The word Ace can be used for a lot of things but the meaning is always something great, especially in terms of performance. A few examples would be “I Aced my test yesterday”, a service Ace in sports or to be an Ace at something. Basically it’s the ultimate goal. You might even know someone who’s nickname is Ace, which is rarely something negative.
We all know that the Ace is also the most powerful card in a deck, by far. Truth be told, in a lot of table games, it’s the one card that can win or lose a hand on its own.
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
I know you think that it was Spider-Man who coined the expression “With great power comes great responsibility” but actually, it was Voltaire who said it in the 1700s. There’s undoubtedly great power behind the magical Ace and one of the games where it comes through the most is of course at the Blackjack table.
Because of the various ways in which the Ace can appear, knowing how to play a single or a pair of Aces can have an enormous impact on your success. Therefore, whether you seek to win big online or in Las Vegas, it’s a skill you want to have.
In this article, I’m hoping to be able to teach you a thing or two about how to best put your Ace to use and maximize your chances of winning!
Play the Ace as 1 or 11
The Blackjack Ace – What’s the Value?
What makes the Ace so unique in Blackjack is the fact that it’s the only card that has been given more than one value. Not only can it be played as 1 (one), or can also be played as an 11 (eleven).
Considering you are trying to bet the dealer to 21, without going bust, knowing how to best use the full potential of the card is crucial.
Scenario Number One – The Single Ace
A Blackjack hand immediately becomes more exciting once you are dealt an Ace. Your next move however, completely comes down to your other card. You can choose to give your Ace the value of 1 or 11, but depending on the other card, there are now a few different options to consider:
- Hit (Take another card)
- Stand (Stay with the cards you have)
- Double Down (Double your bet for one more card)
A Soft 17
Let’s say that you were dealt an Ace and a 6. This would mean that your total is either 17 or 7. Have you ever heard of a “soft” 17? This simply means that because of the Ace, you can actually change the value of it if you should Hit and bust.
You won’t go Bust with a face card
For example, you chose to Hit and the dealer dealt you a face card, like in the screenshot above. This means that you busted with 27, right? Wrong! Just change the Ace to a 1 and you’re back to 17 and free to take another card.
Should I Hit or Stand With One Ace?
Just because you have an Ace doesn’t mean you will automatically win the hand. I know it can feel that way but this isn’t the time to be reckless. Trust me, there are a lot of players out there that made the mistake of overestimating the Ace and lost because of it.
The trick is of course to use the Ace to your advantage. Considering you’re not going to Bust by asking for a third card, no matter its value, you’d be a fool not to. However, there are of course circumstances when staying put is the best thing to do.
Depending on the Dealer’s card, I’ll Stand on A-8 (19)
For example:
If you have a soft 19 (A–8) or 20 (A–9), definitely stand. With a soft 18, take another look at the dealer’s hand before making a decision. If your soft total is 17 or lower, my advice is that you should hit.
Blackjack, Baby!
Then there’s the single Ace with a 10 or a face card, which of course is the ultimate hand, also known as Blackjack.
Double Aces
Scenario Number Two – A Pair of Aces
Watching not one but two Aces being laid down in front of you is always a treat and in the back of your head, you start counting the money. Don’t get too far ahead though because once again, it’s far from a guarantee, but it does open up the possibilities.
While the one Ace scenario above gives you 3 options (Hit, Stand or Double Up), Yes, you’ll have the same options here as well but I believe there’s only one thing to do with two Aces – split them!
Splitting my Aces gave me 2 x 20 and two wins
Split Your Aces
When I say split, it means that you can separate the two original cards and by doing so you will create two hands instead of just one. Keep in mind that it does mean that you’ll have to place a bet to cover the second hand.
Just to be clear, you are allowed to split any two of a kind, but let’s stick to the Aces this time.
So, after splitting your two Aces, each of your hands holds an Ace and the dealer will give you new cards to join them. With a bit of luck, you’ll score a face card on both hands, giving you two winning Blackjacks, cha-ching!
I took a risk and doubled on my first two hands
Doubling Down With Aces
Sometimes when I want to make things a bit more exciting and I feel that luck is on my side, I don’t mind Doubling Down from time to time. It’s a rush in itself and when it works it’s even better.
The downside is that when you do, you will only get one card and that’s it. In other words you can’t Double Down and then ask to Hit again. Some players will Double Down on two Aces but I’m not a fan and I can’t recommend doing so. It’s simply too risky for my taste.
Also, keep in mind that before you double down on a split hand, check the casino rules, as there are some versions of the game that don’t allow it.
Time for an Aces tattoo?
Have Fun With Your Aces
I’m not saying you should get an Aces tattoo but with this information, I’m convinced that you will be even more successful at the Blackjack table. Even I feel the need to play and experience the true power of the Ace and I’m sure you do as well.
If you haven’t seen it already, there’s of course a section about Blackjack here on the site that’s very informative. Studying the game is neve a waste of time and when it’s time to play, you know where to find the best crypto casino action on the market.
Good luck and may the Aces be with you!
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