How Do You Play Blackjack With Soft Hands?

Blackjack is a popular casino game that involves strategy and luck. One of the key elements of the game is knowing how to play soft hands. In this article, we will explore how to play blackjack with soft hands and give you some tips on how to improve your game.

First, let’s define what a soft hand is in blackjack. A soft hand is any hand that contains an Ace which can be counted as 1 or 11 without busting (going over 21). For example, an Ace-6 hand would be considered a soft 17 since it can be counted as either 7 or 17.

Now that we know what a soft hand is, let’s talk about the basic strategy for playing them. The most important thing to remember when playing with a soft hand is to always hit if your hand total is less than 18. This gives you the best chance of improving your hand without going over 21.

However, if your total is between 18 and 21, then you should stand. This is because you have a strong enough hand already and any additional cards could potentially cause you to bust.

If the dealer has a weak upcard (2 through 6), then it may be beneficial for you to double down on your soft hands of 13 through 18. This means that you double your original bet and receive one additional card. This strategy works well when the dealer has a weak upcard because they are more likely to bust.

Another important strategy when playing with soft hands is to never take insurance. Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer has an Ace showing and it pays out at odds of 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. However, taking insurance actually increases the house edge and decreases your chances of winning in the long run.

It’s also important to know when not to split your soft hands in blackjack. Generally speaking, you should never split Aces since you have a strong hand already and splitting them could potentially weaken your position. However, if you have a pair of 8s, it may be beneficial to split them since 16 is a weak hand and two hands of 18 give you a better chance of winning.

In summary, playing blackjack with soft hands requires a combination of strategy and luck. Remember to always hit if your hand total is less than 18, stand if it’s between 18 and 21, and double down if the dealer has a weak upcard.

Avoid taking insurance, never split Aces, but consider splitting pairs of 8s. By following these tips, you can improve your chances of winning at blackjack with soft hands.