How Much is a Queen in Blackjack?: Understanding Blackjack Card Values
How Much is a Queen in Blackjack: What You’ll Learn
- The Queen card in Blackjack is valued at 10, similar to the 10, Jack, and King cards.
- There are different variations of Blackjack, such as European Blackjack and Blackjack Switch, each with distinct rules and gameplay styles.
- Standard Blackjack decks contain 52 cards, and casinos typically use between 1 to 6 decks per game.
- Strategy cards can be used in many casinos to help players make informed decisions, often available for purchase in casino gift shops.
- Side bets, like “Lucky Ladies” and Rummy, offer additional opportunities to win, depending on the initial cards dealt, including the presence of a Queen.
How much is a queen in Blackjack? Do values of the cards change? Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games because it’s simple to learn and its basic strategy is fairly simple. This guide is going to go through the different card values, a few strategies and even some common pitfalls when counting the card values.
Let’s start with the Blackjack basics:
The goal of the game is to get as strategically close to 21 as possible without going over. If you Hit (ask for another card) and you exceed 21, you bust (or lose). The dealer has their own set of rules as well, such as they must Hit until their hand’s value exceeds 17.
The player can Stand whenever they choose and often do so in hopes the dealer Hits and receives a “bust card” – a card that makes their hand’s value exceed 21.
A Push is when the player and the dealer’s hand’s value are the same. A Push, or tie, means the player won’t win or lose money, but keep their wager.
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Understanding the Basic Card Values
The card values in Blackjack are relatively easy to remember. The value of number cards between 2-10 are equal to that value. Simply, if you are dealt a 2 and a 4, your hand’s value is 6.
Face cards are Kings, Queens and Jacks. Each one of these has a value of 10.
Finally, the Ace card can have two values depending on the second card. An Ace is valued at either 1 or 11.
What card equals 21?
There isn’t a single card that will give a player 21. If the dealer deals you a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen or King) and the second card is an Ace, that’s considered a natural Blackjack. Unless stated, this is an automatic winner and it likely pays better than 1:1, which is what a win pays out.
Depending on the casino and the Blackjack table, a Blackjack will either pay 6:5 or 3:2.
Based on a $10 bet:
- 6:5 Blackjack payout would be $12
- 3:2 Blackjack payout would be $15
When a Blackjack pays 6:5 instead of 3:2, the house edge increases by about 1.4%. Also, the only time a Blackjack isn’t an automatic winner is if the dealer also has a Blackjack.
If you don’t have Blackjack, you can still get to 21 by hitting but it is not an automatic win.
The Dual Nature of Aces
An Ace can be valued at 1 or 11. Let’s look at different scenarios and when the Ace’s value changes.
- Ace + 10 (10, King, Queen or Ace) – This is a Blackjack.
- Ace + Ace-9 – One Ace will be worth 11 and the second card will be valued as 1-9, respectively. Ace + Ace = 12, Ace + 2 = 13, etc.
- Ace + 7-9 – For basic strategy, it’s best to Stand if you get this hand. For example, an Ace-7 hand equals 18 and that’s considered good enough to Stand.
- Ace + 6 – This is considered a Soft 17. Depending on the dealer’s hand, you may choose to either Hit or Stand
- Ace + Ace-5 – In general, you want to Hit this hand.
If your Ace is valued at 11 and you Hit, and your hand exceeds 21, that Ace will automatically be valued at 1 to avoid busting.
For example:
- Ace (11) + 3 = 14
- Hit and get dealt a 9
- Ace (1) + 3 + 9 = 13
If you have 2 Aces, Hit and get dealt a 10, your Aces will be worth 1: Ace + Ace + 10 = 12
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Soft vs. Hard Hand Values
A soft hand means that your Ace is worth 11 and Hitting might change the value to 1, if necessary, to avoid a bust.
A hard hand is either a hand without an Ace (for example Queen + 9) or an Ace that must be worth 1.
Doubling Down Explained
Doubling Down is a way a player can double their original wager in an attempt to receive a higher payout. Players tend to take advantage of this when their first two cards equal 10 or 11. Because there’s a high chance any given card coming out of the shoe will have 10 value, this puts the player in an ideal spot to have a high hand value against the dealer.
Here are some things to know about Doubling Down:
- You only receive 1 card after you Double Down
- There is a risk of getting dealt a low card and not being able to Hit again
- The percentage of cards with a value of 10 in a standard 52 deck is about 30%
- Some Blackjack tables will allow you to “Double for Less.” For example, if you wagered $10 you can “Double for Less” for $5.
The Strategy of Splitting Pairs
When you receive your initial two cards and the value of both individual cards are the same (Pair of 4s or Pair of 8s, for example) you’ll have the option of Splitting the pair. You must place a second bet of equal value to Split. Once you Split the cards, each one becomes part of their own individual hand.
- Most people Split Aces because their combined value would be 12 and Splitting them would give you two options to get 21.
- Most people also Split 8s because two 8s equals 16 which is not a good hand. However, if you Split 8s and get dealt a 10 valued card on each then you have 18s, which is a decent hand to go against the dealer.
