Blackjack card values are easy to understand once you know three basic scoring rules. Number cards from 2 through 10 are worth the number printed on them. The Jack, Queen, and King are each worth 10 points. An Ace can count as either 1 or 11, depending on which value creates the highest valid hand without taking the total above 21.
These values remain the same whether you are playing an RNG-based online blackjack game, joining a live dealer table, or playing at a physical casino. Card suits do not affect the standard blackjack hand total, meaning a 7 of hearts and a 7 of clubs are both worth 7 points.
This guide explains the complete blackjack card value chart, how to count blackjack cards, how multiple Aces work, the difference between soft and hard hands, and what qualifies as a natural blackjack.
Quick Blackjack Card Value Chart
The following blackjack card value chart shows the value of every card used in a standard game:
| Card | Blackjack Value |
| Ace | 1 or 11 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 6 | 6 |
| 7 | 7 |
| 8 | 8 |
| 9 | 9 |
| 10 | 10 |
| Jack | 10 |
| Queen | 10 |
| King | 10 |
The blackjack point values do not change according to suit. Hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades are equal when calculating the main hand total.
Jokers are not normally used in blackjack. A standard game uses one or more regular 52-card decks containing Aces, number cards and face cards.
The Ace is the only card whose value can change during a hand. It may count as 11 when the total remains at or below 21, but it changes to 1 when using 11 would cause the hand to bust.
How Blackjack Card Values Work
Understanding card values in blackjack starts with three groups: number cards, face cards, and Aces.
Number Cards From 2 to 10
Number cards keep their printed value throughout the game. No special calculation is required.
For example:
- A 4 and a 5 make a total of 9.
- A 7 and a 9 make a total of 16.
- An 8 and a 10 make a total of 18.
- A 6, 5, and 9 make a total of 20.
The value of a number card does not change based on the other cards in the hand.
Face Card Values in Blackjack
The Jack, Queen, and King are known as face cards. Each face card is worth 10 points.
A King is not worth more than a Queen, and a Queen is not worth more than a Jack. Although these cards have different ranks in some other card games, their blackjack card values are identical.
A standard 52-card deck contains 16 cards worth 10 points:
- Four 10s
- Four Jacks
- Four Queens
- Four Kings
This means ten-value cards appear more frequently than any other individual blackjack card value in a standard deck.
Do Card Suits Affect the Value?
Card suits do not change the value of a blackjack hand. A King of spades and a King of diamonds are both worth 10 points. An Ace of hearts and an Ace of clubs can both count as either 1 or 11.
The main objective is to calculate the combined point total rather than create a particular suit. Suits may affect certain optional side bets or specialty variations, but they do not change hand totals under standard blackjack rules.
What Is the Ace Value in Blackjack?
The Ace value in blackjack can be either 1 or 11. It is normally counted as 11 when doing so keeps the total at 21 or below. If counting it as 11 would take the hand above 21, it is counted as 1 instead.
This flexible value is why Aces create soft hands and why beginners sometimes find blackjack hand calculations confusing.
When an Ace Counts as 11
An Ace counts as 11 when that value creates a valid hand without exceeding 21.
Examples include:
- Ace + 6 = soft 17
- Ace + 7 = soft 18
- Ace + 8 = soft 19
- Ace + 9 = 20
- Ace + King = 21
In each example, counting the Ace as 11 produces a valid blackjack hand total.
When an Ace Counts as 1
If using 11 would cause the hand to exceed 21, the Ace is counted as 1.
Examples include:
- Ace + 7 + 10 = 18, not 28
- Ace + 5 + King = 16, not 26
- Ace + 9 + 5 = 15, not 25
- Ace + Queen + 8 = 19, not 29
Most online blackjack games calculate the correct Ace value automatically and display the highest valid total.
How Multiple Aces Are Counted
When a hand contains multiple Aces, begin by counting one Ace as 11 and the remaining Aces as 1. If the total still exceeds 21, the Ace counted as 11 must also be reduced to 1.
| Hand | Calculation | Final Total |
| Ace + Ace | 11 + 1 | Soft 12 |
| Ace + Ace + 8 | 11 + 1 + 8 | Soft 20 |
| Ace + Ace + 9 | 11 + 1 + 9 | 21 |
| Ace + Ace + Ace + 8 | 11 + 1 + 1 + 8 | 21 |
| Ace + Ace + 9 + King | 1 + 1 + 9 + 10 | 21 |
| Ace + Ace + King + King | 1 + 1 + 10 + 10 | 22, bust |
The final example shows that multiple Aces cannot always prevent a bust. Both Aces are already counted as 1, which is their lowest possible value.
