What Do Face Cards Mean in Blackjack?
Blackjack is a classic card game enjoyed in many UK casinos. Face cards—Jacks, Queens, and Kings—may appear often as you play and hold a key role in scoring.
If you’re new to blackjack, or just want to refresh your knowledge, understanding the place of these cards can be helpful.
This article covers what face cards are, how much they’re worth, and how they fit into the game. Continue reading to learn more.
Spotting Face Cards in Your Hand
Within every deck, face cards stand out. The Jack (J), Queen (Q), and King (K) of each suit have pictures instead of numbers, which makes them easy to tell apart from the numbered cards and Aces. In blackjack, their suit—hearts, clubs, diamonds, or spades—does not affect their worth.
When you get your cards, it may be useful to pause for a moment and spot if you have a face card or not.
Each face card is worth 10 points. Quickly spotting these cards can help you total your hand and consider your next step at the table.
Enjoying blackjack is mostly about knowing the basics, like recognising face cards. This can make planning your options, such as whether to take another card or stick, simpler.
How Much Are Face Cards Worth?
Every face card—Jack, Queen or King—counts as 10 points in your hand, no matter which suit they’re from.
For example, a King and a 7 mean your hand totals 17. If you have two face cards, like a Queen and a Jack, that makes 20 points—an excellent hand in many situations.
Standard rules across various UK blackjack tables, both in casinos and online, use this value system. Some game versions might introduce extra features, so be sure to check the rules before you play.
Can You Pair Face Cards in Blackjack?
Sometimes you might be dealt two face cards at the start. They might match (such as two Kings), or be different (like a Queen and a Jack). Since all face cards count as 10 points each, a pair of them gives you a strong starting hand—worth 20 points.
If your first two cards are the same rank—like two Queens—many blackjack tables may let you split them into two hands. This means you place a second bet (equal to your original one), and each card becomes the first card of a new hand. You’ll then be dealt one new card on each hand, giving you two chances to try and beat the dealer.
However, you usually can’t split face cards that are not the same rank—like a Jack and a King—even though they both count as 10 points. To split, the cards must be exactly the same rank, not just the same value.
It’s important to note that this may differ depending on the casino and game rules, so you may want to check before playing.
What Does Basic Strategy Say?
Basic blackjack strategy recommends not splitting a pair of 10-value cards (including face cards) in most situations. That’s because a total of 20 is already one of the strongest hands you can get—splitting it risks turning a potential winning hand into two weaker ones.
There are rare exceptions where advanced players might consider splitting 10s, but for most players, especially when playing responsibly, keeping a 20 is usually the best option.
Be sure to take a moment to review the game’s rules before you begin, as these can differ from one casino or provider to another. If you’re learning as you play, look for information and help displayed within the game—many sites clearly set out their rules and options.
Play Blackjack Online
Bet442 is a UKGC-registered online casino and sportsbook. Here, you’ll find many popular blackjack games, alongside sports betting options covering football, horse racing, tennis, and more.
You can log in or join to access the full set of casino games and betting markets. If you’re keen to play classic table games, or want to see what else is new, Bet442 offers a simple way to get started.
If you choose to play, make sure you gamble responsibly and only use what you can afford. Should you ever need support, resources are available.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**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.