What does a Soft 17 mean in blackjack?

If you are playing blackjack for the first time, you may well be wondering what the Soft 17 is and what role it assumes in the game. Well, at blackjack tables, an ace is worth 1 or 11, so you will have a few choices to play with.

However, if the dealer has a soft hand, he can choose to stand on the Soft 17, and the Soft 17 can be formed in a variety of ways.

In most blackjack games at the casino, a dealer must take a card if he hits 16 or below and stand at 17 or above.

But at some tables at casinos, a dealer must hit on a Soft 17 which means he can bolster his score of 21, and it is worth making a note of this. Of course, the level of risk rises too.

Blackjack rules Soft 17

The Soft 17 rule is applicable at virtually all casinos for which there are two prime variations. This will largely depend on the dealer’s behaviour. In all cases, a dealer must stand on a hard 17, however, if dealers have a Soft 17, for example, they could change tack.

As a player, there are no limitations placed on you when it comes to standing or hitting, but you should always take into account that you will be busting if you exceed 21.

Of course, some live casinos may deviate away from the traditional Soft 17 rules, but most tables will state that dealers must stand on all 17. This will include both a hard and Soft 17.

The Soft 17 blackjack rule, therefore, appears to be unequivocal in terms of what the dealer stands on, but it can impact the house edge.

A dealer who chooses to stand on a Soft 17 may end up giving a house edge to a player in a game. After establishing the decks and potential payout odds for hitting blackjack, the Soft 17 is an important rule that shouldn’t be understated. It is also a simple rule if you play blackjack regularly.

In the US, the Soft 17 rule is quite widespread and found at most tables, whereas in the UK, all blackjack games will be played to a Soft 17, so the dealer will draw to hands on 16 and stand on a blackjack hand that is equal to 17.

Difference between Soft 17 and Hard 17

At a basic level, playing with a soft hand can make a huge difference to the dealers. The level of risk naturally increases, as hitting on a Soft 17 will mean that busting is a more inevitable outcome, however, they could get a better hand and win.

A Soft 17 game is better for the player and the difference between a hard 17 and a Soft 17 could equate to an astonishing 0.2% house edge over the long term.

There will be one way to play a hand in games that carries the highest expected value. This, in turn, will determine the strategy you adopt for a game. Essentially, there will be a blueprint for how you should approach online games.

It is therefore important that players understand the rules and differences between strong and soft hands, so that they can put together winning combinations down the line.

Blackjack Soft 17 chart

To illustrate the Soft 17, we have provided a chart that explains what happens when you or the dealer stands or hits on the Soft 17. This cheat sheet should help you decide what to do when at the table.

The chart assumes the following rules and is determined by the following factors — you can have multiple decks, double down on any two cards while playing, double after a split is allowed, and the dealer stands on a Soft 17. This chart also has a key with S standing for Soft, H denoting hard, a D meaning double if otherwise allowed while X/H is counted as surrender if the casino permits it.

Dealer’s Card

Your Hand	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	X/H	H
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	X/H	X/H	X/H
17	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

How Blackjack Strategy Changes Based on the Soft 17 Rule

Ultimately, the Soft 17 rule will force you to adopt some basic blackjack strategy changes and we have outlined a few of them below.

Ascertain table rules

This is a basic blackjack strategy worth paying attention to. There will only be one way to play each hand, but the golden rule will be establishing the house edge and seeing which cards are counted if you are to avoid making any errors when you hit.

Surrendering is advised

While surrendering may sound like a negative online strategy, there are two examples of how it can be used effectively. Either do it on a hard 17, and if the option is unavailable, then stand.

Or if a player holds a hard hand worth 15, and the dealer’s upcard is an ace, then surrendering is recommended, otherwise hit.

Multi deck blackjack games

Although blackjack throws up plenty of different combinations, your underlying basic strategy might be affected at the casino when you play at a table where there is a multi deck game.

Your basic strategy will therefore be affected by whether the dealer needs to stand or hit on a Soft 17. All of these basic strategy examples will involve playing a hand more aggressively by doubling down. Single deck games are slowly a dying breed.

What effect does the Soft 17 rule have on the house edge?

With the Soft 17 rule, it stands to be a handy companion for the dealer. Indeed, the Soft 17 in blackjack, as mentioned, will tilt the house advantage to the casino by as much as 0.2%.

Therefore, if you are an astute player, you will try to avoid a table whereby a dealer can hit on a Soft 17. The Soft 17 can be a dealer’s get-out-of-jail card, so always make sure you are aware of this before proceeding.

Soft 17 strategy tips

Don’t hit a hard 17

Hitting on a hard 17 is a terrible idea as you will most likely go bust, so don’t take the extra card in the hope you will strike lucky. The best move would be to stick and see if you can force other players to go bust.

Know when to split

If you have a firm handle on the rules, then you can assess the dealer’s upcard before making a split. A good example of a split would be to do so if the dealer’s upcard is 4 through to 7.

Otherwise, play separately if doubling is allowed after a split and the dealer’s upcard is 5 or 6, in which case you should hit.

