Blackjack is a popular casino game that has been enjoyed by millions of players around the world. There are different variations and strategies that players can use in order to increase their chances of winning at Blackjack. One such variation is the Soft Total Blackjack.
In this article, we will explore what Soft Total Blackjack is, how it differs from other variations of the game, and some strategies that you can use to increase your chances of winning.
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So, what exactly is Soft Total Blackjack?
A Soft Total in Blackjack refers to a hand that contains an Ace which can be counted as either 1 or 11 without busting. Therefore, a Soft Total hand cannot bust with one additional card. For example, if your hand consists of an Ace and a 6, your total value would be either 7 or 17 depending on how you choose to count the Ace.
Soft Total Blackjack is played just like regular blackjack with one major difference – in this variation of the game, the dealer must stand on Soft 17 (a hand containing an Ace and any combination of cards equaling six). In most other variations of blackjack, the dealer would hit on Soft 17.
The advantage for players in this variation arises from the fact that the dealer has less flexibility when it comes to hitting or standing on certain hands. This increases your chances of winning because it reduces the likelihood that the dealer will draw a card that will beat your hand.
Now that we understand what Soft Total Blackjack is and how it differs from other variations of blackjack let’s take a look at some strategies you can use to increase your chances of winning.
1. Always assume that the dealer’s hole card is worth ten
Assuming that the dealer’s hole card (the card facing down) is worth ten will help you make better decisions when it comes to hitting or standing. This strategy assumes that there are more ten-value cards (10s, Jacks, Queens and Kings) in the deck, which is a safe assumption to make because there are 16 of them in total.
2. Hit Soft 17
When you have a Soft 17 hand, it is generally better to hit rather than stand. This strategy allows you to try and improve your hand without risking busting. Remember that in Soft Total Blackjack, the dealer must stand on Soft 17, so hitting will give you an advantage because it allows you to draw closer to 21 without the risk of busting.
3. Double down on Soft hands
In Soft Total Blackjack, doubling down on a soft hand can be a very profitable strategy if used correctly. Doubling down means that you can double your initial bet after seeing your first two cards, but you will only receive one additional card.
If you have a Soft Total hand that equals either 13 or 14, it is advisable to double down as long as the dealer’s up card is either a five or six. If your hand equals 15 or 16 and the dealer’s up card is four through six, it’s still recommended to double down.
4. Stand on Hard Totals over 12
When playing Soft Total Blackjack, it’s important not to forget about hard totals (hands without an Ace). If your hand contains no Ace or an Ace worth one point only and has a total value of over twelve, standing is generally the best option as hitting may result in busting.
In conclusion, Soft Total Blackjack is an exciting variation of the classic casino game that offers players some unique advantages when compared to other variations of blackjack. By following these simple strategies mentioned above – assuming that the dealer’s hole card is worth ten, hitting soft hands when necessary, doubling down on specific soft hands and standing on hard totals over twelve – players can increase their chances of winning at this fun and thrilling variation of blackjack!
