• Blackjack Rules Dealer Hits On Soft 17 In One
• Blackjack Rules Dealer Hits On Soft 17 In 1
• Hit On Soft 17
• Dealer Must Hit Soft 17

1. Nov 12, 2018  Changes to the rules conditions, especially when it relates to the dealer hitting a soft 17, affect the house edge. When a dealer hits a soft 17 instead of standing on it, the house edge goes up 0.2%. That doesn’t seem like much, but the difference between 0.56% and 0.76% in the above example is the difference between $7.84/hour and $10.64/hour.
2. 2-deck blackjack, also known as double-deck blackjack, is played with two decks and the dealer hits on a soft 17.The rules of 2-deck blackjack may be slightly different from one casino to the next. However, the dealer hits on soft 17. The first two cards are dealt to the player face down.

Pay close attention to the table rules before playing.

Blackjack is one of the most popular games featured at land and online casinos and while the game is relatively straight forward, there are game rules that differ with game variations and casino sites. New players have to be cautious of game rules, especially those pertaining to whether the dealer stands or hits on 17 hands. With basic game strategies, players can increase their chances of winning, but they may need to adjust these a bit when the blackjack game uses a soft 17 rule. Not every blackjack game has this rule in play, so it is important to determine the rules before betting at any table. The S17 and H17 rules can alter the player odds and can cause players to play their hands a bit differently to reduce the house edge.

The rule in whether dealers hit or stand can differ from one casino to another and can also differ when variations of the game are played. A soft hand is one that an Ace is used and players must make sure they understand these hands as well as the rules if they wish to be a successful blackjack player. Some players believe the Soft 17 rule to be a small matter, but it is a big deal since it alters the chances of winning.

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Many players do not recognise the difference with the soft and hard 17 rules and believe that hitting on a soft 17 will work in the favour of the player since the dealer will bust more often. This is true, but there is also a better opportunity for the dealer to improve their hand total. When the dealer is allowed to hit on a soft 17, there is a greater chance they will draw hands that equal 18 or better. The Soft 17 rule actually adds .22% to the house edge.

Differences in Basic Strategies

In standard blackjack games, most games will require the dealer to stand on a soft 17, but some rules allow for the dealer to hit, which will present players with different options that can increase payouts and the chances of winning. There is usually a surrender option when the Soft 17 rule is in play. This is often used when there is an ace displayed as the face up card. In some cases, surrendering a hard 15 or 17 hand when an Ace is shown is the best option especially when playing games that use multiple decks of cards.

It is important for players to be able to adjust their game strategies when the Soft 17 rule is used. Players should always double when they are holding a soft 18 and the dealer has any card that is valued 2 through 6. Players should also double on a soft 19 when the dealer shows a 6 card.

With a standard game where the dealer stands on soft 17 and is holding an Ace, most players will split their paired 8s instead of using the surrender option. With games that require the dealer to hit on the soft 17, the surrender option should be used. This is not a normal play for players, but it is one that will save money in the long run and will reduce the amount of losses that are incurred at the table.

What is a Soft 17 Hand?

To understand the rules of blackjack when the soft 17 rule is in place, players must have a complete understanding of what makes a soft hand. The soft 17 hand is created whenever an Ace is used in the hand. The ace can count as 1 or 11, so there are more chances for the dealer to be able to hit and achieve a better ranking hand. It does not matter how many cards are involved in the hand, as long as there is an Ace. With the Soft 17 rule, dealers must hit when they have a Soft 17, any hand combination that equals 17 using an Ace.

Summary

The Soft 17 rule is one that can drastically alter the outcome of games if players are not used to the rule. Since most blackjack games have dealers standing on all hands of 17, this rule allows them to hit, increasing the chances of getting a better hand than the player. Most players who have experience playing blackjack will avoid any game that uses the Soft 17 rule in order to have the best chances of winning and to be able to use the basic blackjack strategies without making any alterations. All blackjack games offer players some great chances to win, but for those that are looking for the best odds, stick to the games that do not use the Soft 17 rule. This rule adds a great advantage to the house, so it is best avoided whenever possible.

I know that the math says you should play at a table where the dealer stands on a soft 17, but sometimes those tables are difficult to find in Vegas anymore.
My question is this: If I am playing at a table where the dealer hits a soft 17, but during my play for however long, the situation never arises where the dealer has a soft 17, does that mean the percentages are the same as when a dealer stands on soft 17? So in other words, at a table where the dealer hits on a soft 17 those percentages are actually the same as where the dealer stands on a soft 17, until the situation arises where the dealer actually does hit on a soft 17?
The reason I ask is that many times when I play where the dealer hits a soft 17 the situation never actually arises. Therefore, I was wondering when those percentages and how you are 'suppose' to play the hands may or may not change depending on if the situation actually arises where the dealer does hit the soft 17.
If you have any thoughts or insight please let me know.

