ässä

ässä is the Finnish term for the ace in a deck of playing cards. It refers to the card with the rank of one, commonly functioning as either the highest card or a flexible value depending on the game. The word is widely used in Finnish-language card-game discussions, instruction, and casual play, covering popular games such as poker, bridge, canasta, and rummy, as well as various home and club games.

In most games, the ace is the highest-ranking card above the king. However, several variants treat the ace as a low card to form straights, for example in straight sequences like A-2-3-4-5. In poker, the ace typically serves as the top card in high-ranking hands and can contribute to the highest straights; in other games, its role may differ according to specific rules. In blackjack, the ace has a dual value of either 1 or 11, offering strategic flexibility.

The term ässä is part of the Finnish card-game vocabulary and is believed to derive from the European traditional naming for the ace, with Finnish phonology shaping its current form. It is written with the Finnish letter ä and is understood across generations of players in Finland.

Culturally, ässä is the standard label for the ace in Finnish-language materials, rules, and discussions about card games. It denotes the top card in a suit in most contexts and is a key element in describing strong starting hands and winning plays in casual and competitive play.