How Much is King in Blackjack?

Blackjack is a game of probabilities, and knowing how much kings and other picture cards are worth helps players make the right decisions at the table. It is important to remember basic strategy while playing, and never deviate from it in an attempt to recoup losses or win more hands. This lack of self control is what ruins many blackjack players’ games, and it takes intentional practice to commit the rules to memory.

A player should always hit when they have a total of 11 or less. It is statistically more likely that you will bust than the dealer will, and it is not a good idea to stand in these circumstances. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, depending on the dealer’s upcard. For example, if you have a 12 and the dealer shows a 3, hitting is a better choice than standing because of the 5% chance that you will push with your hand.

Another situation in which it is statistically best to hit is when you have a dealer showing a 4. This is one of the few situations in blackjack where you should hit, as there is a higher probability that you will win than the dealer will bust.