Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games around the world. Whether you are a seasoned player or a beginner, the question of whether to hit a soft 17 in blackjack can be quite confusing. In this article, we will explore what a soft 17 is and whether you should hit it or not.
Firstly, let’s define what a soft 17 is. A soft 17 is any hand containing an ace where the ace can be counted as either an 11 or a one. For example, an ace and a six would make a soft 17 as the ace can be counted as either an 11 or one.
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Now, should you hit a soft 17 in blackjack? The answer to that question depends on the rules of the game and the strategy that you are using. In some casinos, hitting a soft 17 is mandatory for the dealer while in other casinos, standing on a soft 17 is mandatory for the dealer.
If you are playing with rules that require dealers to hit on all hands with totals of less than or equal to 16 and stand on all hands with totals of more than or equal to 18, then hitting a soft 17 would be mandatory for the dealer. However, if you are playing with rules that require dealers to stand on all hands with totals of more than or equal to 17 (including soft hands), then standing on a soft 17 would be mandatory for the dealer.
Now comes the strategy part. If you are playing with basic strategy, which is mathematically proven to be the most effective way to play blackjack, then hitting a soft 17 is usually recommended. This is because there are more cards that can improve your hand than hurt it.
For instance, if you have Ace-6 (soft 17) and decide to hit and draw another card which happens to be a two; now your total becomes Ace-6-2 (totaling 19). This gives you a good chance of winning the hand. However, if you had stood on the soft 17, then you would have missed out on the opportunity to improve your hand.
On the other hand, if you are using a more advanced strategy like card counting, then your decision to hit or stand on a soft 17 may depend on the count. If the count is high, then it may be more advantageous to stand on a soft 17 as there is a higher chance of busting.
In conclusion, whether to hit or stand on a soft 17 in blackjack depends on the rules of the game and the strategy that you are using. If you are playing with basic strategy, then hitting a soft 17 is usually recommended as there are more cards that can improve your hand than hurt it. However, if you are using an advanced strategy like card counting, then your decision may depend on the count.
