What is a Soft 17 in Blackjack?

Soft 17 in blackjack refers to a hand with an eleven-point Ace. An Ace-6 hand, in particular, is known as Soft 17 in blackjack. Generally, a hand that contains an Ace is called a soft hand – soft 13 is a hand with an Ace-2, for example.

It is essential because you can count an Ace as either 1 or 11 in most blackjack games. As far as most blackjack variants go, Ace is first counted as an 11. However, when the hand exceeds 21, the Ace is counted as a 1. That makes an Ace so powerfully universal in the blackjack world.

An Ace is not just the only way to hit a blackjack (a hand worth 21 points); it also helps you avoid going bust and losing to the dealer. Every blackjack game and variant has well-defined dealer rules for Soft 17. They determine what the dealer should do – whether to hit or stand – on Soft 17. Blackjack variants that allow the dealer to stand on Soft 17 instead of hitting are favorable to players.

What Does a Soft 17 Look Like?

Examples of a Soft 17 hand include:

• Ace + 6
• Ace + 3 + 3
• Ace + 4 + 2
• Ace + 2 + 2 + 2

What is the Soft 17 Rule?

A soft 17 rule is a blackjack guideline that stipulates whether the dealer must stand or has to hit on soft 17. Some blackjack variants have this rule, while others don’t. Either way, the soft 17 rule will ultimately affect the way you should play your essential strategy.

For example, you should always hit a soft 17 against the dealer’s six and double down on a 5.

How To Play Soft 17 In Blackjack?

Here are strategies to apply:

1. Standing and Doubling Down with Soft 17: Typically, stand on a soft 17 if the dealer’s upcard is a seven or higher. Conversely, double down if the dealer’s upcard is a 3 through 6.
2. Hitting with Soft 17: Hit with a soft 17 when facing a dealer’s upcard of 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, or Ace.
3. Surrendering and Insurance with Soft 17: Surrender against a dealer’s Ace or 10 upcard. Insurance bets, if the house allows, can also be considered when the dealer gets an Ace.
4. Never Stand: Any player holding a Soft 17 must never stand. Your risk of going bust with a Soft 17 hand is basically zero, unlike when you have a Hard 17 hand. Besides, drawing an additional card can substantially boost your chances of beating the dealer.

Card counters are apt at making accurate predictions of the dealer’s hole card, enabling them to fine-tune their Soft 17 strategy.

Soft 17 Strategy Chart

If you have a Soft 17 hand, here are strategies you should follow regardless of whether the game has the Soft 17 rule or not:

Dealer’s Card	Decision
2	Hit
3	Double down
4	Hit
5	Double down
6	Hit
7	Hit
9	Hit

Soft 17 Vs. Hard 17

A Soft 17 is any hand worth 17 points created around an Ace (counted as an 11). The most common Soft 17 is an Ace-6 hand. But Ace-3-3, Ace-4-2, and Ace-2-2-2 also fit the Soft 17 definition.

A Hard 17 is a hand whose value is 17, but none of the constituent cards is an Ace counted as 11. That means a Hard 17 hand is created with an Ace worth 1, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, and so on. Examples include 6-10-Ace, K-7, Q-5-2, 10-7, etc.

• If you receive an Ace-6 (Soft 17), for example, you should always hit. 
• If you’re dealt a 9-8 (Hard 17), you should always stand.

One thing to remember is that a hard hand is one that (i) has no Ace or (ii) has an Ace(s), but they are counted as 1. If the Ace is counted as 11, it is said to be soft.

Soft 17 vs. Hard 17 Dealer Rules – How Do They Influence Your Gameplay?

Some blackjack games have rules specifying that the dealer has to hit on Soft 17. This rule will often favor the house as the dealer is likely to create a stronger hand. You should always check for this table rule before you decide to play a game because it eventually affects how you play basic blackjack strategy.

The influence of the rule is even less significant if you play at a table with fewer decks in the shoe. The majority of players will not go to great lengths to find blackjack tables and variants that don’t have the Soft 17 rule.

Moreover, blackjack games with a Soft 17 rule give the casino an insignificant advantage with a higher house edge. On the other hand, casino games with rules stipulating the blackjack dealer stand on Hard 17 will certainly not favor the dealer. 

