What is an Ace Worth in Blackjack?

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APR 09

 

Understanding the value of the Ace is essential to becoming a successful Blackjack player, and in this post, we will know what does ace mean in blackjack and how to use it effectively. Whether you're a seasoned player looking to brush up on your skills or a newcomer to the game, this post will provide valuable insights and tips that can help you improve your game and increase your chances of success.

What is an Ace Worth in Blackjack?

In the classic casino game of Blackjack, Aces are considered to be one of the most valuable cards in the deck. However, unlike other cards, Aces can hold a value of either 1 or 11, depending on the player's strategy and the cards they are holding.

So, the basic answer to what is the ace worth in blackjack is 11, which makes it a powerful card to have in your hand. In fact, a hand that contains an Ace and any card with a value of 10 (such as a King, Queen, or Jack) is known as a "Blackjack" or "natural" and is considered the best possible hand in the game.

However, the value of an Ace may change over the course of the game, depending on the player's hand. If a player's hand contains an Ace, which is counted as 11, would cause his hand to exceed 21 (this is called "boosting"), the value of the Ace is reduced to 1 so that the player does not lose the game. You might be interested in other card values, and to prevent questions like "What does joker mean in blackjack?", we've prepared a helpful chart:

Card Rank Cards Value
1-10 Face Value
Ace 1, or 11
Joker 10
King 10
Queen 10

Strategies for Using Aces in Blackjack

Don’t rely solely on your luck when playing Blackjack, this game requires your skill as well.  Aces are the most powerful cards in the game and can be used to your advantage when you know how many points is an ace in blackjack and what strategy to use. Here are some strategies for using aces in blackjack:

  1. Always split a pair of aces. When you are dealt a pair of aces, it is always best to split them into two separate hands. This gives you two opportunities to get a natural blackjack (an ace and a ten-value card) which pays out 3:2. However, if you receive another ace after splitting, some casinos will only allow you to take one additional card per hand.
  2. Use an ace as a soft hand. This hand contains an ace that can be counted as 11 or 1. For example, an ace and a 6 can be counted as either 7 or 17. Always use an ace as a soft hand when possible to increase your chances of winning.
  3. Double down with an ace. When your first two cards include an ace, you can double down on your bet. This means you can double your original bet in exchange for one more card. This is a good strategy when the dealer has a weak-up card (2-6) and you have a soft hand.

Keep in mind that blackjack is a game of chance, but there are certain probabilities you should be aware of if you decided to play blackjack.

  1-deck game 2-deck game
Natural blackjack 1.20663% 1.19492%
Blackjack from the first 2 cards 4.82654% 4.77968%
20 points from the first 2 cards 10.25641% 10.45556%
19 points from the first 2 cards 6.03318% 5.97460%
18 points from the first 2 cards 6.48567% 6.4973%
17 points from the first 2 cards 7.23981%

7.16952%

Remember that aces can be both your friend and your foe in blackjack. Use them wisely to increase your chances of winning and to have a more enjoyable gaming experience.