Best & Worst Blackjack Hands: Complete Blackjack Hand Rankings
Understanding which blackjack hands give you the best shot at a payout makes the game more engaging and often more rewarding. Knowing which hands tend to cause problems matters just as much if you want to keep control.
Whether you are new or have played a fair few rounds, working out which hands put you in a strong position can feel unclear at first. This guide keeps it simple.
We will outline the top hands, flag the ones that usually put you under pressure, and explain how totals are valued so your choices feel easier from one section to the next.
What Is A Blackjack (Natural)?
A blackjack, often called a natural, is a two‑card 21 achieved on your initial deal. It is most commonly an Ace combined with any ten‑value card: 10, Jack, Queen, or King. A 21 made with three or more cards is not a blackjack.
In many games, a blackjack settles immediately if the dealer does not also hold a blackjack. If the dealer does have one, the result is usually a push (a tie), and your stake is returned. Some tables require or allow the dealer to check for blackjack when showing an Ace or a ten‑value card before play continues.
The typical payout for a player blackjack is 3:2, but this can vary by table and variant. Some games pay 6:5 or even 1:1, which materially affects returns. Always review the posted rules for the specific table you are playing.
No other starting hand can beat a blackjack; it can only be tied by the dealer’s blackjack. Remember that outcomes are determined by chance and house rules, and no result is guaranteed.
How Are Blackjack Hands Ranked?
In blackjack, hands are assessed by how close their total is to 21 without going over. Your hand is only compared against the dealer’s hand, not against other players at the table, and the hand nearer to 21 wins the round.
If your cards go over 21, that is called a bust, which results in an immediate loss for that round. Once a player busts, the outcome is settled for that hand regardless of how the dealer later finishes.
It also helps to understand the difference between hard and soft hands. A soft hand includes an Ace counted as 11, and it can usually be revalued as 1 if taking another card would otherwise cause a bust, offering some flexibility in play. A hard hand does not have that option and will bust if it exceeds 21.
A two-card 21 made with an Ace and a ten-value card is known as a blackjack (or natural) and is the strongest standard player outcome. It typically beats any dealer total except a dealer blackjack; if both player and dealer have blackjack, the result is a push (tie) and the stake is returned.
If both player and dealer finish on the same total (for example, both on 20), the hand is also a push and neither side wins. Exact procedures can vary by table, such as whether the dealer stands on all 17s or hits a soft 17, so always check the specific house rules before you play.
With those basics in place, here is how common totals compare under most standard rules.
Complete Blackjack Hand Rankings
Blackjack hands are valued by how close they get to 21 without exceeding it. Aces can count as 1 or 11, and outcomes are also influenced by the house rules in play (for example, whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17).
Here is a clear view of where each type of hand sits in the pecking order, with notes on how common rule variations may affect results:
1. Blackjack (Natural):
An Ace with a 10, Jack, Queen or King on the initial deal. This is the top hand and, under most rules, pays a premium (commonly 3:2, though some tables pay 6:5). If the dealer also has a blackjack, the result is usually a push.
Some games treat blackjacks after splitting differently (often not counted as a natural). Always check the table rules, as payout terms and handling of ties can vary by venue and variant.
2. Hands Totalling 21 (Not Natural):
Three or more cards adding up to 21, such as 7–7–7 or 9–2–10. This total is very strong, but it is not as powerful as a natural blackjack and typically pays even money when it wins.
If both player and dealer finish on 21, the outcome is usually a push. A dealer natural blackjack will still beat a non-natural 21.
3. Hands Totalling 20:
Two cards totalling 20, such as two 10s or a King and Queen. This is a consistently strong total and is only beaten by 21 or a dealer blackjack.
Note the difference between hard 20 (e.g., 10–10) and soft 20 (Ace–9). A soft 20 includes an Ace counted as 11 and can be affected by specific table rules, but it still ranks below any 21.
4. Strong Totals (19, 18, and 17):
Totals of 19, 18, or 17 are good, though outcomes depend on the dealer’s upcard and whether the dealer must hit or stand on soft 17. A soft 17 (Ace counted as 11) plays differently from a hard 17.
These totals can hold up well, but they remain vulnerable to dealer improvements. House rules and the number of decks in use can influence the likelihood of the dealer drawing to a higher total.
