Learning Card Values in Blackjack

Blackjack is a wonderful card game that won the respect and popularity in every scorner all over the world. The aim of the game is to beat the dealer by accumulating card total higher than his and earlier than he. And do not exceed over 21 points. The basic skill in blackjack is adding up card values. You should always know values of each card because without knowing the game is simply impossible.

Blackjack Card Values

Numbered cards from 2 to 10 are associated with their represented points marked on their face value.

The distinction between cards and their values begin on picture cards. Usually Jack, Queen, King and Ace equal 11-14 points in order of growing, but in blackjack every one of them have 10 points. However, only the Ace card has dual value among them all. Ace card in Blackjack can be either 1 or 11 depending on your hand at the moment. Its versatility is oriented by appropriate number that you need to make the best total when adding your cards up.

Due to blackjack game rules we know that the player goes busted when he exceeds his cards total over 21. If you receive an Ace as additional card and the total of your cards is close to 21 then the Ace becomes 1 and you avoid busting. If the situation is opposite and the total of your hand is far from 21 in that case your achieved Ace will gain the value of 11 and you'll get your winning totals.

A card hand with Ace counted as 1 or without Ace at all is called the Hard Hand. A hand with an Ace valued as 11 is called the Soft Hand.

Hard and Soft Hands

Let's have a good look how "Hard" and "Soft" hands totals are counting when the ace is in the game. Imagine that you receive Ace and nine within two first cards. It makes alone a soft 20 points. Soft Hand means that if you'd like to get another card (Hit) - there will be no risk of exceeding. Even if you decide to hit again your 20 and the additional card will be 2 or higher that will turn the hard total on to prevent busting and the value of the Ace will be counted as 1 again.

Another situation. If you get an Ace and a five - your total is 15. Suddenly you hit 4 and your new total becomes 19, the Ace keeps its value at 11. But if you draw a 7, the total wouldn't be 22. The Ace will be valued as 1 and your new total is 13.

Summary

Basically blackjack card values are easy. Suits are ignoring, all numbered cards are counted as they are and each face card equals 10. The Ace card plays tricky Hard and Soft Hands in order how they appeared in deals. If the Ace card's value retains to 11, then the total is called the Soft Hand. And if the hit transforms Ace to 1 point, then we might call the situation the Hard Hand.