If you’re a seasoned blackjack player, you’ve probably heard the term “S17” thrown around. But if you’re new to the game, you might be wondering what it means and how it affects your gameplay.
In short, S17 stands for “Dealer Stands on Soft 17.” In blackjack, a soft hand is one that includes an Ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11 without busting. For example, an Ace and a 6 would be considered a soft 17 because it can either be counted as 7 or 17.
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So what does it mean when the dealer stands on soft 17? It means that when the dealer has a hand totaling 17, including an Ace that can be counted as either 1 or 11, they will stand and not draw any additional cards.
This is different from H17, which stands for “Dealer Hits on Soft 17.” In this scenario, the dealer will draw another card when they have a soft 17.
Now you might be wondering why this matters to you as a player. Well, the simple answer is that S17 is more favorable to the player than H17. When the dealer stands on soft 17, it reduces their chances of improving their hand and increases your chances of winning.
To put it into perspective, let’s take a look at some statistics. With S17 rules in place, the house edge is typically around 0.2% lower than with H17 rules. This may not sound like much at first glance, but it can make a significant difference in your overall winnings over time.
For example, let’s say you’re playing blackjack with a $10 minimum bet and an average of 60 hands per hour. With S17 rules in place, your expected loss per hour would be around $6.
With H17 rules in place, your expected loss per hour would increase to around $8.40. That’s a difference of $2.40 per hour, which might not seem like much, but over the course of a year it adds up to over $1,000.
So if you have the option to play at a blackjack table with S17 rules, it’s generally recommended to do so. Of course, there are other factors to consider as well, such as the number of decks being used and the specific table rules in place. But in general, S17 is more favorable to the player than H17.
In conclusion, S17 stands for “Dealer Stands on Soft 17” and it means that the dealer will not draw any additional cards when they have a soft 17 hand. This rule is more favorable to the player than H17, which stands for “Dealer Hits on Soft 17.”
When playing blackjack with S17 rules in place, your chances of winning are slightly higher and the house edge is slightly lower. So if you have the option to play at a table with S17 rules, it’s generally recommended to do so for better odds and higher potential winnings.
