Blackjack Hands 

Written by: Jeremy Olson, OUSC Online Casino and Games Expert
Blackjack Hands Icon

Learning about blackjack hands is essential because it helps you decide whether to hit, stand, or take other actions. Though all casino games have elements of chance, this one is a game of skill. When you learn basic strategy, you’ll increase your odds of winning.  

Each hand value calls for four strategies: hit, stand, split, or double down. The value of your hand changes the probability of getting a 21 or busting. Keep reading this blackjack hands guide to learn more about playing your cards right and increasing your odds of winning.

Blackjack Hands Guide

Everything You Need to Know

Blackjack Hands

Best Online Blackjack Casinos of 2023

Please wait ...
  • 1
    Red Dog Casino
    • Trusted and Reputable USA Online Casino
    • 100s of Real Money Casino Games
    • Quick Seamless Payouts, Variety of Deposit Options
    Deposit Options include:
    • bitcoin
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • amex
    • discover
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    $8,000 Welcome Bonus
  • 2
    DuckyLuck Casino
    • Over 400 Slots
    • Desktop and Mobile-Friendly
    • Huge Welcome Bonuses
    Deposit Options include:
    • bitcoin
    • mastercard
    • visa
    • amex
    • discover
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    500% up to $7,500
  • 3
    SlotsandCasino
    • Over 500 Slot Games
    • Exclusive OUSC Bonus
    • Great Specialty Games
    Deposit Options include:
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • amex
    • discover
    • bitcoin
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    300% up to $4,500
  • 4
    Bovada Casino
    • Great Crypto Welcome
    • MatchPay & Vouchers Banking
    • High-Paying Jackpots
    Deposit Options include:
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • bitcoin
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    125% up to $3,750
  • 4
    North Casino
    • Thousands of Slot Games
    • Mobile, Instant & Live Dealer Games
    • Excellent Signup & Reload Bonuses
    Deposit Options include:
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • neteller
    • bitcoin
    • skrill
    • wire
    • visa-gift
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    Up to $5,000
  • 4
    Hellspin
    • Canada Players Accepted, Quick Payouts
    • Huge Bonus With Free Spins
    • Large Selection of Real Money Games
    Deposit Options include:
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • bitcoin
    • money-orders
    • wire
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    100% up to $300 + 100 FS
  • 4
    Betway Casino
    • Uses the Microgaming Software
    • Fast Cashouts in Just 1-7 Days
    • Online, Mobile, Instant & Live Play
    Deposit Options include:
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • paypal
    • neteller
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    100% up to $1,000
    100% up to €1,000
    100% up to £1,000
  • 4
    Jackpot City Casino
    • Big Jackpots and Massive Deposit Bonuses
    • Over 400 Online Casino Games
    • Play Live Dealer Games
    Deposit Options include:
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • paypal
    • bitcoin
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    100% up to $1,600
    100% up to €1,600
    100% up to £1,600
  • 4
    Joe Fortune
    • Large Australian Bitcoin-Friendly Casino
    • Mobile, Flash, and Download Play Options
    • Fastest Payouts
    Deposit Options include:
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • paypal
    • neteller
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    200% up to $1,000
  • 4
    Fair Go Casino
    • Safe and Trustworthy Australian Casino
    • Multiple Daily Deposit Deals
    • 100s of Pokies, Slots, and Table Games
    Deposit Options include:
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • wire
    • bitcoin
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    100% up to $1,000
  • 4
    888 Casino
    • Operating in Good Standing Since 1997
    • Great Graphics and Sounds that are Updated Frequently
    • Fast and Secure Credit Card Deposits
    Deposit Options include:
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • paypal
    • neteller
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    100% up to $200
    100% up to €140
    100% up to £100
  • 4
    Izzi Casino
    • Accepts Canadian Players, Highly Trusted
    • Huge 500 Free Spins Welcome Bonus
    • Large Selection of Over 3,000 Slots
    Deposit Options include:
    • visa
    • mastercard
    • bitcoin
    • wire
    Compatible with:
    • windows
    • apple
    • android
    • mobile
    150% up to $3,000

What are Blackjack Hands?

blackjack rules intro

A blackjack hand consists of two or more cards the player receives from the dealer. Each round begins with the dealer distributing two cards to each player: the hole card (face-down) and the face card (face-up). Once the player sees their two cards, they decide whether to hit or stand. 

Hitting means you want a third card, and standing means you don’t want another card. Other decisions are available like splitting, doubling, and surrendering. However, the choice to hit or stand is fundamental to any blackjack hand. You can continue hitting until you bust. In twenty-one, you bust when your hand adds up to more than 21.  

Blackjack Hand Values

Before playing, players must learn the blackjack hand values. These are easy but are essential for strategy. All face cards have a value of 10, while the ten-card also counts as 10. Number cards have the value of the number on the card. Aces can count either as 1 or 11, which makes it a pivotal card when determining strategy. 

blackjack hand card values chart

Blackjajck Soft Hands

Blackjack Soft Hand

If a player holds an ace, the hand might be “soft” or “hard.” A soft hand is one where the ace is worth one. The value of the soft hand is that it can’t bust. If you receive a card that would make the hand worth more than 21, you can choose to make the ace worth 1 instead of 11. 

Blackjack Hard Hands

Blackjack Soft Hand

Most blackjack hands are hard hands. If you don’t hold an ace, then it’s a hard hand. If you’ve received a third card and the value is 12 or more, then the hand is hard. These hands have no room for error because they can bust on the next card. 

