking'; if you bust, you immediately lose your bet, even if the dealer eventually busts laterThe casino's entire mathematical edge comes from the fact that the player is forced to draw cards and potentially bust before the dealer ever actsUnderstanding the difference between a Hard 17 and a Soft 17 is critical, as basic strategy dictates entirely different actions for each
Understanding Your Options at the Table

Once you are dealt your first two cards, you have several primary choices to make regarding how to play the hand.


If you are dealt a strong starting hand (like an 11), you can choose to 'Double Down'.

Player ActionHand SignalWhen to Use It (Basic Rule of Thumb)HitTap the feltWhen your total is low and you risk nothing by taking a cardStandWave hand horizontallyWhen your total is 17 or higher (Hard 17+)

Blackjack rewards knowledge; learn the basics, trust the math, and the game will reward you.