How to Play a Soft 17 in Blackjack?

In Blackjack, understanding the concept of Soft 17 is crucial for improving your gameplay. A Soft 17 is any hand that includes an Ace valued as 11 and adds up to 17, such as Ace + 6. This rule impacts both the player's and the dealer's strategies, influencing key decisions like when to hit, stand, or double down. By mastering the nuances of Soft 17, players can significantly enhance their overall odds and minimize the casino's advantage.

What is Soft 17 in Blackjack?

Understanding the difference between Soft 17 and Hard 17 is essential for making informed decisions in Blackjack.

What Soft 17 mean?

A Soft 17 is a hand that includes an Ace valued as 11, which brings the total to 17. For example, an Ace + 6 is a Soft 17. The key advantage of a Soft 17 is its flexibility: the Ace can be counted as 1 or 11, allowing the player to avoid busting if they choose to hit.

Soft 17 vs. Hard 17

A Hard 17 (such as 10 + 7) offers no flexibility because there is no Ace, or the Ace must be counted as 1 to prevent busting. This makes the Hard 17 less versatile compared to the Soft 17, where the Ace can adjust based on the situation. The flexibility in Soft 17 makes it a more strategic hand for both the player and dealer.

You can refer to a dedicated article for more detailed explanations if you're unfamiliar with the difference between soft and hard hands.

Player Strategy for Soft 17

When playing with a Soft 17, making the right strategic choices is key to improving your odds in Blackjack. The following tips will help you know when to hit, stand, or double down.

When to Hit or Stand

Your strategy should change depending on the dealer's upcard:

• Hit against dealer’s 7 through Ace. These strong dealer hands make hitting necessary to improve your hand without busting.
• Stand against dealer’s 2 through 6. These are weak cards, increasing the chances of the dealer busting, so it's safer to stand.

If you don't master these basic moves you can consult our article on hit and stand.

When to Double Down

• Doubling down is the best move when the dealer shows weak cards like 3, 4, 5, or 6. These cards make the dealer vulnerable, and doubling your bet can maximize your potential winnings.

Game-Specific Variations

Certain game rules, like the number of decks in play or whether doubling after splits is allowed, can influence how you should approach Soft 17. For example, in multi-deck games, you may want to be more aggressive when hitting or doubling.

Basic chart to play a soft 17

If you're interested in detailed blackjack strategy charts, you can consult a dedicated article for more specific scenarios.

Dealer Rules and How Soft 17 Affects the House Edge

Understanding how the dealer’s actions with a Soft 17 influence the game can help players make better decisions and manage risk.

Dealer Stands on Soft 17 (S17) vs. Dealer Hits on Soft 17 (H17)

In Blackjack, the rules for Soft 17 vary by game. In some versions, the dealer is required to stand on Soft 17 (S17), meaning the dealer cannot take additional cards once they hold a hand totaling 17 with an Ace. In other versions, the dealer must hit on Soft 17 (H17), continuing to draw cards until reaching at least a hard 17.

Impact on House Edge

• S17: This rule is favorable to the player because the dealer is less likely to improve their hand. The dealer stands with a potentially weaker hand, which slightly reduces the house edge.
• H17: When the dealer is required to hit on Soft 17, it gives the casino a small advantage. The house edge increases by approximately 0.2%, making the game more advantageous for the house. This seemingly small percentage can have a meaningful impact on long-term play.

Real-Life Example

For a player staking $10,000 over time, the difference between an H17 and S17 game can result in about $20 more in losses when playing on an H17 table. Although this amount may seem minor, it adds up significantly with consistent play.

Myths and Misconceptions About Soft 17

There are several myths and misconceptions surrounding Soft 17 in Blackjack that can lead players to make suboptimal decisions. It's important to clarify these to ensure effective gameplay.

Debunking Common Myths

One common misconception is the idea that "Never hit on Soft 17 because it’s risky." Many players believe that hitting could lead to busting or a weaker hand.

• Truth: In reality, hitting on Soft 17 is often the optimal strategy, particularly when the dealer’s upcard is 7 through Ace.
• The flexibility of the Ace allows you to hit without the same risk of busting that comes with a hard hand.
• Hitting on Soft 17 can increase your chances of reaching a stronger hand, such as 18 or higher, against strong dealer upcards.

Other Misconceptions

Another false belief is that Soft 17 is a weak hand. Some players see it as less favorable because it doesn’t seem as strong as other hands like hard 18 or higher.

• Truth: The flexibility of Soft 17 actually gives players more control.
• The Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11, offering room for adjustment based on the next card drawn.
• Compared to a rigid Hard 17, Soft 17 allows for more strategic decisions and often leads to better outcomes.

Final advice

Understanding the rules and strategies around Soft 17 is essential for improving your Blackjack game. By knowing when to hit, stand, or double down, players can make more informed decisions and reduce the house's advantage. Adapting to specific dealer rules, such as whether they hit or stand on Soft 17, is crucial for optimizing your strategy. Mastering these nuances allows players to take advantage of the flexibility in Soft 17, giving them better control over outcomes and increasing their chances of winning.