What Is a Soft and Hard 17 in Blackjack?

Blackjack is an age-old game that has been enjoyed by players for centuries. It is a game of strategy and luck, and one of the most important aspects of the game is understanding the different hands.

One of the most confusing hands in blackjack is the soft and hard 17. In this article, we will explain what a soft and hard 17 in blackjack means and how to play them.

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Firstly, let’s define what “soft” and “hard” means in blackjack. A soft hand is any hand that contains an Ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11 without busting.

For example, an Ace-6 would be considered a soft 17 because it can be counted as either 7 or 17. A hard hand, on the other hand, is any hand that does not contain an Ace or contains an Ace that can only be counted as one value without busting. For example, a 10-7 would be considered a hard 17 because the Ace can only be counted as one value (1) without busting.

Now that we have defined what soft and hard hands mean in blackjack, let’s discuss the differences between them.

PRO TIP:When playing Blackjack, a “Soft 17” is a hand that includes an Ace and any other cards totalling 6. This hand is also known as a “soft seven”. A “Hard 17” is a hand that includes any combination of cards totalling 17, without the Ace. It is important to remember this distinction as the optimal strategy for playing these two hands differ significantly.

A soft 17 gives players more options than a hard 17 when playing blackjack. When a player has a soft 17, they have the option to hit or stand.

This means they can ask for another card from the dealer or choose to stay with their current hand total. The decision to hit or stand will depend on various factors such as the dealer’s upcard and your overall strategy.

On the other hand, when a player has a hard 17, they must stand according to basic blackjack strategy rules. This means they cannot ask for another card from the dealer since there is a high chance of busting if they do so. When you have a hard 17, you should always stand unless you are playing in certain variations of blackjack where you can surrender.

It is also important to note that the dealer’s rules for soft and hard 17s differ from the players. In most casinos, the dealer must hit on a soft 17 and stand on a hard 17. This means that if the dealer has an Ace-6, they will hit until their hand total is 17 or higher, but if they have a 10-7, they will stand since it is a hard 17.

In conclusion, understanding the difference between a soft and hard 17 in blackjack is crucial to playing the game successfully. A soft 17 gives players more options since they can choose to hit or stand while a hard 17 means they must always stand according to basic strategy rules. Remember that the dealer’s rules for soft and hard hands also differ from players, so keep this in mind when playing at the casino.