Can a Dealer Hit on 18 in Blackjack?

In blackjack, dealers are not allowed to hit on a soft 18, which is a hand made up of an Ace and a 7 that totals 18. However, there are some circumstances where a dealer may be forced to hit on a soft 18.

If the dealer is showing a 5 or 6 and the player has signaled for a hit, then the dealer must hit on a soft 18. This is because there is a good chance that the player will bust if they take another card, and the dealer does not want to risk busting as well.

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PRO TIP:In Blackjack, the dealer must hit on any hand of 16 or less and must stand on any hand of 17 or more. This includes hands that total 18. Therefore, the answer is yes, a dealer can hit on 18 in Blackjack.

If the dealer is showing an Ace and the player has signaled for a hit, then the dealer may choose to either hit or stand on a soft 18. In this case, it is generally advisable for the dealer to hit because there is a good chance that the player has a low card underneath their Ace that will cause them to bust if they take another card.

In general, dealers should stand on soft 18 unless they are forced to hit by the rules or they have a good chance of busting the player if they take another card.