Do you want to radically change the course of your Blackjack game? The Soft 17 is your ultimate weapon then. With this one rule in Blackjack, the player can not only positively influence the house edge but also gives the player a top hand on the playing strategy. There are multiple aspects of this rule and also several ways in which it can define the game on the part of the player and the dealer. Let us learn more about the Soft 17 rule.
The soft 17 refers to a Blackjack hand 17, including an Ace. The primary constraint of the rule is that – a player cannot bust a soft hand if more than one card is taken. There is another blackjack rule just opposite to the soft 17 and it is called a hard hand, in which the ace can be busted even if another card is taken.
There are several ways to bring the Soft 17 into action. The card which is most commonly played in soft 17 is Ace 6. But that is what most players do. If you want to know another way out of this – go for the Ace 3 card. If a player wants to improve the hand value by taking more cards they can use either the Ace 3-3 or the Ace 2-4 cards. The game patterns for Soft 17 and Hard 17 are totally different from one another. Soft 17 is the second most important rule in the game of Blackjack.
One of the biggest dilemmas in Blackjack players is – should they stand or hit the Soft 17 and how will doubling down affect the game. Well, before dealing with anything serious, here is a quick reminder of what a Soft hand is – it is any hand containing an ace and that is counted as 11. An Ace3-3, 2-2 Ace-2, and an Ace 6 – all will be considered soft hands. Also, it is crucial to consider whether you are playing a land-based casino or an online casino. It is best to move forward with the forefront basic play strategy of blackjack or go for counting cards. The latter is recommended only if you can handle the consequences and apply enough tactfulness.
Strategy for Best Outcome of Soft 17
Here are the best strategies to handle the soft 17 in Blackjack for the most profitable outcomes:
Standing on the Soft 17
Let us start with the cloud around standing on in the Spft 17 rule. Never stand on Soft 17. Yes, you heard that right. Regardless of the position and condition of your dealer’s upcard, standing solely on the soft 17 is part of a bad play. Look for the casino rules in this regard. It is clearly specified that the card dealer will hit the soft 17 to increase their house edge and the same often applies to the players. Hitting on soft 17 is always better than standing on soft 17.
Doubling Down on Soft 17
The logic behind so many players using the soft 17 as a stance to double up is yet not clear. Most people presume it is for outdrawing the dealer, but in reality, the idea is to take advantage of the dealer’s vulnerability to busting and gain the maximum money out of the situation. The dealers do not bust more if a situation of standing on soft 17 arises. This is solely because there is no risk for them on standing. Also, a dealer can never improve their hand if they stand on soft 17.
Final Thoughts
Whether in land or online casinos, if you can put the Soft 17 into effect suitably – there is nothing that can stop you from gaining profits.
Here are some pro tips and hacks to handle the Soft 17 in the best possible way:
- Don’t go for standing
- If the dealer’s upcard is in 3 with the combination of 2 through 6 in any single deck game, always choose to double down.
- If the dealer in any case shows a 7 or 2 ace, it is best to hit. For a single deck, doubling can help.
Blackjack is a highly profitable game and a favorite of many. The soft 17 rule can literally change the game direction and lead to unexpected gains and losses in the game. A golden tip for amateurs in the game is: do not opt for card counting in the Soft 17 rule if you can’t keep it up.
