Does a Blackjack Dealer Have to Hit?

In the game of blackjack, the dealer is required to follow a strict set of rules dictating when they must hit and when they must stand. One such rule is the so-called “hard 17” rule, which stipulates that the dealer must hit on any hand with a value of 17 or less.

This may seem like a simple enough rule to follow, but there are actually a few different ways that a blackjack dealer can end up with a hand that totals 17 points. For example, if the dealer is showing a 7 and drAWS an Ace, they will have to hit because their hand totals 17 points.

 Exclusive BlackJack Casino Offers: 

However, if the dealer is showing an Ace and drAWS a 6, they will have to stand because their hand totals 21 points.

PRO TIP:Blackjack dealers must hit on a soft 17 (a hand containing an Ace and a 6) but are not required to hit on a hard 17 (a hand without an Ace). This means that if the dealer is showing a hard 17, they may choose to stand or they may choose to hit depending on the house rules.

The main reason why the dealer must hit on a hard 17 is because it gives them a better chance of winning against the player. If the player has a hand that totals 18 points or more, they will likely win the hand unless the dealer also has a very strong hand.

However, if the player has a hand that totals 16 points or less, they will almost certainly lose to the dealer unless the dealer also has a very weak hand.

In conclusion, blackjack dealers must hit on any hand with a value of 17 or less in order to give themselves the best chance of winning against the player.