When Must the Dealer Hit in Blackjack?

In blackjack, the dealer is required to hit on 16 and stand on 17. This means that if the dealer has a hand value of 16 or less, they must draw another card.

If the dealer has a hand value of 17 or more, they must stand.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. If the dealer has a soft 17 (a hand that includes an Ace counted as 11), they must hit.

Similarly, if the dealer is playing in a game with house rules that require the dealer to hit on a soft 17, they will follow those rules.

The reason for these rules is simple – it gives the house an advantage. By requiring the dealer to hit on 16, the house knows that there is a good chance the dealer will bust.

And by allowing the dealer to stand on 17, the house knows that there is a good chance the dealer will beat the player’s hand.

Of course, these rules can be advantageous for the player as well. If the player has a strong hand (like 20 or 21), they will want the dealer to hit so that there is a greater chance the dealer will bust.

Similarly, if the player has a weak hand (like 12-16), they will want the dealer to stand so that there is a greater chance the dealer will not beat their hand.

Ultimately, it is up to the player to decide whether to hit or stand based on their own hand and what they think the dealers hand is. However, understanding when the dealer must hit can give you an important edge in your decision making.