Blackjack is a popular casino game that requires skill and strategy to win. One of the rules in blackjack that can be difficult to understand for beginners is soft 17. In this article, we will explore what soft 17 is, how it works, and how it affects your blackjack strategy.
Firstly, let’s define what a soft hand is in blackjack. A soft hand is any hand that has an ace with a value of 11.
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For example, if you were dealt an ace and a six, you would have a soft 17 (ace + 6 = 17). The reason why it’s called a “soft” hand is because the ace can be counted as either one or eleven depending on the player’s choice.
Now let’s talk about the dealer’s hand in blackjack. In most casinos, the dealer must hit until they reach a total of 17 or higher. However, there are two different types of hands that the dealer can have when they reach this total – hard 17 and soft 17.
A hard 17 is any hand that has no ace or an ace with a value of one. For example, if the dealer had a ten and a seven, they would have a hard 17 (10 +7 = 17). In this case, the dealer must stand because hitting would cause them to bust (go over 21).
On the other hand, a soft 17 is any hand that has an ace with a value of eleven. For example, if the dealer had an ace and a six, they would have a soft 17. In this case, the dealer must hit because there’s no risk of going over 21 since they can always count their ace as one instead of eleven.
So how does this affect your blackjack strategy? Well, if you’re playing with basic strategy (a set of rules designed to minimize the house edge), you should always hit a soft 17. This is because hitting gives you a chance to improve your hand without the risk of busting.
However, when it comes to the dealer’s soft 17, things get a bit more complicated. In some casinos, the dealer must hit on soft 17 while in others, they must stand. The rule variation can have a significant impact on your chances of winning.
For example, if the dealer must hit on soft 17, it increases their chances of making a better hand and beating you. On the other hand, if they must stand on soft 17, it reduces their chances of improving their hand and gives you an advantage.
So how do you adjust your strategy based on the rule variation? If you’re playing at a casino where the dealer hits on soft 17, you should be more conservative with your hits and try to make hands that can beat the dealer’s potential improved hand. On the other hand, if you’re playing at a casino where the dealer stands on soft 17, you can be more aggressive with your hits since there’s less risk of busting.
In conclusion, understanding how soft 17 works in blackjack is essential for developing an effective strategy. Always remember to hit a soft 17 when playing and adjust your play based on whether or not the dealer must hit or stand on their own soft 17. With these tips in mind, hopefully, you’ll be able to improve your blackjack game and walk away from the table with more winnings than losses.
