What Is a Hard 17 Blackjack?

Blackjack is a popular casino game that involves strategy and luck. One of the most important aspects of playing blackjack is knowing when to hit or stand. In this article, we will discuss what a hard 17 blackjack is and how it affects your gameplay.

Firstly, let’s define what a hard 17 is in blackjack. A hard 17 is a hand that does not contain an Ace, or if it does contain an Ace, the Ace is counted as one.

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For example, a hand consisting of 10 and 7 would be considered a hard 17. However, if the hand consisted of Ace, 6 and 10, then it would be considered as a soft 17 because the Ace can be counted as one or eleven.

Now that we know what a hard 17 blackjack is let’s dive into how it affects your gameplay. When playing blackjack, you are aiming to get as close to 21 without going over. A player with a hard 17 has a total of seventeen points which puts them in a tricky spot because hitting could lead to going over twenty-one.

If you have been dealt with a hard 17, you have two options – hit or stand. If you decide to hit and are dealt with an Ace (which can be counted as one), your hand becomes soft which gives you more flexibility in deciding whether to hit or stand again.

PRO TIP:A Hard 17 in Blackjack is when the total card value of your hand is 17 and is made up of only cards that are not an Ace, which cannot be counted as 1 or 11. Because the hand cannot be improved with an Ace, it’s best to stand on this hand in order to avoid going bust.

On the other hand, choosing to stand on a hard 17 means that you will not receive any additional cards and will have to hope that the dealer goes bust (exceeds twenty-one) or has a lower total than yours.

There are different strategies employed by players when dealing with hard 17 in blackjack. Some players choose to always hit on a hard 17 while others choose to always stand. However, these strategies may not always work because there are other factors like the dealer’s upcard that come into play.

One common strategy is to stand on a hard 17 if the dealer’s upcard is small (2-6) and hit if the dealer’s upcard is high (7-Ace). This strategy is based on the assumption that the dealer has a higher chance of going bust with a high upcard.

Another strategy is to always hit on a hard 17 if you are playing with multiple decks because it increases your chances of getting an Ace. However, this strategy may not work if you are playing with a single deck because there are fewer Aces in the deck.

In conclusion, knowing what a hard 17 blackjack is and how it affects your gameplay is crucial in making informed decisions when playing blackjack. While there may be different strategies employed by players, it ultimately depends on the situation and the dealer’s upcard. So, next time you are dealt with a hard 17, think carefully before deciding to hit or stand!