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 goal is not simply to get as close to 21 as possible; the true goal is strictly to beat the dealer's hand without going over 21.

The Value of the Deck: Aces, Faces, and Numbers

Cards numbered 2 through 10 are worth their exact printed face value (e.g., a 7 of Spades is worth 7 points).


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 cardA 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 are satisfied with your total and want to end your turn, you wave your hand horizontally over the cards to 'Stand'.


Finally, if you are dealt a pair (like two 8s), you can 'Split' them, placing a second bet to separate them into two entirely independent hands.

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.