How to Calculate a Blackjack Hand
To calculate blackjack hand values correctly, follow these four steps:
- Add the printed values of all number cards.
- Count every Jack, Queen, and King as 10.
- Count an Ace as 11 when possible.
- Change the Ace to 1 if the total would otherwise exceed 21.
Here are several blackjack hand total examples:
| Hand | Calculation | Result |
| 7 + 8 | 7 + 8 | Hard 15 |
| King + 6 | 10 + 6 | Hard 16 |
| Queen + 9 | 10 + 9 | Hard 19 |
| Ace + 8 | 11 + 8 | Soft 19 |
| Ace + 8 + 7 | 1 + 8 + 7 | Hard 16 |
| Ace + King | 11 + 10 | Natural blackjack |
| 7 + 7 + 7 | 7 + 7 + 7 | Three-card 21 |
| Ace + 3 + 7 | 11 + 3 + 7 | Three-card 21 |
| 10 + 6 + 8 | 10 + 6 + 8 | 24, bust |
A total above 21 is known as a bust. A player who busts loses the hand, even if the dealer later exceeds 21.
A three-card total of 21 is a valid hand total, but it is not considered a natural blackjack. This distinction may affect how the hand is settled and paid.
Why Blackjack Hand Values Matter
Knowing how to count blackjack cards allows players to understand the status of their hand before choosing an available action.
Your total affects whether you may consider:
- Hitting to receive another card
- Standing with the current total
- Doubling down when the option is available
- Splitting a pair into two separate hands
- Accepting or declining an optional side wager
Understanding blackjack scoring rules also helps players recognize soft hands, hard hands, natural blackjack and bust totals.
However, learning the card values does not guarantee a winning result or remove the house advantage. Blackjack still involves uncertain card draws, table rules, and chance. Card-value knowledge simply helps players calculate their hands correctly and understand the choices presented during a round.
Soft Hand vs Hard Hand in Blackjack
Soft and hard hands may have the same numerical total, but they behave differently because of how the Ace is counted.
What Is a Soft Hand?
A soft hand contains an Ace that is currently counted as 11 without taking the total above 21.
Examples include:
- Ace + 6 = soft 17
- Ace + 7 = soft 18
- Ace + 8 = soft 19
The hand is called soft because the Ace can change from 11 to 1 if another card would otherwise cause a bust.
For example, Ace + 7 is soft 18. If a 10 is added, the Ace changes to 1, and the hand remains 18 rather than becoming 28.
What Is a Hard Hand?
A hard hand contains no Ace counted as 11. The hand either has no Ace or contains an Ace that must count as 1.
Examples include:
- 10 + 7 = hard 17
- 9 + 9 = hard 18
- Ace + 6 + 10 = hard 17
- Ace + 8 + Queen = hard 19
| Hand Type | Meaning | Example |
| Soft hand | Contains an Ace counted as 11 | Ace + 7 |
| Hard hand | Contains no flexible Ace value | 10 + 8 |
| Converted hand | A soft Ace changes from 11 to 1 | Ace + 7 + 10 |
Correctly identifying soft and hard totals is important because the same numerical total may lead to different decisions during play.
What Is a Natural Blackjack?
A natural blackjack is a two-card hand consisting of:
- One Ace
- One ten-value card
The ten-value card may be a 10, Jack, Queen, or King. Both cards must be the first two cards dealt to the hand.
Examples of natural blackjack include:
- Ace + 10
- Ace + Jack
- Ace + Queen
- Ace + King
A hand that reaches 21 with three or more cards is a valid total of 21, but it is not a natural blackjack. For example, 7 + 7 + 7 equals 21 but does not qualify as a natural.
An Ace combined with a ten-value card after splitting a pair is also usually treated as an ordinary total of 21 rather than a natural blackjack. The exact treatment depends on the rules displayed for the game.
Natural blackjack commonly pays 3:2, but some tables use 6:5 or another approved payout. Players should review the applicable blackjack payout rules because payout structures can vary between tables.
Do Dealers Use Different Card Values?
Dealers use the same blackjack point values as players. Number cards keep their printed values, face cards count as 10, and an Ace counts as 1 or 11.
The difference is not in the card values but in how the hand is played. Players can normally choose whether to hit, stand, split, or double when those options are available. Dealers must follow fixed table rules.
A dealer usually continues drawing cards until reaching the required standing total. An important variation is whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. The applicable rule should be shown in the table information because it may differ between blackjack variants.
Do Card Values Change in Online Blackjack?
The basic card values in online blackjack are the same as those used at physical tables.
