If you are a fan of Blackjack, you know that Aces are the most powerful cards in the game. They can be either high or low, and they can help you get closer to 21, the magic number that grants you a win.
But what happens if you have two Aces in your hand? Is there any special rule for this situation? In this tutorial, we will answer these questions and explore all the possible scenarios that can occur when you have two Aces in Blackjack.
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Scenario 1: You Get Two Aces at the Beginning of the Game
If you are lucky enough to get two Aces as your first two cards, congratulations! You have just hit a Blackjack (also known as a natural).
This means that you have an unbeatable hand, as long as the dealer doesn’t also have a Blackjack. In most casinos, a Blackjack pays 3:2 (or 1.5 times your initial bet), so make sure to enjoy your win.
Scenario 2: You Get One Ace at the Beginning of the Game
If you get only one Ace at the beginning of the game, things become a bit more complicated. You can either count it as 11 points or as 1 point, depending on what suits your hand better. For example:
- If you get an Ace and a 9, counting your Ace as 11 would give you a total of 20, which is a great hand to stand on.
- If you get an Ace and a 5, counting your Ace as 11 would give you only 16. This is not such a strong hand against any dealer’s upcard (except for maybe a 4 or a 5), so it’s better to count your Ace as 1 to avoid busting.
If you decide to count your Ace as 1, you can still hit, stand, or double down like in any other hand. However, you won’t have the advantage of having an Ace that can switch between 1 and 11 points, so you need to be careful not to bust.
Scenario 3: You Get Two Aces After Hitting
If you get two Aces after hitting (meaning that you already have at least one more card in your hand), things become even more interesting. You can still count both Aces as 11 points each if you want to (giving you a total of 22), but this would result in an automatic bust. Therefore, it’s better to count one Ace as 1 point and the other as 11 points, giving you a total of either 12 or 22.
Depending on what the dealer’s upcard is and what your current total is, you can decide whether to hit again or stand on your hand. If the dealer has a weak upcard (like a 4 or a 5) and your current total is only 12, it might be worth hitting again and hoping for a low card. On the other hand, if the dealer has a strong upcard (like a face card or an Ace) and your current total is already at least 17 (counting one Ace as 1 point), it’s better to stand on your hand and hope that the dealer will bust.
Scenario 4: You Get Two Aces After Splitting
If you are playing in a casino that allows splitting pairs (meaning that if you get two cards of the same rank, like two Aces, you can split them into two separate hands), things become even more complex. If you decide to split your two Aces, you will get two more cards, one for each Ace. At this point, you have two separate hands, and you need to play them individually.
If you get another Ace after splitting your first pair of Aces, the same rules apply as in Scenario 3. You can count one Ace as 1 point and the other as 11 points, or vice versa, depending on what suits your hand better.
If you decide not to split your two Aces and instead play them as a single hand (which is also a valid strategy), you can count both Aces as 11 points each if you want to. However, keep in mind that this will result in a total of 22 and an automatic bust. Therefore, it’s better to count one Ace as 1 point and the other as 11 points.
Conclusion
Having two Aces in Blackjack is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it gives you the opportunity to hit a Blackjack right from the start or create a strong hand by combining them with other cards. On the other hand, if you don’t play them correctly, they can easily lead to a bust or a weak hand that doesn’t stand a chance against the dealer’s upcard.
By understanding all the possible scenarios that can occur when you have two Aces in Blackjack and applying the right strategy based on your current situation and the dealer’s upcard, you can maximize your chances of winning and become a true Blackjack master.
