What Is a Soft 18 in Blackjack?

Blackjack is a popular casino game played by millions of people all around the world. It involves using strategy and skill to beat the dealer and win big.

One of the most important aspects of playing blackjack is knowing when to hit, stand, or double down. And one of the most confusing hands in blackjack is the soft 18. In this tutorial, we will explore what a soft 18 is in blackjack and how to play it.

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Firstly, let’s define what a soft hand is in blackjack. A soft hand is any hand that contains an Ace which can be counted as 11 without busting (going over 21). For example, an Ace-7 hand would be considered a soft 18 because it can be counted as either 18 or 8.

Now that we understand what a soft hand is, let’s look at why a soft 18 can be difficult to play correctly. The reason for this is because if you hit and get any card valued at 10 (such as a King, Queen, or Jack), you will bust (go over 21). However, if you stand, you may not have a strong enough hand to beat the dealer.

PRO TIP:When playing blackjack, soft 18 (an ace and a 7) is a hand that should be hit when the dealer’s upcard is 9, 10, or Ace. It also has a higher chance of winning than hard 18 (two 8s). This is because if the dealer busts with a hard 18, you only win 1-to-1 while if you hit soft 18 and the dealer busts, you win 3-to-2.

So what should you do with a soft 18? The correct play depends on the dealer’s up-card.

If the dealer has a 9, 10 or Ace showing, then you should always hit your soft 18. This is because even if you get a card valued at 10 and bust, your odds of winning are still quite low with such a weak hand against the dealer’s strong up-card.

On the other hand, if the dealer has any other up-card (2-8), then it’s best to stand on your soft 18. This is because statistically speaking, when the dealer has a weak up-card like this, they are more likely to bust than make a strong hand.

It’s also worth noting that if you are playing in a game with different rules, such as a game where the dealer hits on soft 17, then your strategy for playing a soft 18 may change. Always make sure you understand the specific rules of the game you are playing before making any decisions.

In summary, a soft 18 in blackjack can be a tricky hand to play correctly. Knowing when to hit and when to stand depends on the dealer’s up-card and the specific rules of the game you are playing. By following these guidelines, you can improve your chances of winning big at the blackjack table.