When handed a soft 17, novice Blackjack players can become a little flustered, and even seasoned players can forget the best move to make next. Do I hit or stand? How about doubling down? Known as the Soft 17 rule, this vital component of Blackjack gameplay changes how the dealer will play as well as the overall house edge of the game. With this in mind, in today’s article, we will be exploring what a soft 17 means in Blackjack, as well as basic Blackjack strategy such as whether or not to stand on a soft 17 and whether or not the dealer stands on a soft 17.
What Soft 17 in Blackjack?
Put simply, a soft 17 is another phrase for a hand of blackjack that has an Ace and is worth 17. Because the Ace in Blackjack can be counted as both 1 and 11, soft 17 is a nice feature. Furthermore, even if the player draws another card, the hand cannot be busted. A good way to remember what a soft hand is to think of your Blackjack hands like a ball of clay. When the clay is soft it can transform into many different forms, but once it becomes hard it is set. Therefore a soft hand can shift in value due to the ace, while a hard hand's values are set in stone due to the lack of an ace.
Blackjack offers a variety of options to build a soft 17. For example, an Ace and 6 hand (Ace + 6) results in a soft 17. Moreover, depending on the game's regulations, a soft 17 can be formed with three or more cards. The Ace-4-3 and Ace-Ace-4-2 hands are two instances of this.
Soft 17 Rule Explained
While the dealer must follow a straightforward set of rules regarding how they respond to the cards they are dealt, as a player, you are free to do almost anything you want with your hand. The dealer can only stand on a Hard 17 (plus any value 18) or more but depending on the rules of the table you are playing at, they may be able to hit or stand on a soft 17. The rule that applies to a particular game is always indicated on the table next to the Blackjack odds.
Blackjack games in the UK all follow ‘S17’, meaning that the dealer draws to 16 and stands on any cards worth 17. The Soft 17 rule is primarily used in America, though this is not always guaranteed. Sadly, a lot of blackjack jargon can be misleading. Although it may seem that S17 is shorthand for the Soft 17 rule, it actually stands for "Dealer Stands on Soft 17", and "Dealer Hits on Soft 17" by H17, so keep this in mind if you peruse any Blackjack strategy tables.
Soft 17 vs Hard 17
The Ace is a true game-changer in Blackjack. It can represent a 1 or an 11, depending on which is better. The idea of hard and soft blackjack hands is based on the ace's distinctive ability.
A blackjack hand without an ace or with an ace that must count as one is referred to as a "hard hand". A blackjack hand with an ace, a seven, and a nine is known as a "hard 17." Observe that in this hand, the ace must count as 1; else, the hand would "bust" (i.e., go beyond 21).
An ace in a hand that counts as eleven is considered a "soft hand". A hand with an ace and a six is referred to as a "soft 17." A soft hand has the wonderful quality of always being able to hold another card without worrying about it going bust. For example, if you draw a 5, and you have a soft 17 your total will not become 22 (aka go bust) the ace in such a scenario automatically changes from an 11 to a 1, saving your hand.
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Soft 17 Dealers Impact
So what happens if the dealer lands a soft 17? Of course, this depends on the house rules that the player has to follow. If the dealer must hit on a soft 17 hand, their chances are impacted in two different ways. First, there is a greater probability of the dealer going bust if they hit on a soft 17-hand. But it also increases the likelihood that they will create a stronger hand.
The dealer's probability of busting in a soft 17-hand increases by 0.4% in several Blackjack games. However, they also have a stunning 0.80% increased chance of creating 18 or more at the same time. As a result, the dealer typically benefits more from the soft 17 rule than the player does.
Does the Soft 17 Rule Affect the House Edge?
Blackjack is known as a table game with a pretty low house edge, but the state of play can cause the percentage to shift a little. An H17 (dealer hits on soft 17) Blackjack game is better for the house, whereas an S17 (dealer stands on soft 17) Blackjack game is more advantageous for blackjack players. But in the grand scheme of things, what difference does it really make in the long run to play one game over another?
The house edge in an H17 versus S17 Blackjack game might change by more than 0.2% for players, given that all other regulations in both variants are the same. Even though this might not seem like a big sum, considering that the house edge on the majority of European Blackjack tables is only 0.7%, it is still a significant amount and something to consider when planning your optimal Blackjack strategy.
Blackjack Card & Table
When Dealt A Soft 17
We have given particular focus to what the dealer will do when dealt a soft 17, but what should you, the player do? Here are your options:
Standing on Soft 17
The fundamental tactic for standing on soft 17 is straightforward: never stand! It is always advisable to never stand on soft 17, regardless of the dealer's face-up card. Given that the majority of players think that 17 is a solid hand to stand on, that may appear strange. However, things are different when we talk about a soft 17 (and not a hard 17) because standing will cost you more than hitting or opting to double down.
Doubling Down on Soft 17
Many players do not take advantage of the chance to double down because they don't see the reasoning behind it. You double on soft hands mostly to increase the amount of money on the table when the dealer is at risk of busting, not so much to outdraw the dealer. The latter is more common when the dealer reveals an upcard with a low value (such as 3 through 6).
Recalling the fundamental approach to doubling down when on a soft 17 is simple.
- In games using two or more decks, you should double down if the dealer's upcard is one of three or six.
- When the dealer's upcard is one of the numbers two through six in a single-deck game, double down.
This is yet another reason why it is so important to study the rules of the table you are playing at before wagering money so you can easily bring important data like the number of decks used to mind.
Casino Blackjack Player
Multi-card Soft 17
Occasionally, you may hit after being dealt your two cards and end up with a soft 17 comprised of three cards such as the combination of 2-4-A (after you hit and draw an ace). If you possess a multi-card soft 17, you should hit because most land-based and online casinos' playing regulations forbid you from doubling down on a hand after you receive a third card.
Similarly, some online and physical casinos only permit players to double down when they have a hard hand, so you should always hit on a soft 17 if you have a multi-card soft 17 or if soft doubling is prohibited by the rules.
Hitting on Soft 17
The following are the fundamental guidelines for hitting a soft 17:
- Hit in games with two or more decks when the dealer's upcard is a two, seven, or an ace.
- Hit when the dealer's upcard is any of the seven-through ace in a single-deck game.
What happens next when you hit a soft 17 is determined by the dealer's upcard and the total of your hand. (To find out how to play your hand based on your total and the dealer's upcard, consult a basic strategy table.)
Final Thoughts
While Blackjack is still a game of chance, and therefore no outcome can ever be guaranteed, there are some fundamental statistics that can improve your odds. In order to be successful at online Blackjack games with the soft 17 rule, players must not only comprehend how hands are made but also know when and how to adjust their Blackjack approach. While novice players might not think much of the soft 17 rule, seasoned players are aware that it might have an impact on their odds of winning. Thus, the next time you play an online game of Blackjack, remember to take the soft 17 rule into account.
