What’s Soft 17 Meaning in Blackjack
A soft 17 in blackjack refers to a hand with an ace and one or more other cards that total 6, making the hand’s total either 7 or 17. The ace is counted as 11 in this context, but since it can also be counted as 1, the hand remains “soft.” But why does a soft 17 matter, and how should you play it? In this article, our experts explain everything you need to know about the soft 17 in Blackjack.
Why It’s Important to Know What a Soft 17 is?
There are two reasons to be mindful of the soft 17. First of all, “soft” nature of the hand means that drawing an additional card won’t result in a bust on the next draw, giving players a strategic advantage in deciding their next move.
Secondly, blackjack rules differ from game to game on whether the dealer will hit or stay on soft 17, which in turn affects the optimal blackjack strategy that you use.
Does Dealer Hit on Soft 17 in Blackjack
Blacjack games where the dealer stands on soft 17 are known as S17 and games where the dealer hits on soft 17 are known as H17 games. In the long run, S17 game is better for blackjack players than a H17 game, which favors the casino. This can contribute as much as 0.2% to the house edge, which is a really big difference, as it moves the blackjack house edge from 0.7% to 0.9% at most online blackjack tables.
In general, we can say that almost all American blackjack tables both online and in Vegas hit on soft 17. European blackjack, which can be found at multiple online casinos, stands on 17. Furthermore, there are a few other variations where the dealer hits on soft 17.
| Blackjack Game | Dealer Action on Soft 17 |
|---|---|
| American Blackjack | Hit |
| European Blackjack | Stand |
| Free Bet Blackjack | Stand |
How to Play a Soft 17
Should you stand, hit or double down on a soft 17 hand? It all depends on the dealer upcard and the rules of the specific game you’re playing. Below we’ve given a quick overview on how to play a soft 17 in blackjack, followed by a more detailed explanation:
- Never stand on soft 17
- Always double down when the dealer’s upcard ranges from 3 to 6 (or 2 to 6 in single-deck games).
- Hit if the dealer’s upcard is a 2, or anything from 7 to an ace (in single-deck, double down on 2 instead of hitting).
Don’t Stand on Soft 17
The golden rule here is to never stand on a soft 17, regardless of the dealer’s upcard. It might seem counterintuitive, as many believe 17 is a strong hand to hold. However, you’re more likely to lose money by standing than by hitting (or doubling). Remember, if the casino rule obliges dealers to hit on soft 17, it increases the house edge, meaning that hitting is also beneficial for players. Furthermore, as dealer will stand on 17, there are 5 dealer hands that you’ll lose to.
Doubling Down on Soft 17
People often overlook the chance of doubling down with soft 17. Doubling down on soft hands is not only good because you can overplay the dealer but also because you can increase the bet after you see that the dealer is likely to bust, particularly with low-value upcards (e.g., 3 through 6). Here’s how to double down effectively:
- In games with multiple decks, double down when the dealer’s upcard is between 3 and 6
- In single deck blackjacks, double down for dealer’s upcards of 2 through 6.
What to do with a Multi-Card Soft 17
In instances where you hit and end up with a soft 17, such as being dealt a 2-4, hitting, and drawing an ace (resulting in 2-4-A), you might not have the option to double down due to casino or game rules. If you find yourself with a multi-card soft 17, or if the rules restrict soft doubling, your best move is to hit.
Soft 17 in Blackjack FAQ
- Can I split a soft 17?
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No, splitting in blackjack is only allowed when you are dealt two cards with the same value. - What's the difference between soft 17 and hard 17?
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A hard 17 is any combination of cards totaling 17, where one of the cards is not an ace, such as K,7 or 8,9. A soft 17 is when one of the cards is an ace (A) and the other cards total value is six, such as A,6 or A,3,3.
