Blackjack is more than just a game of chance. It is a skill-based game that involves strategy and a great understanding of the rules. There is a lot to understand and think about, especially if you are considering complex betting systems and strategies for playing blackjack online.
Among the many subtleties of playing blackjack online, knowing the difference between the soft rule of 17 and the hard rule of 17 in blackjack is vital for any player.
In this article, we will delve into the topic of the 17 soft and hard dealer rules in blackjack, and explore the importance of this rule and its impact on a winning blackjack strategy.
What is soft hand 17?
The 17 soft and hard rules indicate to the trader. Essentially, they both refer to the dealer’s hands in blackjack, which, depending on the soft/hard rule used, dictate the dealer to go forward or stand.
But let’s move first to the hand. What is soft hand 17?
A soft 17 is a hand that contains an ace (with a value of 11), plus a 6. The value of an ace in blackjack can be either 1 or 11. In other words, an ace adds flexibility to the game. Hence, since the value can be changed, every hand that contains an ace in the game is considered a soft hand.
Therefore, an ace + 6 hand is a soft hand with a value of 17 as its value can be either 7 or 17.
This flexibility allows players the freedom to choose whether they want to stand or hit. Unlike a strong hand, players can actually decide whether they want to hit with less risk of going over 21 (bust).
What is the hard hand 17?
A hard 17 hand is the exact opposite of a soft 17 hand.
A strong hand – in this case a hand that totals 17 – is a hand that does not contain an ace, meaning it is either 10+7 or 8+9. In plain English, it is called a “hard” hand because there is no way to escape the fact that the sum is 17, which means you are close to 21 and therefore easier to fail if you hit.
The fact that there is no room to maneuver prevents players from looking for creative strategies to win because they need a card less than 5 to win – and no other card can help them.
If you still have an ace in your hand, its value must be 1 to make 17. In either case, the best thing you can do is stand in this position because you do not want to risk losing by going bankrupt.
Soft base 17 vs hard base 17
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: Soft 17 and Hard 17 Blackjack rules.
The rules refer to the dealer, or more precisely, the decision the dealer will make once he has a soft 17/hard 17 or higher.
In general, the dealer can either stand on the hard 17 only, or stand on both the soft 17 and the hard 17. In either case, they stand on the hard hand, while some tables use the rule of standing on the soft hand as well.
Naturally, any hand higher than 17 automatically means they stand as well. So, in short, if the dealer only stands on the hard 17 but hits if the 17 is soft, this is the hard 17 rule. Casinos often design it as H17 because it is shorter.
On the other hand, if a player stands on both hands, i.e. on soft 17 and hard 17, then the Soft 17 rule applies – or S17 for short.
How does this rule affect blackjack strategy?
In fact, many things can affect your blackjack experience, so it is important to take everything into consideration to formulate a sound blackjack strategy. It’s not uncommon to switch strategies mid-round if you change your mind, but we advise against doing so if you can help it.
But back to our topic. How does the soft/hard 17 hand rule affect the round – and therefore your strategy?
For starters, the Hard 17 rule, where the dealer taps Soft 17 but stands on Hard 17, gives the dealer an opportunity to draw another card and perhaps get closer to 21.
On the other hand, the Soft 17 rule, where the dealer stands with both hands, limits the dealer and benefits the player more than the dealer.
In short, one is player-friendly and the other is dealer-friendly (or house-friendly). This is why it is very important that you choose wisely which table you will sit at while choosing the next blackjack table to play at.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between hard and soft rules in blackjack may not be pivotal but it is certainly of great importance if you intend to play blackjack a lot. It’s not just about understanding the numbers – this can greatly impact your experience, so it may become necessary to adapt your strategy based on the rule.
No matter you are a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, knowing and internalizing these rules will undoubtedly have an impact on the way you play – it is the kind of make-or-break situation where you can influence wins or losses more often.
So, next time you hit an online blackjack table, pay attention to the dealer’s hand, and choose the table you want to sit at wisely! For more tips and tricks on playing blackjack online, check out our strategies and articles.