5. Lower Totals (16 and under):
Totals below 17 often need improvement and carry higher risk, particularly hard 16 against a dealer high card. Soft totals (hands with an Ace counted as 11) may offer more flexibility to improve without busting.
The relative strength of these hands depends on the dealer’s upcard and the permitted actions at the table (such as doubling or splitting). Check the rules to understand your available options.
6. Busts (Over 21):
Any hand over 21 loses automatically. If a player busts, that hand loses immediately, regardless of how the dealer later finishes the round.
Managing the risk of busting is an important part of play, especially when drawing additional cards to weaker totals.
Understanding this order helps you assess hand strength within the rules of the game. Outcomes and payouts are determined by the specific table rules in force, so review them before playing. Gambling involves risk; only play with funds you can afford to lose.
Which Are The Best Blackjack Hands?
The best of all is a natural blackjack, an Ace paired with a 10-value card dealt on the first two cards. It usually wins immediately unless the dealer also has blackjack, in which case it’s a push. In many traditional games it pays at 3:2, although some tables pay 6:5, so always check the rules before you play.
Next are totals of 20, like a pair of 10s or a King and Queen. These hands put you in a favourable position, as the dealer needs 21 to beat you and can only draw with 20. In most situations basic strategy recommends standing, and splitting 10s is generally discouraged, though the precise decision can depend on the dealer’s upcard and table rules.
Totals of 19 are also strong. They are not unbeatable, but they fare well against a wide range of dealer outcomes and are commonly played by standing. As ever, the dealer’s upcard and specific house rules can influence the optimal choice.
Soft hands where an Ace counts as 11, such as Ace and 8 for a soft 19, can be powerful too. Their flexibility lets you take another card with a built‑in safety net, and in some situations you may double down for extra value. Remember that a soft hand can become hard if the Ace revalues to 1 after a hit.
The value of any hand is affected by the game’s conditions. Factors such as the number of decks, whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, the availability of surrender, and doubling rules can all shift the mathematically sound play.
Of course, not every deal is kind. Middling totals like 12–16 often make decisions tougher, and even strong hands will sometimes lose. Use basic strategy to guide your choices, never chase losses, and only play with money you can afford to lose.
Which Are The Worst Blackjack Hands?
The most difficult hands are those that are weak against typical dealer outcomes, such as 17 to 20, or that carry a high risk of busting when you try to improve them. How tough a spot feels will also depend on the table’s rules, the number of decks, and whether the dealer hits or stands on a soft 17.
Totals of 16 are widely seen as the toughest spot, especially when made up of a hard 16 like a 10 and a 6 or a 9 and a 7. If you take a card, you can go over 21 very easily because so many cards are worth 10. If you stand, the dealer often finishes on a higher total, leaving you behind even when you avoid a bust.
Where the option is offered, surrender can reduce losses with a hard 16 against a strong dealer upcard such as a 9, 10, or Ace, though availability and suitability depend on the house rules. Basic strategy recommendations can vary slightly by ruleset, and no choice removes the house edge entirely.
Fifteen can be awkward for the same reason. You are caught between needing improvement and the real risk of going over 21 if you hit, while standing leaves you vulnerable to the dealer’s common totals. Soft 15 (with an Ace counted as 11) is a different situation, but a hard 15 is often one of the least comfortable hands to play.
Another tricky total is 12, particularly against a dealer 2 or 3. Hitting risks a bust on many 10-value cards, yet standing can leave you short if the dealer completes a 17 or better. These marginal spots feel uncomfortable because neither option is clearly attractive.
Pairs of 8s or 9s can feel uncomfortable against strong dealer upcards like a 10 or Ace, because both starting totals sit in a tricky middle ground before you decide how to play them. Splitting 8s is commonly used to avoid being stuck with a hard 16, while 9s may be split or stood on depending on the dealer’s card and the table rules.
And of course, any hand that goes over 21 is a bust and loses immediately, whatever the dealer holds. Managing these situations is about limiting losses over time rather than expecting a difficult hand to turn into a frequent winner.
If you are unsure, base your decisions on the posted table rules and a recognised basic strategy for that variant. Nothing guarantees success, and outcomes are random. Only gamble if you are 18+ (or the legal age in your jurisdiction), set limits, and stop if it stops being fun.
