This is a close call regardless of dealer rules, but hit soft 17 games push the hand to the profitable side of the double down line. Dealer’s 2: Double down if permitted instead of standing. They apply to games from four to eight decks.

In addition, there are a couple of surrender plays that are different, should you land at the rare table where surrender is offered.Īssume a common multi-deck game in looking over these strategy variations. Two soft hands are played differently depending on whether the dealer hits soft 17. However, if you’ve learned basic strategy for stand on all 17s games, there are minor adjustments to be made. On most hands, the rules difference doesn’t affect players’ basic strategy. If players make standing hands, the best a dealer 17 can do is push a player 17. Seventeen is not a winning hand unless players bust.

That positive for players is outweighed by dealers getting the chance to improve on 17 without busting on the next card. Dealers bust more often when they hit soft 17 since they are hitting hands they’d stand on given different rules. Hitting soft 17 adds about two-tenths of a percent (0.20%) to the house edge. It will be noted on the blackjack table if the dealer hits soft 17