Do You Stand on 17 Blackjack?

One of the most common questions that blackjack players have is whether or not to stand on a hand that totals 17. While this may seem like a simple decision, there are actually several factors to consider when deciding whether to hit or stand.

Hard 17 vs Soft 17

The first thing to understand is the difference between a hard and soft 17. A hard 17 is a hand that does not include an ace, while a soft 17 includes an ace that can be counted as either one or eleven. For example, if you have a hand of seven and ten (hard 17) and another player has an ace, six, and ten (soft 17), the other player has several options available that you do not.

Dealer’s Up Card

The second factor to consider when deciding whether to stand on a total of 17 is the dealer’s up card. If the dealer has a low up card (two through six), they are more likely to bust, so it may be wise to stand on your hand even if it only totals 16. However, if the dealer has a high up card (seven through ace), they are less likely to bust and you may need to take a risk by hitting your hand.

Rules of the Game

The third factor to consider when deciding whether to stand on a total of 17 is the specific rules of the game you are playing. Some blackjack games allow players to surrender their hand for half their bet before any cards are drawn, while others do not allow surrender at all.

Additionally, some games allow players to double down on any two cards while others only allow doubling down on certain totals. Knowing these rules can help you make an informed decision about how best to play your hand.

Basic Strategy

Ultimately, the best way to decide whether to stand on a total of 17 is by using basic strategy. Basic strategy is a set of rules that tell players when to hit, stand, double down, or surrender based on their hand and the dealer’s up card. While basic strategy does not guarantee a win, it does give players the best possible chance of winning in the long run.

Basic Strategy for Standing on 17

• If you have a hard 17 or greater, always stand.
• If you have a soft 17 (ace and six), stand if the dealer has two through eight showing. If the dealer has nine or higher showing, hit.

Conclusion

Knowing whether to stand or hit on a total of 17 can be tricky, but by considering factors such as hard vs soft hands, the dealer’s up card, and the rules of the game in question, players can make an informed decision. Ultimately, however, basic strategy provides players with the best possible chance of success at the blackjack table.