What Is the Difference Between a Blackjack and a Score of 21?

In blackjack, the Ace is worth 1 or 11 points, the King, Queen and Jack are each worth 10 points and the 2 through 10 are each worth their face value. The object of blackjack is to have a hand whose point value is higher than that of the dealer’s hand, but not more than 21.

If the player’s hand exceeds 21, it is a “bust” and the player loses.

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PRO TIP:A blackjack is when an Ace is combined with a face card (i.e. Jack, Queen or King) and is worth 21 points. A score of 21 is when any other combination of cards adds up to 21 points.

A score of 21 is not necessarily a blackjack. A blackjack is when your hand consists of an Ace and a 10-value card, for a total of 21 points. If you have 21 points in your hand from any combination of cards, it is not a blackjack, but simply a score of 21.

While both scores of 21 mean you’ve won the hand, only a blackjack pays out at 3-2 odds. A score of 21 simply means you’ve beaten the dealer’s hand – but since the dealer typically wins ties, you only win even money on your bet.