Soft 17 Rule Explained

Dealer Hits Soft 17 vs. Stands Soft 17

The casino's decision on whether dealers hit or stand on soft 17 significantly impacts the house edge:

When a dealer stands on soft 17, it's better for the player. Always seek S17 games if possible. Most casinos use H17 rules to increase their edge, so know which rule applies where you play.

Player Soft 17 Strategy

As a player, you should always HIT soft 17 against any dealer upcard. Here's why:

• If you hit and get a 10, you make 27 which becomes a hard 17 (counts as 7+10)
• If you hit and get a card 2-8, your soft hand improves
• If you hit and get a 9, you still have 16
• The only negative outcome is drawing a 9 or higher face card on your second draw

Standing on soft 17 leaves you with a hand that's beaten by many dealer totals (18, 19, 20, 21). Hitting gives you a chance to improve without risk of busting immediately.

Example: You hold A-6 (soft 17). You hit and get a 4, making A-6-4 which now counts as 21 (A counts as 1, so 1+6+4=11, wait... A-6-4 = Ace, 6, 4 = 11+6+4=21 when ace is 11, or 1+6+4=11 as a soft hand). Actually, A-6-4 = 11 (the new hand). Let me recalculate: if you have A-6 and hit a 4, you now have three cards. The Ace can be 1 or 11. If Ace is 11: 11+6+4=21! If Ace is 1: 1+6+4=11. So this becomes a hard 21. Much better than soft 17!

Soft 17 Doubling and Splitting

Basic strategy includes soft 17 variations for doubling down:

• Double A-6 against dealer 3-6 — You're hoping to make 17-21
• Double A-5 against dealer 4-6 — Better odds when dealer is weak
• Double A-4 against dealer 4-6 — Similar logic to A-5

Never split a pair of Aces into two separate hands? Wrong! Aces should ALWAYS be split. Two soft 11s have much more potential than one soft 12.

Game Rule Variations

Different casinos may have different rules. Here's how they affect your play:

Always look for S17 rules when possible. If choosing between 6 deck S17 and single deck H17, the single deck edge is usually worth it.

Practice Soft 17 Decisions

Use our blackjack trainer to practice soft 17 scenarios. You'll encounter many soft 17 hands during regular play, and mastering the correct play is crucial to minimizing the house edge.