Unexpected error where get() tries to evaluate the default value, despite the key existing in the dictionary

def blackjack(cards):
    values = {"J" : 10, "Q" : 10, "K" : 10}
    aces = cards.count("A")
    cards = [i for i in cards if i != "A"]
    hand = 0
    for card in cards:
        hand += values.get(card, int(card))
    while aces > 0:
        if hand + aces > 11: 
            return hand + aces
        elif hand < 11: hand += 11
        else: hand += 1
        aces -= 1
    return hand

cards = ['J','3']
blackjack(cards)

   hand += values.get(card, int(card))
                             ^^^^^^^^^
ValueError: invalid literal for int() with base 10: 'J'

>Solution :

The int conversion is done before ever calling get, you can just do it after retrieving the value

hand += int(values.get(card, card))