How to Play Soft Hands in Blackjack

Imagine that you’re dealt a hand, an ace, and a 5. As a soft hand, it can be worth either 6 or 16. You would hit the hand, hoping for another 5 (to equal 11). If you get a card between 6 and 10, then ace becomes a hard-11. For instance, if you received a 7, the hand would be worth 13 now (6+7). You’d want another hit, though you’d face the possibility of busting with the 4th card. 

Blackjack Hand Chart

A blackjack hand chart guides the move you should make with every potential combination of hands. One side of the chart shows the player’s hand value, while the other shows the dealer’s hand value.

The columns and rows intersect to show what you should do in each case: Hit, Stand, Double-Down, and Split. Charts usually are color-coded to make reading them more manageable, while initials often indicate the moves: H, S, D, SP. 

Basic Blackjack Strategy table

Blackjack Hand Signals Guide

Players use hand signals to the dealer which move they wish to make. In a noisy casino, these help communication and cut down on mistakes. Below are the blackjack hand signals you should learn, along with their meaning. If you forget these signals, ask the dealer for a reminder. It’s in their best interest that they understand your gestures. 

  • Hit

    Gently tap the table in front of you. It indicates you want another card.
  • Stand

    Wave your hand over your cards. It means you don’t want another card.
  • Double Down

    Pick up the correct amount of chips (the same as your bet) and place them on the table next to your original wager. These should be outside the betting box but next to it. Players double-down on their bet when their cards are good, and the dealer’s face-card looks weak.
  • Split

    If you receive a matching pair of cards, you have the option to split. It creates two hands, each with the same-sized bet matching the original wager. The dealer distributes a card apiece to each of the new hands. To indicate you want to split the pair, point with your fingers in a V sign to show you want to divide your hand instead of doubling down.
Blackjack Hand Signals Infographic

Blackjack Winning Hands

Players optimize their odds by increasing their bet size when they have an advantage. You should avoid doing so when you have a bad hand. Players can increase bets in two ways, doubling-down or splitting pairs. Much of the blackjack strategy involves spotting potential blackjack winning hands and taking advantage of your best chances to win.  

Best Hand in Blackjack

Blackjack Best Hand Icon

The best blackjack hand is a two-card 21, meaning an ace and a card with the value of 10. That means King, Queen, Jack, or Ten.

When you receive a two-card 21, it’s called a blackjack or a “natural blackjack.” This hand beats every other hand in the game. 

Worst Hand in Blackjack

Blackjack Worst Hand icon

The worst blackjack hand is 16. If you stand, you face high odds that the dealer will have a stronger hand. If you hit, you face high odds that you’ll bust.

This is why you should always split 8s – not because of the strength of a hand worth 8, but because you avoid the worst hand.

Best Hands to Split in Blackjack

Always split aces and 8s in blackjack. Roughly one-third of all cards in a deck has a value of 10. If you split aces, this means you have two excellent chances at a 21. Also, since 16 is a lousy hand, you split the 8s to give yourself two opportunities to improve on 16. 18s aren’t perfect, but they win more hands than 16s will. 

Finally, while splitting other numbers depends on the dealer’s up-card, you should never split tens, fours, or fives. Two tens are a good hand, two fives equal ten, and two fours equal eight, so these have better chances of winning than most other hands. 

Best Hands to Split in Blackjack

Odds of Winning a Blackjack Hand

Blackjack Payouts and Odds Chip Stack Percentage Icon

The probability of winning a hand in blackjack is 42.22% while losing is 49.10%. The likelihood of a tie is 8.48%. In most versions of blackjack, the house edge derives from the fact that the dealer goes after the player.

Therefore, the player has a chance to bust before the dealer ever has to make a move, or before they have the possibility of busting.

Best Online Blackjack Casinos

Put your newfound blackjack hand skills to the test at these reputable real money blackjack online casinos today.

RANK ONLINE CASINO BLACKJACK GAMES BONUS START
1 Wild Casino Logo Wild Casino BLACKJACK GAMES 18 BONUS 100% up to $5,000 Play Now
2 Bovada Casino Logo Bovada Casino BLACKJACK GAMES 8 BONUS 125% up to $3,750 Play Now
3 Red Dog Casino Logo Red Dog Casino BLACKJACK GAMES 3 BONUS $8,000 Welcome Bonus Play Now
4 DuckyLuck Casino Logo DuckyLuck Casino BLACKJACK GAMES 4 BONUS 500% up to $7,500 Play Now
5 SlotsandCasino Logo SlotsandCasino BLACKJACK GAMES 4 BONUS 300% up to $4,500 Play Now

Try Your Hand at Blackjack Today!

Of all casino games, blackjack has the best odds, usually with a house edge of 1% or less. Players must learn the basics if they want those great odds. Understanding the blackjack hand values gives you a better understanding of the game. Hand charts, on the other hand, help you visualize and memorize the basic strategy. 

Before playing, you should know the blackjack hand gestures to make betting more straightforward. Learning a few simple gestures cuts down on confusion and makes the game run smoother. Whether you’re about to play online or with real-life dealers, refer back to this blackjack hand guide to refresh your memory.

FAQ – Blackjack Hands

The following queries are some of the most common questions we receive about blackjack hands.

What is the highest hand in blackjack?

The highest hand in blackjack is a two-card 21, also called a “natural blackjack.” This can look like an ace and a ten, jack, queen, or king.

What is the probability of winning a blackjack hand?

The probability of winning a blackjack hand is 42.22% when using an optimal playing strategy. Blackjack has some of the best odds with a house edge of just 1% or less.

Jeremy Olson

Jeremy Olson OUSC Online Casino and Games Expert

I got my start in the gambling world by taking beatings in blackjack and poker. Ever since then, I became obsessed with becoming a better gambler. This pursuit led me to write. My main focuses nowadays include strategy, online casino reviews, and online casino bonuses.

Learn More About Jeremy