- It’s a general rule to never split 10s.
Blackjack Insurance and Surrender
Although rarely used, insurance and surrender are two options players have at most Blackjack tables.
What is insurance in Blackjack? If the dealer has an Ace upcard, the player can bet half their original wager that they have a Blackjack. If the dealer does have a Blackjack, the player wins the insurance bet. If the dealer does not have a Blackjack, the player loses the insurance.
What is surrender in Blackjack? If you believe your hand is unwinnable against the dealer, you can surrender your hand and get half your wager back. If the dealer has a 10-valued upcard and you have 16, you might consider surrendering due to the likelihood of losing.
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Common Pitfalls in Card Value Calculation
One of the most common pitfalls players encounter in blackjack is misunderstanding the value of face cards, such as the queen, and other cards. This can lead to poor decision-making and ultimately, a loss.
Misunderstanding Total Hand Values
Reading a Blackjack hand is simple math. But even the most experienced players can incorrectly add up their hand’s value – I’ve even seen dealers make this mistake as well. Although rare, it’s still important to double check your work and make sure you’re adding the cards correctly.
It’s not uncommon for a player to Hit 2 or 3 times, especially if they keep getting low value cards so make sure you take the time to add up the value of your hand. Having a three-card hand or higher can make adding tricky especially amid the pressure of being at a casino and others watching your next moves.
Correctly Interpreting Ace Values
Imagine being dealt a 4 and a 5. You Hit and get an Ace. You incorrectly read that as 10 so you Hit again. If you make the signal to Hit, the dealer will give you another card. But that Ace was actually worth 11, not 1 and you had 20 – a great hand to Stand on.
Make sure you’re taking the time to interpret the Ace’s value so you know the true value of your hand.
Enhancing Gameplay Through Card Value Mastery
Blackjack is all about making the optimal decisions for your hand based on the dealer’s upcard. Knowing the value of your hand and the likelihood of the value of the next card to be dealt will help you master the game.
A basic strategy chart provides a solid foundation in knowing when to Hit, Stand, Double Down or Split. Paying attention to the cards that have been played, or being a card counter if you learn the strategy, can increase your odds of winning.
A basic Blackjack strategy will lower the house edge to below 0.5% making it one of the best card games to play in both a land-based casino or online casino.
Impact on Tactical Decisions in Blackjack
The best strategies in Blackjack can reduce the house edge, however, Blackjack is a game of randomness and chance. So, even if you’re counting cards and you anticipate a 10-value card when you Hit, you may draw a 2.
Adapting to Different Game Scenarios
If you can adapt based on how other players are playing their hand and knowing which cards have previously been dealt, you’ll have a better chance at success. For instance, if you’ve seen a lot of high value cards, you might be less willing to Double Down, especially if you’re playing at a single deck table.
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Exploring Game Variations and Platforms
A land-based casino might be limited on variations whereas online casinos will offer several Blackjack variations. Let’s explore some of those now.
- Blackjack: This is your standard Blackjack game with no additional rules or variations
- Spanish 21: The Spanish 21 variation uses 48 cards in its deck versus 52. The four 10s are removed, which lower the chances of getting Blackjack. However, if you get 21 (Blackjack or by Hitting), you win even if the Dealer has 21. You can also Double Down at any time and there tends to be bonuses paid if you have a 5-card hand.
- European Blackjack: This variation uses only two decks and the dealer deals themselves 1 face up card at the beginning, not 1 upcard and 1 down-card. Because the game only uses two decks, players can better track which cards have been played.
- Blackjack Switch: When a player plays two separate hands simultaneously, they have the option of switching their two top cards if they can create a better set of hands.
FAQs
How Many Cards Are in a Casino Blackjack Deck?
A standard Blackjack deck will have 52 cards.
How Many Decks Do Casinos Use for Blackjack?
Depending on the Blackjack table, a casino will use between 1-to-6 decks. The rules and payouts may differ depending on the decks, so make sure you understand them before putting down your chips.
Are Blackjack Strategy Cards Allowed in Casinos?
It depends on the casino but many will allow the strategy cards because the house will still maintain a house edge. In fact, many casino gift shops sell strategy cards.
What is Free Bet Blackjack?
Free Bet Blackjack is a variation of Blackjack that allows players to Double Down or Split one time on a hand for free.
What is Rummy in Blackjack?
Rummy in Blackjack is a type of side bet a player can place before the start of the hand. The player wins if their first two cards and the dealer’s upcard create a Rummy hand.
How much is a Queen in Blackjack?
A Queen is valued as 10 in Blackjack, similar to the 10, Jack and King. The only time a Queen would have a different value would be in regards to side bets placed before the hand. Often called “Lucky Ladies,” you can often win a side bet depending on whether you’re dealt a Queen as part of your hand.
Navigating Blackjack: Card Values and Their Implications
Now that you understand the card values in Blackjack and what they mean when playing the game, you’ll be better prepared to head to the tables and start enjoying playing this popular casino game.
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