How To Play Your Aces In Blackjack
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It doesn’t matter if you play blackjack in a casino, if you play online blackjack, or if you’ve never played blackjack before, there are a number of key things you need to know if you’re going to have success.
One of the most important things you need to know is how to play your aces in blackjack. The aces are powerful cards players should use wisely. When used correctly, they give players a better chance of getting 21.
However, there are certain rules players have to follow. These rules govern how players can use their aces in blackjack. If you’re unsure how to use your aces in blackjack, you’ve come to the right place!
In this short guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about playing your aces in blackjack, so you’re prepared to take on the dealer.
What Is An Ace In Blackjack?
First of all, let’s look at what an ace in blackjack is. Similar to poker, an ace in blackjack is an extremely important card. This is because it gives players a much better chance of reaching 21.
In fact, holding an ace makes reaching 21 much easier. Like other card games, the ace in blackjack can be worth two different numbers. Those numbers are 1 and 11. How the player uses the card is up to them.
If you have an ace in your initial hand, you have two ways of using it. For example, if you have an 8 and an ace, you can play a 9 or a 19. If you decide to play a 19, this would be referred to as a soft 19.
How To Play Your Aces In Blackjack?
Now you know what an ace in blackjack is, we can start looking at how you go about using it. As we mentioned above, if you have an ace, you can play it as a 1 or an 11. Whilst both numbers can be beneficial, most people choose to play their ace as an 11.
The reason for this is pretty simple. An 11 gives you a much better chance of reaching 21. Having said that, you shouldn’t play an ace as an 11 if you run the chance of going bust.
One of the great things about an ace is that its value can change as you play. For example, if your hand consists of an ace and a 7, your hand is worth 8 or a soft 18. If you then receive a card with a value of 3 or higher, the ace will automatically become a 1 as you would otherwise go bust.
The best outcome you can hope for is that you draw an ace and a face card as this will equal 21.
How Do You Play Two Aces In Blackjack?
So, what happens if you have two aces you need to play? Well, putting it simply, your hand has a value of 2 or 12. Both of these scenarios are potentially quite problematic so you should play with caution if you end up in this situation.
If you have 2 aces, experts recommend that you should split. The reason for this is that the aces are the most powerful cards in blackjack. Splitting is a neat method that gives you two chances of hitting a blackjack.
As you can imagine, this gives you a better probability of winning. All you have to do to potentially beat the dealer is draw a card with a value of 10, which there are more of than any other card.
What Is A Split In Blackjack?
For those that don’t know, let us explain what a split in blackjack is. A split in blackjack is a method players can use to increase their probability of winning. It can be used when you hold two cards of the same value. It doesn’t matter if you have 2 aces or 2 eights, you can still split them.
When splitting, you split your hand into two separate hands. These hands are essentially now two different hands. They both offer you one chance of beating the dealer.
One of the most important rules to remember when splitting in blackjack is that you can only add one extra card to each hand. This is the biggest reason most players only play a split when they have 2 aces.
Can You Split Your Aces Twice?
Generally speaking, players are only allowed to split their aces once. However, there are some online casinos and land-based casinos that allow blackjack players to split their aces twice. You would have to check with the casino’s specific rules before doing so.
What Happens If The Dealer Draws Two Aces?
The rules are slightly different for the dealer. No matter what, their first ace will always be worth 11. Therefore, their second ace has to be worth 1 as they would go bust if it counted as 11.
In Conclusion
In blackjack, aces can be worth 1 or 11. This makes the aces the most powerful cards in blackjack. How you decide to play your aces depends on the value of your hand. If you have 2 aces, you can choose to play with a 2 or 12, or even split them to give yourself a better chance of beating the dealer.
Now you know how to play your aces in blackjack, it’s time to take on the dealer.
- As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
- Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976
- Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
- Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
- Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
- This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.
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