How Do You Count an Ace in Blackjack?

An Ace is worth 1 or 11 points in blackjack. An Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11, depending on what is most advantageous for the hand.

PRO TIP:When playing Blackjack, an Ace can count as either 1 or 11 – depending on the other cards in your hand and what you need to reach 21. Always check your hand total before deciding if you want to draw another card.

For example, if a player has an Ace and a 9, the Ace can be counted as a 9, giving the player a hand value of 19. However, if the same player has an Ace and a 5, the Ace can be counted as an 11, giving the player a hand value of 16.

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In general, it is always better to count an Ace as 11 unless doing so would put the player’s hand over 21, in which case the Ace must be counted as 1. Players should also be aware that some casinos may restrict the splitting of Aces or may only allow players to double down on certain hands when holding an Ace.