Blackjack is the absolute crown jewel of the casino table games pit, offering the best mathematical odds for the educated player.

The fundamental objective of blackjack is incredibly simple, yet widely misunderstood by many beginners.

How Much is Each Card Worth in Blackjack?

In blackjack, the suits of the cards (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades) are completely irrelevant; only the numerical value matters.

An Ace can be counted as either 1 point or 11 points, depending entirely on which value helps your hand the most without busting.

• If your starting two cards are an Ace and any 10-point card, you have achieved a 'Blackjack' (or a Natural 21)
• A true 'Blackjack' pays out a massive bonus, usually 3-to-2 on your original bet, instead of the standard 1-to-1 even money
• If both you and the dealer receive a natural Blackjack on the exact same hand, the bet is a 'Push' (tie), and your money is returned

The Basic Player Actions: Hit, Stand, Double, Split

If you want the dealer to give you another card to improve your total, you tap the table to indicate a 'Hit'.

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

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