Instead, the dealer greatly benefited from the rule because it could hit on a Soft 17 and draw another card. Because the Ace can be valued at either 1 or 11, both conditions enable the dealer to create a stronger hand without going bust.

Best Strategy for When the Dealer Must Stand on Soft 17

It depends on the value of the dealer’s up-card and the player’s hole cards. You should always have a basic strategy chart handy.

Soft blackjack hands are typically easier to deal with because hitting is almost always a safe bet. That said, there are a few instances when doubling down on the hand would be a good option. It would help if you doubled down when

• You hold a Soft 13 through 17, and the dealer shows a 5 or 6
• You have a Soft 15 through 17 against the dealer’s 4
• Your hand is a Soft 17 versus the dealer’s 3

If you are not allowed to double down by the table rules, you should consider hitting instead of standing on any hand from Soft 13 through 17.

What about Soft 18? If the dealer shows any card from 3 through 6, you should double down on Soft 18. Otherwise, you should hit or stand if the dealer’s up-card is an Ace, 10, or 9.

If you have a Soft 19 hand, it is often regarded as favorable, and you should always stand rather than hit. The same goes for a Soft 20 hand, such as Ace-9.

Dealer Stands on Soft 17 – When to Split?

Generally, you should split pairs in any blackjack game that calls for the dealer to stand on Soft 17. The big question is when splitting is not a wise decision. Again, it would be best if you considered the value of both the dealer’s up-card and the player’s hand as follows:

• Always split a pair of 2s or 3s against the dealer’s 4 through 7
• You should split a pair of 2s or 3s and then double down against the dealer’s 2 or 3 if the table rules permit that. If the game doesn’t allow doubling down after pair splitting, you should hit after splitting. Meanwhile, you should hit a pair of 2s or 3s if the dealer’s up-card is an Ace, 10, 9, or 8.
• Always split a pair of 4s and then double down if the dealer displays a five or a 6. Otherwise, you should hit after splitting if the rules don’t permit doubling down.
• You should only split a pair of 6s if doubling down is allowed after splitting against a dealer’s 2. If not allowed, you should hit. If the dealer shows 3 through 6, split a pair of 6s. Suppose the dealer’s up-card is an Ace, 10, 9, 8, or 7, hit on a pair of 6s.
• Always split a pair of 7s against a dealer’s 2 through 7. If the dealer shows any other up-card, you should hit it.
• Always split a pair of 8s.
• Always split a pair of 9s unless the dealer is showing an Ace, 10, or 7. In the latter case, you should always stand.
• Always split a pair of Aces

Best Strategy for When the Dealer Has to Hit on Soft 17

Most basic blackjack strategies can be used when playing variants that stipulate the dealer must hit on Soft 17. However, there are a few exceptions you need to keep in mind

• You should double down on Hard 11 against the dealer’s Ace up-card if doubling is allowed after splitting. Otherwise, you should hit.
• You should surrender on Hard 15 if the dealer is showing an Ace up-card. That’s if the surrender rule is available. If not, you have no choice but to hit.
• The same strategy applies when you have a Hard 17 against the dealer’s Ace up-card. You should surrender if surrendering is available. If not, your best option is to stand.
• When allowed, you should always double down on Soft 18 if the dealer’s up-card is a 2. If the doubling after a split option is unavailable, your next best bet is to stand. The same strategy goes for a Soft 19 hand against the dealer’s 6.

The same basic blackjack strategy for splitting should apply when the dealer has to hit Soft 17. The only exception is that you should surrender a pair of 8s if the dealer’s up-card is an Ace or split if the surrender option is unavailable.

Do I Hit a Soft 17?

Yes, you should always hit a soft 17. So, if you don’t hit a soft 17, the dealer is more likely to have a stronger hand than yours.

However, your best strategy is to ask for an extra card, hoping to increase the value of your hand to 18 or greater.

Do Casinos Usually Hit on Soft 17?

No. Casinos usually don’t hit on soft 17. Instead, they require the dealer to hit 16 or less and stand on soft 17 and higher.