Ace Value In Blackjack

In blackjack, an Ace is equivalent to 1 or 11; that is why it is one of the most sought-after cards by players. Find out why you should never let an Ace card go to waste in any blackjack game.

Blackjack is a widely played casino card game, thanks to its low house edge and an immersive gaming experience. There are many blackjack games you can find online and land-based casinos. Unlike slots and roulette, players can apply strategies to maximize winning opportunities in blackjack. In a standard blackjack game, you play with 1 to 8, 52-deck cards, and there are different moves you can make after the cards are dealt. Ace is among the most sought-after by expert players out of all cards. The unique thing with the Ace card is that it can take the value of 1 or 11. Moreover, you cannot get a blackjack without the presence of an Ace card. This article covers all the relevant information you should know about the ace card and its significance in blackjack.

How To Play An Ace Card

As earlier mentioned, players can decide to play an Ace card as 1 or 11. The first thing when playing an ace is keeping an eye on the dealer's up card. If you see that the dealer's starting cards are 4, 5, or 6, it means he is more likely to bust.

This is the best time to raise your stakes. If you have an A-6, you should not stand on the 17; instead, double down on 7. In this case, you have a high chance of getting a ten or bigger number that will give you 17 or closer. The good thing is that you have twice the money of your stake. Players can use the blackjack ace to profit more by determining the dealer's upcard.

Splitting Aces In Blackjack

Having two aces in blackjack is excellent because it gives a player a value of 2 or soft 12. However, this hand should be played with caution as it can be problematic in the long run. Pro blackjack players recommend splitting if they have two aces. Since an ace is the most powerful card in a deck, splitting it gives two chances of hitting blackjack.

With a deck having more cards worth 10 than any other card distribution, players have a probability of beating the dealer and winning. Splitting your double aces in blackjack allows you to add one card to each ace. As such, you must bet the same value as the original wager on the second hand. After splitting aces, if the next card that is dealt is a 10 it will not be a natural blackjack. The good thing is it allows you for a bonus on your bets.

Re-Splitting Aces In Blackjack

If a player is dealt another pair of aces after they have split once, it is recommended to consider them as the first pair and re-split. Nevertheless, the player must triple the initial stake when re-splitting an ace. Players must understand that the rules of re-splitting aces may vary depending on the game and casino.

Blackjack Rules On Splitting Aces

Online casinos impose different rules when it comes to splitting aces in blackjack. These rules may vary from one casino to the next. Some of the rules you are most likely to come across are:

  • No Splitting Aces: Some casinos don't allow players to split aces because it reduces the house edge to about 0.18%. You should avoid such casinos because the chances of winning are limited.
  • Hitting the Split Aces: When you hit the split aces in multi-deck blackjack, it brings the house edge down to 0.19%. Therefore, most casinos limit players from drawing more cards as it gives them a bigger advantage.
  • Discarding a Split Ace: Many casinos are not in favor of this rule, but if it is allowed, the split hands will be played as normal.
  • A 10-Value Card Drawn to a Split Ace: A ten-value card drawn to a split ace is not a blackjack but a regular total of 21. In such a case, players receive even money instead of being paid at odds of 3:2. This would cause the casino's advantage to drop by 0.21%.

Conclusion

The secret to being a consistent winner in blackjack is learning how to play every hand. Blackjack strategies do not guarantee 100% chances of winning. The ace is only one type of hand we have shared; you should take time to learn other combinations and the possible final scores. The good thing about blackjack is you don't rely on luck only as you can apply basic strategy to win more. Overall, an ace card is a highly valuable hand, no wonder many casinos have set many limits to it.

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