Face cards are some of the most important cards in a game of blackjack. These cards are the Kings, Queens, and Jacks in a deck. Recognisable by their royal illustrations, face cards hold a significant value in the game.
In blackjack, face cards are each worth 10 points. This means that whether you draw a King, Queen, or Jack, they will all contribute 10 points to your hand.
Understanding the value of face cards is crucial because the goal in blackjack is to get as close to 21 points as possible without going over. Knowing how these cards work will help you know where you stand and make better decisions in the game.
So, let's dive deeper into what face cards are and their role in your blackjack strategy.
What Are Face Cards?
In a standard deck of 52 playing cards, face cards are the Kings, Queens, and Jacks from each suit: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. These cards feature detailed portraits, giving them their unique "face" appearance.
Each suit has three face cards, making a total of 12 face cards in the entire deck. They are visually distinct because they depict royalty, with the Jack often shown as a young prince, the Queen as a regal lady, and the King as a powerful monarch.
If you're playing blackjack, these face cards are easy to spot and play a crucial role due to their consistent value of 10 points.
How Many Face Cards Are In a Deck of 52 Cards?
A standard deck of 52 cards contains 12 face cards. These consist of the Kings, Queens, and Jacks from each of the four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.
Each suit has three face cards:
- 1 King
- 1 Queen
- 1 Jack
With four suits in the deck, multiplying the three face cards per suit by the four suits gives you a total of 12 face cards. It's a straightforward calculation: 4 suits x 3 face cards each = 12 face cards.
These face cards are easy to recognise thanks to the portraits of royal figures on them. Knowing how many there are and being able to identify them quickly can help you in various card games, especially blackjack.
What Are Face Cards Worth In Blackjack?
Face cards play a vital role in blackjack because they all carry the same value. Each face card - whether it's a King, Queen, or Jack - is worth 10 points. This value remains the same for all four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.
If you get a face card in blackjack, it adds 10 points to your hand. For example, if you have a 7 and a Queen, your total is 17 points.
Understanding the value of face cards is essential for making strategic decisions. Since face cards bring significant points to your hand, they can quickly increase your total. However, be mindful, as going over 21 points means you lose the game.
In summary, knowing that each face card is worth 10 points helps you to understand the importance of these cards in blackjack and what they mean should they be drawn.
Should You Split Face Cards In Blackjack?
In blackjack, you have the option to split your hand if you're dealt two cards of the same value. But should you split face cards?
The simple answer is no. Face cards each have a value of 10 points, so splitting them creates two hands starting at 10 each. This may seem tempting, but it's usually better to keep them together.
If you have two face cards, you have a strong hand of 20 points. This is a very high total, making it hard for the dealer to beat you. Splitting them could result in two weaker hands, decreasing your chances of winning.
While splitting other pairs (like two 8s or two aces) can be a good strategy, face cards should almost always be played together. Keeping a strong hand maximises your chances of winning the round.
So, while it's good to understand splitting options, remember that splitting face cards in blackjack is not a recommended move. Stick with the strong hand you've got.
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