Number cards keep their face value, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10, and Aces remain worth either 1 or 11. This applies to both RNG blackjack and live dealer blackjack.
These standard card values also apply across RNG and live dealer blackjack games available on online gaming platforms like Hehe555.
What can change between online variants includes:
- Number of decks
- Dealer soft-17 rule
- Natural blackjack payout
- Availability of surrender
- Doubling restrictions
- Rules for split hands
- Optional side bets
- Betting limits
RNG games use software to deal and calculate hands, while live dealer games stream a real table and dealer. Players comparing the two formats can read this guide to online blackjack vs live blackjack.
Common Blackjack Card-Value Mistakes
New players frequently make the following calculation and terminology mistakes:
- Treating an Ace as permanently worth 11
- Forgetting to reduce an Ace to 1 when necessary
- Assuming the King is worth more than the Queen or Jack
- Believing card suits affect the main hand total
- Calling every total of 21 a natural blackjack
- Assuming an Ace and 10 after a split always qualifies as a natural
- Expecting every table to offer a 3:2 blackjack payout
- Confusing a soft total with a hard total
- Forgetting that dealer and player card values are identical
- Assuming card values change when more decks are used
Avoiding these errors makes the hand easier to understand, although correct calculation does not guarantee a particular result. Players can learn about other beginner errors in this guide to common online blackjack mistakes.
Blackjack Card Values Cheat Sheet
Use this quick blackjack card values cheat sheet whenever you need to calculate a hand:
- Cards 2 through 10 equal their printed value.
- Jack, Queen, and King are worth 10 each.
- An Ace is worth 1 or 11.
- Card suits do not affect the basic hand total.
- Jokers are not used in standard blackjack.
- A soft hand contains an Ace counted as 11.
- A hard hand contains no Ace counted as 11.
- A natural blackjack is an Ace and a ten-value card dealt as the first two cards.
- A three-card 21 is not a natural blackjack.
- Dealer and player cards use the same values.
- Deck count does not change individual card values.
- Payouts and playing rules can vary between tables.
Summary
Blackjack card values follow a simple scoring system. Number cards from 2 to 10 keep their printed value, all face cards are worth 10, and the Ace changes between 1 and 11 according to the hand total.
Understanding these rules makes it easier to calculate blackjack hand values, recognize soft and hard hands, identify a natural blackjack, and understand the actions available during a round. The values remain consistent across RNG games, live dealer tables, and multi-deck variants, although payouts and table rules may differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the card values in blackjack?
Cards from 2 through 10 are worth their printed values. The Jack, Queen, and King are each worth 10 points. An Ace counts as either 1 or 11, depending on which value keeps the hand at 21 or below.
Is an Ace worth 1 or 11 in blackjack?
An Ace may be worth either 1 or 11. It is counted as 11 when that creates a valid hand and as 1 when using 11 would take the total above 21.
What is a King worth in blackjack?
A King is worth 10 points. It has the same blackjack card value as a 10, Jack, or Queen.
What is a Queen worth in blackjack?
A Queen is worth 10 points. Its suit does not affect its value.
What is a Jack worth in blackjack?
A Jack is worth 10 points in both online and physical blackjack games.
How much are two Aces worth in blackjack?
Two Aces are normally worth 12. One Ace counts as 11 and the other counts as 1.
How are three Aces counted?
Three Aces initially total 13 because one counts as 11 and the other two count as 1. Their values may adjust as additional cards are added to the hand.
Is a three-card 21 considered blackjack?
No. A three-card total of 21 is a valid 21 but not a natural blackjack. A natural blackjack must consist of an Ace and a ten-value card dealt as the first two cards.
Does an Ace and King make blackjack?
Yes. An Ace and King dealt as the first two cards create a natural blackjack because the Ace counts as 11 and the King counts as 10.
Do card suits matter in blackjack?
No. Hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades have equal scoring value in standard blackjack.
Are Jokers used in blackjack?
No. Standard blackjack is normally played with one or more 52-card decks without Jokers.
Do dealers use different card values?
No. Dealers use the same card values as players. The difference is that dealers follow fixed rules for drawing and standing.
Do blackjack card values change online?
No. Online blackjack card values are the same as those at physical tables. Game variants may change the number of decks, payout structure, or dealer rules, but not the value of individual cards.
Does a split Ace and 10 count as blackjack?
Usually not. An Ace and ten-value card received after splitting generally count as an ordinary 21 rather than a natural blackjack. Players should confirm the specific table rules.
Does every natural blackjack pay 3:2?
No. Although 3:2 is a common payout, some tables offer 6:5 or another payout. The applicable rate should be shown in the game rules.
