If you’re an avid blackjack player, you’ve likely heard the term “king worth” thrown around the table. But what exactly does it mean? And more importantly, how does it affect your strategy and gameplay?
In blackjack, each card has a value that contributes to the overall score of the hand. Numbered cards (2-10) are worth their face value, while face cards (jack, queen, king) are each worth 10 points. Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on which value benefits the hand more.
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So where does king worth come in?
When players refer to king worth in blackjack, they are typically referring to how much a king is “worth” when it comes to making decisions about hitting or standing. This is because kings are one of the most commonly drawn cards in the deck, and knowing their true value can greatly impact your gameplay.
There are two main scenarios where understanding king worth is important:
1. When deciding whether to hit or stand with a hard total (a hand without an ace or with an ace that can only be counted as 1 point)
In this scenario, if you have a hard total of 16 and draw a king as your next card, your total will now be 26 – which is an automatic bust. Therefore, if you have a hard total of 16 or higher and there is a risk of busting if you draw another card, it’s generally advisable to stand instead of hitting.
2. When deciding whether to double down with a soft total (a hand with an ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11 points)
In this scenario, if you have a soft total of 13-17 and draw a king as your next card when doubling down (doubling your initial bet in exchange for receiving one additional card), the king will only add one point to your total instead of the usual 10 points. This is because if the ace in your hand is counted as 11 points, adding a king would cause you to exceed 21 and bust. Therefore, when doubling down with a soft total, it’s important to keep in mind the potential value of drawing a king.
So what is king worth in blackjack? Ultimately, it depends on the context of the hand and the other cards in play. However, as a general rule of thumb, it’s safe to assume that kings are worth 10 points unless drawing one would cause you to bust or is paired with an ace in a soft total situation.
In conclusion, understanding king worth is just one small aspect of developing a successful blackjack strategy. By taking into account all of the variables at play – including your own hand, the dealer’s up card, and the number of decks being used – you can make informed decisions that increase your chances of winning at this popular casino game.
