Does the Dealer Stop at 17 in Blackjack?

In blackjack, the dealer has to follow specific rules when it comes to hitting or standing. These rules are designed to give the casino a small house edge, and they also ensure that the game is fair for both the player and the dealer.

One of the most important rules is that the dealer must stop at 17.

This rule is in place because hitting on 17 gives the dealer a big advantage over the player. If the dealer were to hit on 17, they would likely bust more often than not, which would give the player a huge advantage.

However, by stopping at 17, the dealer gives up this advantage and instead gives the player a slightly better chance of winning.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. If the player has a blackjack, then the dealer must hit on 17.

Also, if the dealer is showing a soft 17 (a hand with an Ace that can be worth either 1 or 11), then they may choose to hit or stand. But in all other cases, the dealer must stop at 17.

So does this mean that you should always stand on 17? Not necessarily. If you have a hand that is likely to bust if you hit (such as 12-16), then you should probably stand.

But if you have a hand that has a good chance of winning if you hit (such as 18-20), then you should definitely hit.

The bottom line is that you should always make your decisions based on what is most likely to give you the best chance of winning. And in most cases, that means standing on 17 when the dealer has to stop at 17.