I like to assume that anyone reading one of my posts is starting at zero. I’m not doing exactly that here, because I’m not explaining in detail all the rules of casino blackjack.

But I do want to draw the distinction between hard hands and soft hands.

Blackjack is a simple comparing game where the player and dealer each start with a two-card hand. The one with the higher total points for their hand wins the bet, but only if they keep theirtotal to 21 or below. A total of 22 or higher is an automatic loss.

The cards have points based on their rank. The numbered cards have the same number of points as their numbers: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. The face cards (jack, queen, and king) are alsoworth 10 points each.

1. Nov 12, 2018  This is the best possible situation for the player as it relates to the soft 17 rule. And this rule doesn’t take into account whether the total is soft or hard. But in some casinos, at some blackjack tables, the dealer is required to hit a soft total of 17.
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The only exception is the ace. No one would blame you for thinking that an ace is worth 1 point. It is, in fact, in many situations, worth a single point.

Nov 12, 2018 This is the best possible situation for the player as it relates to the soft 17 rule. And this rule doesn’t take into account whether the total is soft or hard. But in some casinos, at some blackjack tables, the dealer is required to hit a soft total of 17. (Remember, a soft total of 17 is a hand which includes an ace.

But it’s also worth 11 points.

When you have a hand with no aces in it, you have a hard total. This means that the total is what the total is.

For example, if you have a jack and a 3, you have a hard total of 13. There’s no wiggle room there. That’s the total.

But if you have an ace and a 3, you have a soft total. That’s because the ace counts as 11, but if you get a card that would otherwise give you a total of 22, you can count it as a 1 instead.

With an ace and a 3, you have a soft 14. If you hit that hand and get a 10, you have a hard 14. (Any hand where the ace must be considered 1 point to avoid busting is also considered a hardhand.)

The strategy for a player with a soft hand as opposed to a hard hand is significantly different. Since you have that added layer of protection from busting, the right move is often to play a softtotal more aggressively.

But when we talk about a soft 17 “rule” in blackjack, we’re talking about how the dealer plays his hand.

How to Play a Soft Seventeen Total in Blackjack - Soft 17

Playing a Total of Soft 17

Double down if the dealer is holding a 3, 4, 5 or 6.

Otherwise take a hit.

Soft 17 In Blackjack

Reasoning

Vegas Blackjack Hit Soft 17

If the dealer's upcard is a 3, 4, 5, or 6, then she probably has a stiff hand, which means she has a good chance of going bust.

Blackjack Dealer Hits Soft 17

The highest card you can be dealt when you have a soft 17 is a ten, which gives you a new total of 17, which will beat a lot of dealer hands.

Blackjack Hit On Soft 17 Strategy

These two factors combined make doubling down a good way to get more money in action while you have an advantage.