Soft 17 rule Blackjack variations

While you may become accustomed to the Soft 17 rule, sometimes players can double down or surrender especially if the dealer decides to hit on the Soft 17.

This basic strategy will depend on the hand of the dealer and the different combinations available on the table. Doubling down on a pair, for example, should be applied on a Soft 18 where the dealer has a two.

As explained, the splitting strategy will largely be the same, with the only slight difference being that a player should surrender against an 8,8 hand against the dealer’s ace.

Summary

While there are some subtleties connected with the Soft 17 rule, if players know how to construct hands, then they will increase their win rates. To avoid going bust, players will need to adapt their strategies if they want to hit more successfully.

Of course, some live casinos may deviate away from the traditional Soft 17 rules, but most tables will state that dealers must stand on all 17. This will include both a hard and Soft 17.

The Soft 17 blackjack rule, therefore, appears to be unequivocal in terms of what the dealer stands on, but it can impact the house edge.

A dealer who chooses to stand on a soft 17 may end up giving a house edge to a player in a game. After establishing the decks and potential payout odds for hitting blackjack, the soft 17 is an important rule that shouldn’t be understated. It is also a simple rule if you play blackjack regularly.

In the US, the soft 17 rule is quite widespread and found at most tables, whereas in the UK, all blackjack games will be played to a soft 17, so the dealer will draw to hands on 16 and stand on a blackjack hand that is equal to 17.

Difference between Soft 17 and Hard 17

At a basic level, playing with a soft hand can make a huge difference to the dealers. The level of risk naturally increases, as hitting on a Soft 17 will mean that busting is a more inevitable outcome, however, they could get a better hand and win.

A soft 17 game is better for the player and the difference between a hard 17 and a soft 17 could equate to an astonishing 0.2% house edge over the long term.

There will be one way to play a hand in games that carries the highest expected value. This, in turn, will determine the strategy you adopt for a game. Essentially, there will be a blueprint for how you should approach online games.

It is therefore important that players understand the rules and differences between strong and soft hands, so that they can put together winning combinations down the line.

Blackjack soft 17 chart

To illustrate the soft 17, we have provided a chart that explains what happens when you or the dealer stands or hits on the soft 17. This cheat sheet should help you decide what to do when at the table.

The chart assumes the following rules and is determined by the following factors — you can have multiple decks, double down on any two cards while playing, double after a split is allowed, and the dealer stands on a soft 17. This chart also has a key with S standing for Soft, H denoting hard, a D meaning double if otherwise allowed while X/H is counted as surrender if the casino permits it.

How Blackjack Strategy Changes Based on the Soft 17 Rule

Ultimately, the Soft 17 rule will force you to adopt some basic blackjack strategy changes and we have outlined a few of them below.

Ascertain table rules

This is a basic blackjack strategy worth paying attention to. There will only be one way to play each hand, but the golden rule will be establishing the house edge and seeing which cards are counted if you are to avoid making any errors when you hit.

Surrendering is advised

While surrendering may sound like a negative online strategy, there are two examples of how it can be used effectively. Either do it on a hard 17, and if the option is unavailable, then stand.

Or if a player holds a hard hand worth 15, and the dealer’s upcard is an ace, then surrendering is recommended, otherwise hit.

Multi deck blackjack games

Although blackjack throws up plenty of different combinations, your underlying basic strategy might be affected at the casino when you play at a table where there is a multi deck game.

Your basic strategy will therefore be affected by whether the dealer needs to stand or hit on a soft 17. All of these basic strategy examples will involve playing a hand more aggressively by doubling down. Single deck games are slowly a dying breed.

What effect does the soft 17 rule have on the house edge?

With the soft 17 rule, it stands to be a handy companion for the dealer. Indeed, the soft 17 in blackjack, as mentioned, will tilt the house advantage to the casino by as much as 0.2%.

Therefore, if you are an astute player, you will try to avoid a table whereby a dealer can hit on a soft 17. The soft 17 can be a dealer’s get-out-of-jail card, so always make sure you are aware of this before proceeding.

Soft 17 strategy tips

Don’t hit a hard 17

Hitting on a hard 17 is a terrible idea as you will most likely go bust, so don’t take the extra card in the hope you will strike lucky. The best move would be to stick and see if you can force other players to go bust.

Know when to split

If you have a firm handle on the rules, then you can assess the dealer’s upcard before making a split. A good example of a split would be to do so if the dealer’s upcard is 4 through to 7.

Otherwise, play separately if doubling is allowed after a split and the dealer’s upcard is 5 or 6, in which case you should hit.

Soft 17 rule Blackjack variations

While you may become accustomed to the Soft 17 rule, sometimes players can double down or surrender especially if the dealer decides to hit on the Soft 17.

This basic strategy will depend on the hand of the dealer and the different combinations available on the table. Doubling down on a pair, for example, should be applied on a Soft 18 where the dealer has a two.

As explained, the splitting strategy will largely be the same, with the only slight difference being that a player should surrender against an 8,8 hand against the dealer’s ace.

Summary

While there are some subtleties connected with the Soft 17 rule, if players know how to construct hands, then they will increase their win rates. To avoid going bust, players will need to adapt their strategies if they want to hit more successfully.