In blackjack, the player wins a round by finishing closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. This is why knowing exactly how each card is valued is crucial for strategic gameplay when playing blackjack online casino games.
This guide explains the core rules of card values when playing online blackjack in Canada. It briefly touches on the basic rules of the game, and then dives into card values in blackjack, while also exploring soft vs. hard blackjack hands, naturals, and other aspects of the game, so players can understand how to play blackjack online.
The Basic Rules of Blackjack
The aim of blackjack is to finish closer to 21 than the dealer without going over (also known as busting). While the game may have more than one player, each round is a one-on-one comparison with the dealer, not any other players in the game.
The game follows these basic steps:
- Initial deal: After bets are placed, the player receives two cards, and the dealer receives two cards. The first of the dealer’s cards is dealt face up, and the second, the “hole” card, is dealt face down.
- Player actions: On their turn, the player may hit (take a card) or stand (take no more cards). Depending on the table rules, the player may also double down (increase the bet and take exactly one card) or split pairs into two hands.
- Dealer actions: After all players act, the dealer reveals the hole card and draws until reaching a total of 17 or more.
- Naturals: A two-card 21 (ace and any 10-value card) is a natural blackjack. This hand will beat all other hands, except another natural blackjack.
- Pushes: If the player and dealer end with the same total, the hand is a push, and the stake is returned.
If any of these terms are unfamiliar, players can review this guide to blackjack terminology to ensure they have a proper understanding of the game.
Blackjack Strategy Basics: How Cards Are Valued in Blackjack
With the basic blackjack rules explained, here’s how cards are valued in the majority of blackjack games:
- Number cards (2–10): Count at face value.
- Face cards (J, Q, K): Count as 10.
- Aces: Count as 1 or 11, depending on whether the hand is above or below 21. Aces are initially valued at 11, but automatically switch to 1 if needed to prevent the player from going bust.
Soft Hands vs. Hard Hands
There are two types of hands in blackjack. These hands are the:
- Soft hand: A hand total where an ace is currently counted as 11 in the hand value, but can be counted as 1. For example, an A-6 (ace and six) is a soft hand because the ace can be counted as both a 1 and an 11.
- Hard hand: Any hand without an ace, or where the ace must be valued at 1 to avoid going bust.
The key difference between these two types of hands is that soft hands are flexible — the player can ask for one more hit because the ace can switch from an 11 to 1 as needed. Hard hands don’t have that safety net.
For example, if the player has an A-6 (a soft hand worth 7 or 17) and they hit and get a 6, the A is forced to count as a 1. The hand is now considered a hard hand with a value of 13 instead of 23 to prevent the player from going bust.
Understanding this distinction helps the player read blackjack hand values in context and make the best decisions.
Natural Blackjack
A natural blackjack (also called a “blackjack” or “natural”) is a hand worth 21 that’s made up of two cards (an ace plus any 10-value card) that the player receives on the initial deal. In many games, a natural pays 3:2, though some blackjack games pay 6:5.
Players should also note that reaching 21 after a split isn’t considered a natural blackjack, and that naturals only count for the initial hand. Pushes can still occur if both the player and the dealer have a natural.
Pushes and Other Hand Rules
A push is any tie between the value of the player’s hand and the value of the dealer’s hand. In this situation, the player’s stake is returned. Matching hand values can occur with any hand, including both the player and the dealer having blackjack on the initial deal.
Beyond ties, there are sometimes other rules that could affect how a hand is played, such as whether late surrender is offered, or how split aces are handled. These can affect how the player should read and act to a hand total. It’s important that a player check what additional rules are active before starting a game so they can apply their chosen blackjack strategy and the basics of the game with confidence.
How Blackjack Hand Values Affect the Dealer
The player isn’t the only one who has to follow specific rules around hand value. The dealer also has specific rules that apply only to them.
Here are a couple of rules that could affect how the dealer plays:
- Dealer must draw to 16 and stand on 17 or more: This is a rule that applies to the dealer in most games of blackjack.
- Soft 17: Depending on the online blackjack game or online casino, the dealer may be required to stand or hit. In some games, the dealer must hit on soft 17 (a total of 17 that includes an ace counted as 11), while in others, they must stand.
