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.


To achieve this, you must understand exactly how every single card in the deck is valued and scored.

Decoding the Card Values

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


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


Doubling down allows you to double your original bet in exchange for receiving one, and exactly one, additional card.

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+)

Mastering these basic card values and hand definitions is the absolute prerequisite to becoming a profitable blackjack player.