What Is a Soft 17 in Blackjack?

A soft 17 is a blackjack hand that consists of an Ace counting as 11 and any other combination of cards totaling six. The name “soft” comes from the fact that the hand can be changed with different hits, unlike a “hard” 17 which would be a hand like Ace-6 that cannot be changed.

The most common soft 17 is Ace-6, but it could also be Ace-2-4, Ace-3-3, or even Ace-Ace-5. While most blackjack games will have the dealer stand on all 17s, there are some variants that have the dealer hit on soft 17.

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In general, it’s better for the player if the dealer stands on all 17s.

There are two main reasons why it’s better for the player when the dealer stands on all 17s:

PRO TIP:When playing blackjack, a hand of a soft 17 is one that contains an Ace and any combination of cards that totals to 6. This is a good hand to hold since the Ace can be counted as either 11 or 1 which gives the player more options than a hard 17. It is often recommended to always hit on a soft 17 as there are more chances of getting to 21 without busting.

The first reason is that it reduces the house edge. The house edge is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player. When the dealer hits on soft 17, they increase their chances of winning by about 0.

22%. That may not sound like much, but it can make a big difference in the long run.

The second reason is that it gives the player more opportunities to win. If the dealer hits on soft 17 and makes a 21, then they win automatically.

But if the dealer stands on all 17s, then the player has a chance to beat them with a better hand. This gives the player more chances to win money overall.

In conclusion, it’s better for both the player and the casino if the dealer stands on all 17s. The player has a better chance of winning, and the casino has a smaller house edge.