Card values reference
Blackjack Card Values Chart
Number cards keep their printed value, 10s and face cards count as 10, and aces count as 1 or 11. Use the visual chart below to check every card type, then compare soft totals, hard totals, and natural blackjack.
Quick reference
Every blackjack card value at a glance
Card suits do not change the value. The same chart applies to hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.
Card type
Number cards
Value
Face value
Cards 2 through 9 count as the number printed on the card.
Card type
Ten-value cards
Value
10
10s, jacks, queens, and kings all add 10 to the hand.
Card type
Ace
Value
1 or 11
The ace uses the value that gives the strongest total without making the hand bust.
Values in a hand
The same cards can create different hand types
The ace is the only card whose value can change. That flexibility separates soft hands from hard hands.
Natural blackjack
Blackjack
An ace and any ten-value card as the first two cards.
Soft total
Soft 17
The ace counts as 11, but can fall back to 1 after another card.
Hard total
Hard 16
There is no flexible ace protecting the hand from a high next card.
Important distinction
Blackjack and an ordinary 21 are not the same result
Natural blackjack
Exactly two opening cards: one ace and one 10-value card. Its payout depends on the table rules.
Ordinary 21
Any three-or-more-card total of 21, such as 7, 7, and 7. It is a strong total, but not a natural blackjack.
Clear answers
Blackjack card value questions
What is each card worth in blackjack?
Cards 2 through 9 keep their printed value. A 10, jack, queen, or king is worth 10. An ace is worth 1 or 11, whichever produces the strongest total without going over 21.
Is an ace always worth 11?
No. An ace counts as 11 when that value does not bust the hand. It changes to 1 when counting it as 11 would push the total over 21.
Are all face cards worth 10 in blackjack?
Yes. Jacks, queens, and kings are all worth 10. A 10 card has the same value, so a standard deck contains sixteen ten-value cards.
Do suits change card values?
No. Hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades have no effect on a card's value in standard blackjack.
Are jokers used in blackjack?
No. Standard blackjack uses a regular 52-card deck without jokers.
Next step
Use card values inside real decisions
Practice hard totals, soft totals, pairs, and dealer upcards with immediate feedback.