Does a Blackjack Dealer Have to Hit on 16?

Most blackjack games require the dealer to hit on a soft 17, which is a hand made up of an Ace counting as 11 and any other number. But what if the dealer is dealt a hard 16? Does he have to hit in this case?

The answer is no, the dealer does not have to hit on 16. In fact, in most cases it is better for the dealer to stand on 16.

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The only time the dealer should hit 16 is when the player has a soft 17 or lower, as this gives the dealer a better chance of winning.

PRO TIP:In Blackjack, the dealer must hit on 16. This rule is in place to reduce the chances of the dealer getting a strong hand, and to increase the chances of players winning. Therefore, regardless of whether or not the dealer has a strong hand, they must always take another card when their score is 16 or lower.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. If the player is dealt a hard 17 or higher, then the dealer should hit in order to try and beat the player.

And if the player is dealt a soft 18 or higher, then the dealer should also hit in order to try and get closer to 21 without going over.

In general, though, it is better for the blackjack dealer to stand on 16 rather than hitting.