Beating the Dealer: Handling Soft 17 Like a Pro

The iconic blackjack game has several exciting variations with different emphases, gameplay, and return-to-player percentages. However, one thing remains consistent; the blackjack hands. While each has its fair share of advantages, the soft 17 is peculiar, and knowing the answer to “does a dealer hit on a soft 17?” is essential for not losing every time.

A blackjack dealer often has a duty regarding what move to make with the soft 17 blackjack hand. The blackjack dealer soft 17 rule is a common topic of discussion among players. As a player, you can also profit from this hand if you know what to do. 

In today’s casino news, we focus on what Soft 17 is about, and what to do with it when the dealer hits on Soft 17.

Dealer Hits on Soft 17: How It Affects Your Blackjack Game

Blackjack is one of the oldest and most known casino games of all time. And the famous soft 17 is a hand with a total value of 17 that also contains an Ace. If you have an Ace and a 6, you have a Soft 17 hand. Other examples would be an Ace and two 3 cards, an Ace and a 4 and 2 card, and knowing to handle when a dealer hits on Soft 17 is part of your new strategy.

The card Ace is consistent because, according to most blackjack rules, an Ace can be used as either a one or an 11. Therefore, an Ace is considered the strongest card in any deck. With a soft 17, you get a high chance of getting close to 21. Let’s take a look at the rules guiding Soft 21. 

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Soft 17 Rules for Both Dealer and Player

The soft 17 rule can be applied on blackjack tables in two ways, depending on the rules that bind it. 

It is standard practice that the dealer is required to stand on a hard 17 in all situations. However, during a soft 17, the dealer’s poker strategy shifts sometimes.

Most modern tables state that the “dealer must stand on all 17”. This would cover both soft and hard 17. However, if the table states explicitly that the “dealer must stand on hard 17.” In this situation if he wants to, the dealer hits on soft 17 at liberty or even doubles down on a soft 17. Note, however, that a dealer hitting on Soft 17 gives the casino a lot more edge. That’s why dealers are not given that option most times. 

Dealer Hits on Soft 17: How to Play This Hand?

Do you hit, stand, or use the blackjack double down when dealt this hand? There are many choices, most of which have exciting benefits if you are successful and get an advantage. However, unlike the Texas Hold’em, where you play against other players, you need to know how best to beat the dealer in a soft 17 blackjack game.

Standing on Soft 17

The most fundamental tactic for dealing with soft 17 is never standing on one. No matter the dealer’s upcard, it is often a wrong decision. In a much better option, you can decrease the house’s advantage in your favor. if you hit.

Hitting a Soft 17

Hitting a soft 17 requires a primary strategy. You hit in this instance:

• Any time the dealer shows an upcard between 7 and the dealer ace in a game using a single deck.
• Anytime the dealer shows an upcard between 3 and the dealer ace in games using two or more decks.

How about when a dealer has a 2 through 6 in a single-deck game? That’s where doubling down comes in.

Doubling Down on Soft 17

Doubling down is an optimum strategy when the dealer’s upcard is either 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. This is best in a single-deck game. However, in a double-deck game, you should double down on a dealer’s 3, 4, 5, and 6 cards.

The Soft 17 Rule and Card Counting

Card counting is a great skill when playing blackjack, just like it is a great poker strategy against other players. It can help determine how many high and low cards remain in the deck. This enables you to adjust your stake size and play style in response to favorable deck conditions. In card counting for an S17 game, the True Count must be +1 or higher.

Final Thoughts 

The Soft 17 rule is a big part of blackjack hand regulations. You would find it printed on every table but standalone, it is never employed to raise the house edge. You can have your best blackjack games with you if you understand how soft hands function. Playing blackjack when you’re energized is always great, as it can be a demanding game. However, games like Pai Gow Poker are better when you want to relax and depend on your skill. 

Find other interesting content to learn how to dominate the Blackjack world, by visiting our casino guides section, next time you play at Slots Paradise Casino.

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