The dealer will be dealt a soft 17 in 2 of 169 situations or 1.18% of the time. There will be other situations where the dealer gets to a soft 17 (A-2-4, A-3-3, A-5-A, etc) about another 1.11% of the time. This means that the soft 17 should come into play about 2.3% of the time or once in 43 1/2 hands, or a couple of times per hour.
The fact that you don't see it often is just a function of the cards played. You should never alter the calculated strategy just because you don't see the soft 17 because it's out there.

Blackjack Rules Dealer Hits On Soft 17 In One

I am not sure what the strategy 'cost' is by following the stand on 17 vs the hit on 17 basic strategy tables.

I am not sure what the strategy 'cost' is by following the stand on 17 vs the hit on 17 basic strategy tables.

The difference between H17 and S17 is .2 % of your action. But if we're talking about the difference between playing BS in a S17 game using a H17 strategy, then the cost is negligible, as any strategy changes are very borderline, if I'm not mistaken.To answer your question, no it doesn't matter if the situation actually comes up.
If you play a 6:5 BJ game with (I believe) 2% disadvantage and never get a BJ. You were still playing at a 2% disadvantage, just because you never got a BJ is irrelevant.
Or if you play in a game where you can't double after split the house edge is still higher, just because you don't get the chance to do it in a given session also does not matter.

If you play a 6:5 BJ game with (I believe) 2% disadvantage and never get a BJ. You were still playing at a 2% disadvantage, just because you never got a BJ is irrelevant.

1.39%, for the Wizards benchmark rules ;)
To give a bit more reason as to why... The house edge is determined off of the math of the game with no hands, or infinite hands pending how you want to look at it. You are a 2% disadvantage. If you play for 2 hours and don't have a blackjack, you were still a 2% disadvantage because over the 'long run' of the game it will balance out to the predetermined math. I don't like to say this specifically, but for simplistic sake... If you have no BJ's for 10 sessions in a row it doesn't matter because by the time you reach 10,000 sessions you will have come closer to the average amount of blackjacks (law of averages) you should theoretically reach in that time frame. Meaning the 6/5 did hurt you all the same even though you didn't specifically see it in the first 10 sessions of your play.

The difference between H17 and S17 is .2 % of your action. But if we're talking about the difference between playing BS in a S17 game using a H17 strategy, then the cost is negligible, as any strategy changes are very borderline, if I'm not mistaken.

The Wizard says on the WoO blackjack BS page:

If you play a mixture of six-deck games, some where the dealer hits a soft 17, and some where he stands, and you only wish to memorize one strategy, I would recommend you memorize the one where the dealer stands on soft 17. The cost in errors due to playing the wrong strategy is 2.3 times higher playing a stand on soft 17 game, with the hit on 17 strategy, than vise versa.

There are six changes if surrender is offered, three if it is not. That's not a lot to learn.
H17 is not a deal breaker on a six deck game. Penetration and rules determine how playable the game is. Is anyone counting? The 0.22% increase in the house edge that H17 gives is at a count of zero. As the count rises, that percentage dwindles and that's when you have the money out.
It's about evaluating the game. It's not unheard of for a counter to bypass a S17 game in favor of H17. There was some talk of 6:5 in this thread but I'm referring to 3:2 only. I don't have a lot to say about 6:5 however there are those who say even that can be beaten.

how you are 'suppose' to play the hands may or may not change depending on if the situation actually arises where the dealer does hit the soft 17.

Blackjack Rules Dealer Hits On Soft 17 In 1

The only time the dealer wouldn't hit their soft 17 on a H17 table would be when all the player hands are already settled (due to busts or naturals).
The noticeable change is doubling (vs stand) A-8 vs 6.
As to how you're supposed to play your hand, you're supposed to play the way that's likely to win. That's following the right strategy chart, unless you have extra information.

The noticeable change is doubling (vs stand) A-8 vs 6.

For the casino I play, also doubling 11 v. A and A7 v. 2 changes. 15, 17 and 88 v. A change to surrender.

Hit On Soft 17

Edit: Changed A6 v. 2 to A7 v. 2. I tip my hat to 1BB for catching my mistake.If the unfavorable rules don't impact your particular play session, you were just lucky. Keep playing that game and they will. Eventually.

Dealer Must Hit Soft 17