Do You Ever Split 7s in Blackjack?

Most blackjack experts agree that if the dealer is showing a face card (7,8,9,10, or Ace) and you have a 7, the right play is to hit. The basic strategy chart agrees. There are two exceptions. First, if you are playing in a game where the dealer stands on a soft 17, you should hit your 7 against an Ace.

The second exception is if you are playing in a game with unusually bad rules and the dealer hits a soft 17. Then you should stand on your 7 against an Ace.

The reason to hit 7 against a face card is that the probability of drawing another card that will bust your hand is high. A 7 is more likely to bust than any other number except for a 6.

And, since the dealer is more likely to have a face card than any other number except for an Ace, it makes sense to hit your 7 when the dealer is showing a face card.

The reason to stand on 7 against an Ace when the dealer hits a soft 17 is that the probability of drawing another card that will improve your hand is high. A 7 is more likely to improve to an 8, 9, or 10 than any other number except for an Ace.

And, since the dealer is more likely to have an Ace than any other number except for a 10, it makes sense to stand on your 7 when the dealer hits a soft 17.

In conclusion, if you are dealt a 7 and the dealer is showing a face card, you should hit unless you are playing in a game with bad rules where the dealer hits a soft 17. If you are dealt a 7 and the dealer hits a soft 17, you should stand.