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.

Decoding the Card Values

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.

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
How to Play Your Blackjack Hand

If you want the dealer to give you another card to improve your total, you tap the table to indicate a 'Hit'.


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

Advanced ActionThe Financial RiskThe Strategic RewardDouble DownRequires doubling your initial betMaximizes profit when the dealer shows a weak 'bust' card (like a 5 or 6)SplitRequires a second equal betTurns a terrible hand (like two 8s equaling 16) into two decent starting hands

Once you understand how the hands are scored, you can begin memorizing the mathematical charts that tell you exactly when to hit or stand.