What Is an Ace in Blackjack?

BetMGM Oct 18, 2024, 9:40 PM
min read
An ace of hearts, and an ace of spades placed on top of eachother, on a blue table.

Blackjack is a popular game because the barrier to entry for new players is low. The rules are simple, including the role of each card in the deck in the game.

Number cards are worth their face value, and face cards are worth 10. An ace card in your hand is unique, though, as you have some control over its role.

Ace Card Value Depends on Your Hand

In traditional blackjack games, an ace can be worth one or 11. That depends on the value of the other cards in your hand.

For example, if the other cards in your hand add up to 10, your ace becomes an 11 to give you a blackjack. On the other hand, if you otherwise have cards that add up to 18, your ace is a one, giving you a respectable total of 19.

Some blackjack game variants will contain a twist on the rules for ace cards. That’s another reason to check the rules of a game before you buy in.

Variants on the Ace Card Rules in Blackjack

When pondering how to play your aces in blackjack, the primary considerations are how many of them you have and any rule variations in the specific game you are playing. In a standard game, for example, if you get a pair of aces, you’ll usually want to split them to increase your winning potential.

Some versions of the game will give a special bonus for a natural blackjack (two cards that add up to 21, an ace and a 10-value card), so you’ll especially want to try for that if you get an ace as your first card. Either way, you always want to play the probabilities in blackjack.

An ace is usually a welcome sight in any blackjack game. Knowing its role in the game can help you avoid wasting it. 

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