Aces and face cards significantly influence the value of a hand in Blackjack. Aces are versatile, counting as either 1 or 11, allowing for strategic flexibility in adjusting the hand's total. This adaptability helps avoid busting or reaching 21 more efficiently. Face cards, each worth 10, are valuable in combination with an Ace to form a "natural" Blackjack, the strongest hand. However, they can also increase the risk of busting when paired with high cards, making them pivotal in both winning and losing scenarios.