How Do You Play Soft 17 in Blackjack?

When it comes to playing blackjack, one of the most common questions that players ask is how to play soft 17. Soft 17 is a hand that contains an Ace and a 6, which can be counted as either 7 or 17.

This can be confusing for players, especially those who are new to the game. In this article, we will explore the different strategies for playing soft 17 in blackjack and help you make the right decisions at the table.

What is Soft 17?

Before we dive into the strategies for playing soft 17, let’s first define what it is. As mentioned earlier, soft 17 is a hand that contains an Ace and a 6. The reason why this hand is called “soft” is that the Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11 without busting your hand.

For example, if you have an Ace-6 hand and draw a card with a value of 10 (such as a King or Queen), your hand would have a value of either 17 (if you count the Ace as one) or 27 (if you count the Ace as eleven). Since going over 21 would result in an automatic loss (also known as busting), counting the Ace as one would be more favorable in this scenario.

Playing Soft 17

There are two different strategies for playing soft 17 in blackjack: hitting and standing. Let’s take a closer look at each strategy and when they should be used.

• Hitting: This strategy involves taking another card to improve your hand’s value. In general, hitting on soft 17 is recommended when the dealer’s upcard is between two and six.
• Standing: This strategy involves keeping your current hand without taking another card. In general, standing on soft 17 is recommended when the dealer’s upcard is a seven or higher.

Why Does the Dealer’s Upcard Matter?

The reason why the dealer’s upcard matters when playing soft 17 is that it can give you an idea of what their hand might be. For example, if the dealer’s upcard is a six, they have a good chance of busting if they draw another card. This means that hitting on soft 17 would be less risky since you have a higher chance of improving your hand without going over 21.

On the other hand, if the dealer’s upcard is a ten or an Ace, they have a strong hand and are less likely to bust. This means that standing on soft 17 would be more favorable since you have a better chance of winning the hand by keeping your current value.

Conclusion

Playing soft 17 in blackjack can be confusing at first, but with practice and experience, you will learn when to hit and when to stand. Remember to pay attention to the dealer’s upcard and use it as a guide for making your decisions at the table.

In summary, hitting on soft 17 is recommended when the dealer’s upcard is between two and six, while standing on soft 17 is recommended when the dealer’s upcard is seven or higher. By following these strategies, you can increase your chances of winning at blackjack and make smarter decisions at the table.