What Is Ds and Rs in Blackjack?

Blackjack is a popular casino game that has been around for centuries, and it continues to attract millions of players worldwide. One of the things that make this game so interesting is the variety of terms and phrases used by players and dealers alike.

One such term that you may come across when playing blackjack is “Ds” and “Rs”. In this article, we will delve into what these terms mean and how they are used in the game.

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Firstly, let’s understand what Ds and Rs stand for. Ds stands for “Dealer stands on soft 17”, while Rs stands for “Dealer hits on soft 17”. These terms refer to the dealer’s rule for hitting or standing when they have a hand with an Ace that counts as 11.

In blackjack, an Ace can count as either one or eleven depending on the player’s hand. For example, if a player has an Ace and a six, their hand would count as either seven or 17. The latter is referred to as a “soft” hand because it can be counted as either seven or 17.

Now, let’s look at how Ds and Rs affect gameplay. When a dealer follows the Ds rule, they must stand when they have a soft 17.

PRO TIP:When playing Blackjack, the terms Ds and Rs refer to Doubling Down and Splitting, respectively. Doubling Down is when a player doubles their original wager after seeing their initial hand, while Splitting is when a player splits their hand into two separate hands in order to increase their chances of winning.

This means that if the dealer has an Ace-six combination, they will not take another card even if the player has a better hand. On the other hand, if the dealer follows the Rs rule, they must take another card when they have a soft 17. This gives them another chance to improve their hand and beat the player’s.

So why do some casinos use Ds while others use Rs? The answer lies in house edge.

House edge refers to the mathematical advantage that casinos have over players in games like blackjack. A lower house edge means that players are more likely to win, while a higher house edge means that casinos are more likely to win.

Studies have shown that the Ds rule gives players a slightly better chance of winning compared to the Rs rule. This is because when the dealer stands on a soft 17, they are more likely to bust (go over 21) if they take another card. Therefore, casinos that use the Ds rule have a lower house edge than those that use the Rs rule.

In conclusion, Ds and Rs in blackjack refer to whether or not the dealer hits or stands when they have a soft 17. The Ds rule means that dealers must stand on soft 17, while the Rs rule means that dealers must take another card.

Casinos use these rules to affect their house edge and give players either a lower or higher chance of winning. Understanding these terms can help you make better decisions when playing blackjack and increase your chances of winning.