What Is A Soft Hand And How Is It Valued?
A soft hand is any hand that contains an Ace counted as 11 rather than 1. For example, an Ace and a 7 is a soft 18. Depending on the situation, that same Ace can also be treated as 1, so A‑7 may effectively be 8 or 18.
Only one Ace in a hand is counted as 11 at any time. With multiple Aces, all but one are valued at 1 by default, so A‑A is a soft 12 (11+1), not 22.
The advantage is flexibility. If you draw another card and the total would go over 21, the Ace can switch from 11 to 1. That lets the hand adjust automatically and reduces the immediate risk of going bust when you take a card.
For instance, if you hold A‑7 and draw a 9, your total becomes 17 (1+7+9) rather than 27. This gives you another chance to improve without losing the moment you act.
Because of that cushion, soft hands often give you room to aim for a stronger total without the same immediate risk that comes with hard hands. This flexibility can also influence decisions such as whether to take another card or, where permitted, to double down, always subject to the specific table rules in place.
Soft hands do not guarantee a favourable result. Outcomes depend on chance, the cards dealt, and house rules (for example, whether the dealer hits on soft 17). Always set limits, play responsibly, and treat blackjack as a form of entertainment.
What Is A Hard Hand And How Is It Valued?
A hard hand is any hand with no Ace, or with an Ace that can only be counted as 1 without exceeding 21. In other words, there is no safe option to value an Ace as 11. This contrasts with a “soft” hand, where an Ace can still be treated as 11 without busting.
For instance, 10 and 7 is a hard 17. Likewise, Ace, 8, and 9 becomes a hard 18 because the Ace must be counted as 1 to avoid going over 21. Another common case is Ace, 6, 10: although Ace, 6 starts soft (17), adding the 10 forces the Ace to 1, making it a hard 17.
Because hard hands are less flexible, taking another card can carry more risk than with soft totals. As a result, the dealer’s upcard, the number of decks in use, and specific table rules can all influence whether standing, hitting, doubling, or surrendering (if available) is statistically sound.
Always check the house rules (for example, whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, whether doubling after splitting is allowed, and if late surrender exists), as these affect the expected value of decisions with hard hands.
Blackjack strategy aims to reduce the house edge but cannot guarantee outcomes. Only play with money you can afford to lose, set limits in advance, and stop if it stops being enjoyable.
How Do Aces Change A Hand’s Value?
Aces are the most flexible cards in blackjack because they can be counted as either 1 or 11, giving you two possible totals from a single card.
This means an Ace can lift your total without forcing a bust. With Ace and 6, for example, you can treat the hand as 7 or 17 and adjust as the round develops. If a later card would take you past 21 with the Ace as 11, you simply count it as 1 instead, keeping the hand in play.
Hands that include an Ace counted as 11 are called “soft” hands (e.g., Ace–6 is a soft 17). They allow more flexibility because drawing a higher card will usually convert the Ace to 1 rather than ending the round. Once the Ace is treated as 1, the hand becomes “hard” (e.g., soft 17 turning into a hard 17 after drawing a 10), and your options narrow accordingly.
This flexibility influences basic strategy decisions. Players will often take another card on soft totals, as the risk of busting is reduced compared with hard hands of the same value. However, the best action can depend on the specific table rules, such as whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, and outcomes are never guaranteed.
Aces also matter when splitting. Many tables allow you to split a pair of Aces, typically dealing only one additional card to each split Ace. Rules on re-splitting or whether a ten-value card on a split Ace counts as blackjack vary, so always check the house rules. The value of Aces lies in their flexibility, not in any promise of profit.
What Counts As A Bust?
A bust happens when the total value of your cards goes over 21. In most blackjack games, this results in an automatic loss for that hand, regardless of the dealer’s final total. Aces can count as 1 or 11 to help keep you under 21, but once every Ace is counted as 1 and your total still exceeds 21, the hand is bust.
For example, if you have 18, take another card, and finish on 24, you have busted and your stake for that hand is settled as a loss immediately. Similarly, a hand like 10-6-7 reaches 23 and is also a bust, even if the dealer later goes over 21.
