How Many Times Can the Dealer Hit in Blackjack?

In blackjack, the dealer is required to hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more. However, there are some variations of blackjack where the dealer is allowed to hit on a soft 17.

A soft 17 is a hand that contains an Ace being counted as 11.

In most cases, dealers are not allowed to split or double down, and they must hit on a soft 17. If the dealer has a natural blackjack (a two-card 21), he/she will usually pay 3-2 odds on your bet instead of the usual 1-1 odds.

If the dealer does not have a natural blackjack, then he/she will push (tie) with you if you also have 21.

Although there are a few variations, these are generally the rules for hitting and standing in blackjack. The basic strategy for hitting and standing can be summarized in a few simple rules:

Stand on hard 17 or more.
Hit on hard 16 or less.
Stand on soft 18 except hit against a dealer 9, 10, or Ace.
Hit on soft 17 or less.
Split 8s and Aces; don’t split 10s.

Double down on 11 except against an Ace.
Double down on 10 except against an Ace.
Hit on 9 or less.
Stand on 13-16 against a 2-6, hit against 7-Ace.

The above rules are based on mathematical calculations of expected value that take into account all possible combinations of cards in the deck. While there are other factors that come into play when making decisions at the blackjack table (e.g.

, gut feeling, betting systems), following these basic strategy guidelines will help you minimize the house edge and give you the best chance of winning money in the long run.

In summary, the dealer will usually hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more, but this can vary depending on the specific rules of the game being played. By following basic strategy guidelines, you can minimize the house edge and give yourself the best chance of winning money in blackjack.