Blackjack Card Values, Basics and More!

If you’ve had enough fun with our bingo community and want to try something new, why not take a dive into the world of online blackjack? It might seem daunting, or it might even seem overly simple, but one thing’s for sure: Blackjack has a lot more going for it than just random luck and big jackpots. 

Read this guide, and come over to the Classic Games section with confidence! 

Online Blackjack isn’t just a math major’s game, and anyone can understand blackjack card values with a little bit of studying (and a few low-stakes warm-up games). 

Blackjack Card Values

Understanding values and your chances of getting as close to 21 as possible is crucial to winning online blackjack. Here’s a quick reference guide to better understand which cards in Blackjack are the most valuable and how Aces change in value:

Numbers (2-10): These count as their face value. So, a 10 is worth 10 and an 2 is worth 2.
Face Cards (Jack, Queen, King): These royal faces all count as 10. There is no need to remember different values for each; easy enough, right?
The Ace: Now, this card can be your best friend or your worst enemy because he can be worth either 1 or 11! The Ace is worth 11, giving you the highest possible hand total unless your other cards are high enough in value to make your hand bust (go over 21). So, you can opt to demote the Ace to a 1 instead. 

How To Get the Best Blackjack Hand 

In this section, we cover hand totals, which refer to your score after adding up the value of your cards.

The jackpot of all possible combinations? If your first two cards add up to 21 (think Ace + 10 or Queen + Ace), you hit blackjack and instantly win – at least unless the dealer also has blackjack, a scenario in which nobody wins the round.

Hand Types:

• Hard Hand: No Ace or your Ace has to be a 1 (because adding 11 would bust). Think of it as a tough hand that needs careful choices.
• Soft Hand: You've got an Ace worth 11, and you can draw more cards without the risk of busting. You’re pretty safe with a soft hand, so feel free to hit with confidence. 

Splitting:
Got two of the same card? You can split them into two separate hands and play them both! This can be a fun way to double your chances of winning but remember; it also doubles your bet.

When you consider splitting, don’t forget the blackjack card values: 

• Face cards: 10 points
• Ace: 1 or 11
• Hard hand: No Ace or Ace counts as 1.
• Soft hand: Ace counts as 11 (safe to draw more cards)

When To Consider Splitting 

Whether or not to split a pair in blackjack can be a tricky decision, but with the right knowledge, you can make informed choices that improve your chances of winning. 

Consider the specific pair you have… and keep these general rules of thumb in mind:

• Always split Aces and 8’s. This gives you two independent chances to make a strong hand, and the odds are in your favour compared to hitting or standing.
• Consider splitting 10’s. This doubles your potential payout, but be cautious – you'll need good luck to draw strong cards for both hands.
• Generally don't split 5’s and 6’s. These pairs already have a decent chance of winning when hit, and splitting them increases the risk of drawing low cards on both hands.
• For other pairs, consider the dealer's up card. If the dealer shows a low card (2-6), splitting some pairs like sevens or nines can be advantageous. If the dealer shows a high card (7-Ace), it's usually better to stick with your original hand.

Consult a basic blackjack strategy chart. These charts show the optimal play for all possible pairs and dealer-up cards based on statistical analysis.

Tip: Splitting doubles your bet. Make sure you're comfortable with the increased risk before splitting.

Tip: Check into card counting. Once you’re ready to hit the Classic Games section of Bingo Village (or a land-based casino) try and use card counting techniques to get the upper hand by tracking the remaining cards in the deck.

Card Sharks Know Their Deck

First things first… instill in your memory all of the blackjack card values. Play a few games online for fun. Seriously! Your goal is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. It sounds simple, but there’s a lot of strategy involved. Think of it like an escape room, where every card is a step towards the big exit. You get dealt two cards, then decide to "hit" (take another card) or "stand" (stick with what you got). But beware the dreaded "bust" - going over 21 means instant game over.

A Dealer’s Blackjack Card Value Dictates Their Every Move

Dealers in Blackjack can become predictable if you know how their card values precede their move. Rules are that blackjack dealers must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more. 

Tip: When dealers have a soft 17 (an ace that can be either 11 or 1), they still have to hit! That's your chance to pounce, knowing their hand might bust.

After you’ve reviewed a blackjack card values and have played some games to get a feel for the flow of it, here’s a list of blackjack terms to keep in mind:

Blackjack Key Terms

• Standing: No more cards, thanks! I’m good.
• Hitting! Let’s have another! I know the deck is hiding some secret winners.
• Busting: Ah, well… I went over 21. All’s fair in love and war, better luck next time!
• Doubling Down: I’m feeling lucky. Let’s double the bet, deal me another card and High stakes, high rewards!
• Splitting: Got two of the same card? Turn them into separate hands for a chance to play an extra round for extra cash.
• Insurance: Feeling anxious about your dealer's hand? An insurance side bet lets you hedge your losses in the event the dealer scores a blackjack.

Blackjack Key Terms

Standing: No more cards, thanks! I’m good.
Hitting! Let’s have another! I know the deck is hiding some secret winners.
Busting: Ah, well… I went over 21. All’s fair in love and war, better luck next time!
Doubling Down: I’m feeling lucky. Let’s double the bet, deal me another card and High stakes, high rewards!
Splitting: Got two of the same card? Turn them into separate hands for a chance to play an extra round for extra cash.
Insurance: Feeling anxious about your dealer's hand? An insurance side bet lets you hedge your losses in the event the dealer scores a blackjack.