How Much is an Ace in Blackjack?
When you play blackjack, the ace is an extremely powerful card. It can make your hand worth 21 points if it’s combined with a ten-card or face card, and it can also help you beat the dealer if your starting cards are weak. However, like all casino cards, the ace is subject to some rules that regulate how it’s used in the game. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different ways you can use an ace in blackjack and what the different rules say about how much it is worth.
When a player is dealt two aces, they can split them in order to improve their chances of making a high-value blackjack hand. This is a good option, but there are some important rules that players must remember when doing so. The first thing to note is that a split ace only counts as one, not 11, no matter how many other cards you have in your hand. The second thing to note is that you cannot double down with a split ace, but you can hit or stand as normal.
A pair of aces is usually a good hand to hold in blackjack. The aces themselves are worth 1 each, and you’ll have a better chance of hitting a blackjack than you would with a hand that only has one ace (which will be worth 11 regardless of what other cards you have). The only problem with holding this hand is that you can’t hit or double down if you receive another ace, so you’ll have to work with what you have for the rest of your turn.
In addition to the basic blackjack rules, aces are often used in side wagers like the Over/Under 13 or the Over/Under 21. These side bets are based on the value of the dealer’s starting cards, and they’re offered at a different payout than the standard blackjack payout (3:2 or 6:5).
As a result, the ace is sometimes considered to be more valuable than other cards in the game when these wagers are made. It’s not uncommon to see players placing large bets on these side wagers, hoping that they can win the big prize when a dealer has a weak card.
If a dealer holds an ace, it’s generally a good idea to surrender or double down when you have an 18 or higher. This is because you’ll have a better chance of winning the side bets if you can hit or double down, and the dealer will only bust when they have an 11. However, some casinos enforce frustrating rules that prevent players from being able to double down or hit after splitting a pair of aces. Make sure you check out the blackjack rules of your favorite casino before playing!