Understanding how card values work in blackjack makes the game much easier to follow. Hand values sit at the centre of every choice, from taking another card to deciding when it might be best to stick.
This guide walks through the basics of card points, how totals are calculated, and the special role of aces. If you want to learn how blackjack hands are read at UK tables, you’re in the right place.
What Are Blackjack Card Values?
Blackjack uses the standard 52-card deck, with each card assigned a point value that you add together to form your hand total.
Number cards from 2 to 10 are worth the number shown. Picture cards (jack, queen, king) are each worth 10. The ace is special and can count as either 1 or 11, depending on which total might help your hand without going over 21. For example, an ace and a 7 can be 8 or 18.
The aim in standard UK blackjack is to try and beat the dealer by reaching a hand total as close to 21 as possible, without passing it. Rules can differ by variant, so it is sensible to read the table rules before you play.
Blackjack Hand Values Explained
Once you know what each card is worth, the next step is simply adding them together to get your hand value. At the start of a round, the player and the dealer each receive two cards, and you total your hand using the values above.
A “natural blackjack” is a two-card 21 made with an ace and any 10-point card. For instance, an ace with a king gives you 21 straight away.
If your total passes 21, the hand goes “bust” and the round ends for you. A hand of 9, 5 and 8 totals 22, which is over the limit.
Hands are also described as “soft” or “hard.” A soft hand contains an ace counted as 11, such as ace and 6 (soft 17). If the ace must be counted as 1 or there is no ace at all, the hand is hard. These labels matter because they show how flexible your total is if another card is drawn.
How Are Aces Counted In Blackjack?
Aces switch between 1 and 11 to give you the best valid total. If you hold an ace and a 6, you have a soft 17. That is a soft hand, because the ace currently counts as 11, but could drop to 1 if another card would otherwise take you over 21.
If more cards arrive and counting the ace as 11 would lead to a bust, the ace drops to 1 automatically. For example, ace, 6 and 8 becomes 15 rather than 25.
Common Hand Value Examples
Understanding how “soft” and “hard” hands play out in real totals can help make the flow of the game much clearer. These examples show how the ace’s flexibility changes what your numbers mean.
Soft Hands Explained
A soft hand contains an ace counted as 1 or 11, which gives you room to take an extra card without immediately risking a bust if the ace can switch to 1.
Ace and 6 is known as soft 17. It can function as 17, but if you draw another card the ace can move to 1 and the total can be recalculated.
With ace, 6 and 3, the hand can be treated as either 20 (11 + 6 + 3) or as 10 (1 + 6 + 3).
Hard Hands Explained
A hard hand either has no ace or has an ace that must count as 1. There is less flexibility because the total cannot be adjusted upwards by switching the ace’s value.
A hand of 10 and 8 is a hard 18; there is no ace to adjust. If you hold an ace, a 6 and a king, the ace must be 1, so the total is a hard 17.
These labels can help you read the strength of a total and how much space there is before reaching 21.
What Happens When Your Hand Goes Over 21?
The target is to reach 21 or as close as possible without passing it. If your total exceeds 21, you go bust and your hand ends immediately. Any stake on that hand is settled at that point. For example, 9, 7 and 6 makes 22, which is over the limit.
The round carries on for the dealer and any other players still in, but your participation in that hand is finished whether or not the dealer later busts.
How Do Splits and Double Downs Affect Hand Values?
Splitting turns a pair into two separate hands. If you are dealt two sevens, you can split them, place a second stake for the new hand, and then play each seven with its own cards. Each hand is valued on its own, so one might finish as 17 while the other could end up as, say, 20, depending on the cards that follow.
A double down lets you increase your original stake and receive exactly one additional card. If your initial total is 11 and you double down, drawing a 10 makes the hand 21. If you draw a 3 instead, the hand settles as 14 and you do not receive any more cards.
Understanding how these options change your totals can help you read the situation at the table and make more informed decisions. Always set limits and only bet what you can afford to lose.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.