How to Do Blackjack Math

Blackjack is an exceedingly well-liked form of entertainment for millions of gamblers. Blackjack is often called “twenty-one” and does have math involved in it, but you do not have to be a mathematician to take part in blackjack. If you can count to twenty-one and do some basic math computations, you can without doubt occupy yourself in playing this great card game. Read the following to learn about how to do blackjack math.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Deck of Playing Cards

1. Understand the basics of the game of blackjack. Blackjack is a card game in which a dealer plays against between one and up to several players. The object of the game is to have a higher valued hand than the dealers hand, but to not go over twenty-one in doing so. If at any time a players (or dealers) hand exceeds twenty-one, they lose. To begin each participant receives two cards initially, including the dealer; who will display one of these cards face up. Every player is then permitted to “hit” (receive more cards), if they so desire to attempt to beat the dealer’s hand. The various cards have a set sum that is used to do the math in blackjack. These card values are explained in the next three steps.

2. Identify the value of the numbered cards. The cards numbered two through ten are each worth the amount shown. A two is counted as two, a three as three and so on up to ten. You simply add these cards at face value.

3. Know the value of the face cards. The jack, queen and king are all counted as ten. If you have any of these cards in your hand, each is worth ten.

4. Recognize the value of the ace. The ace is a little trickery than the other cards, since it can be counted as either a one or an eleven. It will depend on your other card(s) as to which is better to use. If you value the ace as eleven and by doing this, go over twenty-one; you should then count it as a one instead.

Tips & Warnings

• One of the fastest ways to learn how to do blackjack math is to practice it as often as possible. You can easily do this any where with a deck of playing cards.
• If your first two cards are an ace and any card valued at ten, you have what is known as a “natural” or a “blackjack” and should not hit this hand. This hand will normally pay more than the usual even money, unless you tie with the dealer. If you have more than two cards that equal twenty-one, you do not have a blackjack (or natural) and will receive even money, as long as you do not tie with the dealers hand.
• A hand that has an ace in it is often called a “soft” hand, since it can be hit without going over twenty-one.