It pays to keep a close eye on your total as the hand develops and to consider standing if you are unsure. Always check the specific house rules for the table you are playing. Set limits, play within your means, and avoid chasing losses.
When Does A Push Happen?
A push occurs when you and the dealer finish with hands of the same final value, so the outcome is a tie.
This can happen on any total, though it most often appears with higher totals such as 18, 19, 20, or 21 after all actions are completed and no further cards are drawn.
In most blackjack variants, equal 21s also result in a push, including when both hands are blackjacks. If only one hand is a blackjack, that hand typically wins according to the table’s payout rules.
When a push is declared, no one wins or loses the round. Your original stake is returned to you, and the next round then begins as normal.
House rules can vary between casinos and tables, and side bets may have different push rules. Check the specific rules before you play and only stake what you can afford to lose.
How Do Dealer Rules Affect Hand Strength?
Dealer rules can change how strong a given total really is. In most games, the dealer must hit until they have at least 17. A “soft 17” is a total of 17 that includes an ace counted as 11 (for example, A‑6). In some games, the dealer must also hit on a soft 17, which slightly shifts the probabilities by giving the dealer an extra chance to improve, while also creating a small additional risk of going bust.
If the dealer stands on all 17s, it can be harder to get past them with middling totals because the dealer stops as soon as they reach 17 or more. This tends to fix the dealer at a ceiling of 17 on soft hands, so totals like 18 or 19 may hold their ground reasonably often without guaranteeing any outcome.
When the dealer hits on soft 17, their soft hands are more likely to convert to stronger totals such as 18–21, and only sometimes to bust. As a result, strong player totals like 18 to 20 generally face stiffer opposition, and the house edge is typically a little higher under this rule. The exact effect is modest but noticeable over many hands.
These rules are set by the table, so it is worth checking them before you play. The impact can also vary with other conditions, such as the number of decks and whether other options (for example, surrender) are offered, so always read the on‑table signage or the game information screen online.
Remember that all outcomes are determined by chance, no strategy can guarantee a profit, and past results do not predict future performance. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose and take breaks if play stops being enjoyable.
Are Pairs And Splits Ranked Differently?
Pairs, such as two 8s or two Kings, are not ranked differently while they remain a single two‑card hand. Their value is simply the total of the two cards, just like any other starting hand, until you choose to take an action.
If you decide to split a pair, you turn one hand into two separate hands, and you will typically place an additional wager equal to your original stake on the new hand. Each split hand is then played and settled independently, with its own outcome and potential return or loss.
After a split, each new hand is valued in the usual way: by its total and how close it is to 21 without going over. Standard dealer rules still apply, although house rules may impose limits. For example, some tables allow resplitting, while others do not; Aces often receive only one card per split hand; and drawing after splitting Aces may be restricted.
Some pairs, like Aces or 8s, are commonly considered worth splitting because they can start weaker positions that may develop into stronger totals. By contrast, splitting 10s is usually discouraged because 20 is already a strong total and may outperform most dealer outcomes.
Keep in mind that the best choice can depend on specific table rules, the number of decks, and whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. No decision guarantees a win, and outcomes involve chance. Always play within your limits and only wager what you can afford to lose.
Quick Reference Table Of Common Hand Outcomes And Typical Payouts
Here is a quick reference for how common blackjack outcomes usually pay. Figures are indicative only, and paytables can differ by venue, game variant, number of decks, and whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17.
Always review the rules displayed at the table before placing a wager, as these details affect both the payout and the likelihood of each outcome.
- Blackjack (natural): typically 3:2 (some tables may pay 6:5)
- Standard win: 1:1 (your total beats the dealer’s without busting)
- Insurance bet win: 2:1 (optional side wager offered when the dealer shows an Ace)
- Push (draw): your stake returned (no win or loss on the hand)
- Loss or bust: you lose your bet (including when the dealer has a higher total or you exceed 21)
Note that side bets, doubling, splitting, and surrender—where available—follow their own house rules and can change how much is paid on individual hands. If a game advertises non-standard payouts (for example, blackjack paying 6:5), this will reduce the return compared with a 3:2 table.
Payout structures and table rules can differ slightly. If you choose to play, set sensible limits, never chase losses, and only wager what you can afford to lose. Gamble responsibly. 18+ only.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.