How to Play a Soft 18 in Blackjack?

Soft 18 is one of the most misunderstood hands in blackjack, often leading to costly mistakes by players. While it may seem straightforward, playing this hand correctly requires a solid understanding of basic blackjack strategy and how different factors, such as the dealer’s upcard and game rules, affect your decisions. In this article, we’ll break down the nuances of playing soft 18 and provide strategies to maximize your chances of winning.

What is a soft 18 in Blackjack ?

Many players frequently misplay a soft 18 in blackjack. A common mistake is confusing a hard 18 with a soft 18. Both hands total 18, but a soft 18 must include an Ace and either a 7 or a combination of 5 and 2. Remember, the Ace counts as 11 in this case. Read our article on soft hands and hard hands first if you're unsure of the difference.

So playing a total hand of 18 doesn’t always count as a soft 18.

• For example, playing 10-8 is a hard 18.
• Another example is playing a whole hand of 18, whereby the ACE counts as a 1 as in 5-9-A-3.

Soft 18, which is one of the strongest hands of this game, is classified that way becauseit offers a high probability of winning the hand against the dealer, and allows for multiple options. In a case where you’ve soft 18, you have several playing options which you have to choose carefully:

• Double down
• Hit or Stand

Which pick would be the best option of the three variables?

When playing blackjack, to be able to find out for sure which option would be the best to pick when you’ve soft 18 depends on the following variables:

• The dealer's up card is weak or strong
• The rules of the game matters; whether or not the rule specify that the dealer must hit soft 17 or the dealer most stand soft 17
• Whether or not the soft 18 hand you’re dealt has two or more than two cards
• The number of decks of cards you’re up against also matters

Strategy for playing Blackjack Soft 18

Under this basic strategy for playing the required soft hands, we’d be looking at the most straightforward blackjack strategy for playing a soft 18 in online casinos and brick and mortar casinos.

Double Deck and Multiple Deck Games

In a double-deck and multiple deck game, when the dealer stands on soft 17, you’re to do the following:

• If the dealer’s upwards is either a 3, 4, 5, or 6, then you should double down on soft 18,
• Another scenario is when the dealer upwards is either a 2, 7 or 8; you’re advised to stand on soft 18,
• If the case is that the dealer’s upcards is either a 9, 10, or ACE, you’re encouraged to hit soft 18. (Note, in multi cards, there are some exceptional cases in a double-deck where choosing hit wouldn’t be the best strategy)

Single Deck Games

In a single deck game, when the dealer stands on soft 17, you’re to do the following:

• If the dealer’s upcard is either a 3, 4, 5, or 6, we advise that you double down on soft 18
• In another scenario, if the dealer’s upcard is either a 2, 7, 8, or ACE, we advise you to stand on soft 18
• Again, if the dealer’s upcard is either a 9 or 10, we recommend that you hit on soft 18

Why Is This Strategy Recommended for Playing Soft 18 in Blackjack?

By following this basic strategy, you'll reduce losses and improve your chances of winning compared to alternative strategies. For example, let’s look at a scenario where you have a soft 18 against a dealer’s 10 in a six-deck game with the dealer standing on soft 17. Ignoring ties, here are the expected outcomes:

• If you stand, you have a 59% chance of losing and a 41% chance of winning.
• If you hit, your odds slightly improve, with a 57% chance of losing and a 43% chance of winning.
• If you double down, the probability changes significantly: you have a 63% chance of losing and a 37% chance of winning, but with double the potential reward when you win.

While doubling carries a higher risk of losing, it offers a greater payout when you win. In comparison, hitting gives you a 2% better chance of winning than standing, resulting in a net 4% advantage. Therefore, hitting or doubling can be better options depending on how much risk you're willing to take.

A final Advice

Mastering the strategy for soft 18 in blackjack can greatly improve your overall performance at the table. By following the recommended strategies and considering key factors such as the dealer’s upcard and game variations, you can make smarter decisions that increase your likelihood of success. Whether you choose to hit, stand, or double down, understanding how to approach soft 18 will give you a critical edge and help minimize your losses over time.

If you want to learn more about making the best decisions in blackjack, check out our article featuring the most useful blackjack charts.