How Much Is a Jack Worth in Blackjack?
Blackjack is a game that relies on luck and skill in equal measure. A player can skew the odds in their favor through basic strategy and advanced card counting techniques. However, the house edge is also a factor and it can vary depending on the casino. In this article we’ll take a look at how much is a jack worth in blackjack and discuss some ways to reduce the house edge.
The game of blackjack starts with players making their bets and the dealer dealing two cards to each player and two to himself (one face up, one face down). Players can then choose whether to stand, hit, surrender, double down or split. Players win when their hand totals higher than the dealer’s or when the dealer busts. In the event of a tie (known as a push or standoff) bets are returned.
A starting hand of a 10 value card and an ace is called a “blackjack” or “natural” and beats all other hands except another blackjack. The standard payout for a winning natural is 3:2 but some casinos offer 6:5 or even-money which increases the house edge by 1.4% and 2.3% respectively.
A player can indicate to the dealer that they want another card by beckoning with their hand or by tapping the table behind their cards with their finger. In shoe games the player can also signal a desire for a card by scratching the table behind their cards lightly with their thumb. If the dealer has an ace showing and the player has a blackjack they can elect to take insurance which pays 2:1 on a winning insurance bet but decreases the house edge by 0.5%.