Understanding what different blackjack hand combinations mean, and the best actions to take with each one differentiates a pro from an amateur most of the time, as you can learn at our online casino.
The soft 17 is one of the sweet hands to have in a game round. However, how does it compare to other hands? For example, in soft 17 vs 3, what should you do?
Today’s casino news discusses what you can -and should- do when you have a soft 17 and the dealer has a 3.
Soft 17 vs 3: Hit, Stand, or Double Down in Blackjack?
What is a soft 17 in blackjack? Soft 17 is a blackjack hand that sums up to 17 due to the presence of an Ace. An example of a soft 17 is the Ace and a 6.
It’s called “soft” because of the Ace card, which can be valued as either a 1 or an 11. If you use the one value of the Ace, that hand becomes a 7, which gives you the chance to take more cards without the fear of going bust.
Other variations of the soft 17 include the Ace + 3 + 3, Ace + 4 + 3, Ace + 5 + 2. There is also a hard 17, which doesn’t include an ace. It is termed “hard” because taking an additional card puts you at risk of busting your hand. There are different actions to take with hard vs soft blackjack hands.
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Actions To Take When You Get a Soft 17
In blackjack, the dealer and players have different actions to take with a soft 17. So, does dealer hit on soft 17? While players can choose to hit, stand, or double down, many casinos mandate that a dealer must hit on a soft 17.
So, what do you do when you have a soft 17 as a player? The essence of having a blackjack strategy with different hand possibilities is to maximize your winning potential. That said, there are a few rules to always have in mind.
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Do not stand
It is often advised to avoid standing on soft 17, no matter the dealer’s up card. While most players see 17 as a good enough hand to play against the dealer, statistics show that you will lose more money standing than taking other actions. This may be why many casinos rule that dealers must hit on soft 17.
Hit on 17
Hitting on soft seventeen is the better strategy. That’s because it improves your play and increases your chances of winning. The analogy is that only 5 of the 13 cards in a deck can make your hand go bad. These are the 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. The rest either improves it or leaves it as it is.
Double down when you can win
Doubling down is also a good play since the soft 17 is a good hand to have. You can improve it while still having a good chance of increasing the amount you can win. However, you should only double down when you’re sure it’s the best move. Observe the dealer’s hand.
Soft 17 vs 3 upcard
It would be best to double down when you have a soft 17 vs 3 upcard of the dealer. This is because the 3 upcard falls within the numbers that can make a dealer go bust. If a dealer has upcard numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, there’s a high chance they can go bust.
You can capitalize on the dealer’s weak upcard by doubling down while increasing your chances of winning. However, some game rules limit doubling down to when a dealer has a hand of 9, 10, and 11. This means you would have to stick to hitting when the dealer has a 3 card.
The Results of Hitting or Doubling Down On Soft 17
The best result of hitting and doubling down on a soft 17 vs 3 upcard of the dealer is getting an Ace, 1, 2, 3, and 4. These cards improve your hand and give you the perfect chance to win the game. It’s often best to stand on these hands and watch the dealer’s cards unfold.
Fair outcomes would be getting a 10, K, Q, and J. These hands can turn your soft 17 into a hard 17. In this instance, it’s often best to stand and hope the dealer goes bust.
The worst outcomes would be getting a 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. These cards give you an outcome of 12 through to 16, making your hand worse than the soft 17 you started with. You should always stand when playing against the dealer’s 3 upcard with these hands. If they have other upcards that don’t fall into the category of 2 through to 6, you can try hitting again to improve your hand, especially with the 12, 13, and 14 hands.
Core Takeaway
While nothing beats having a natural 21 from your two-hole cards, having a soft 17 vs 3 of the dealer is equally a good position in a blackjack round. It increases your chances of landing a tangible payout. However, you must still be mindful of the different scenarios on the board and act accordingly.
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