If you have a winning blackjack hand, you get paid 3 dollars for every 2 that you bet, or 1.5:1 odds. In 6:5 you get paid $6 for every $5 you bet, which is 1.2:1 odds. It may seem like a small difference but it makes a huge difference in your expected outcome. A Soft Hand is the name given to any hand that contains an Ace and any other card, with the exception of a Ten valued card, if you are playing any type of Blackjack game and you are dealt an Ace and a Ten Card then you will of course have Blackjack and if that hand is not matched by the Dealer’s hand a winning payout of 3 to 2 will be coming. What is a soft 17 hand in blackjack? Blackjack is a staple table game as it is one of the most sought-after card games of all time. And over time, more and more people are seeking out the magical number 21 in online gambling sites. Blackjack Rule 5 – Hitting on Soft 17: When a player wants another card, it is called “hitting”. Dealers hit, too, and one of the most important rules is whether the dealer hits on a soft 17. Note: “Soft” is a hand with an Ace, meaning it can’t bust.

• What Does Soft Hand Mean In Blackjack Game
• Blackjack Soft Hands Trainer
• What Does Soft Hand Mean In Blackjack Hand
• What Does Soft Hand Mean In Blackjack Terms
• What Does Soft Hand Mean In Blackjack Machines

Blackjack soft 17 rule

What Is A ‘Soft 17’: An In-Depth Guide On Soft Hands In Blackjack

Over the years, blackjack has grown into one of the most popular games of chance in both online and land-based casinos. In a way, this action-packed card game is an all-American favorite. Meaning, you can play blackjack in US online casinos as well.

But, before you start playing blackjack for real money, it is important to learn the rules of the game.

For instance, it is vital to understand the concept of the so-called Soft 17 rule. Are you familiar with this rule?

Well, our in-depth guide will provide you with everything you need to know about soft and hard hands in blackjack. Moreover, we will explain the principles of blackjack strategy in relation to the soft 17 rule.

So, grab a pencil and start taking notes! Once you learn how to use the soft hands to your advantage, thousands of dollars could go your way.

Types of hands in blackjack

Even though blackjack is a one-of-a-kind game of chance, the rules of this card game are easy to understand. The goal of each hand in blackjack is to beat the dealer, i.e. to reach as close to the magical number 21 as possible, without going over it. If you go over 21, your hand will bust and the casino will take your bet.

In a game of blackjack, the cards have different values assigned to them. The cards from 2 through 9 have their face value, while the cards from 10 through K have a value of 10. And, then comes the Ace, the pivotal card in a game of blackjack.

The interesting thing about the Ace is that it changes its value from one moment to another, like a chameleon. In some situations, the Ace can be counted as 1. Yet, in other moments, you will count the Ace as 11. In a way, Ace is the most important card in online blackjack, so pay attention to this card when playing in a US online casino.

On top of that, the presence of the Ace determines the type of a hand in blackjack. As you know, the dealer will give each player two cards. If one of the cards is an Ace counted as 11 – the hand is soft. For example, the combination of an Ace and a six is called the soft 17. Likewise, a pair consisting of an Ace and a seven is called the soft 18, and so on.

On the other hand, a pair of cards without an Ace counted as 11 is called a hard hand. So, the combinations of 10+7 or 7+9+A are all examples of hard hands in blackjack.

In addition, we should quickly mention the third type – the so-called stiff hands. This particular term indicates that the combined value of your cards is 12 through 16. In short, stiff hands spell trouble for the player. Moreover, they often lead to tough calls or mistakes.

Soft 17 vs. Hard 17: How to play

Speaking of mistakes, it is crazy how many players are misplaying the soft 17 hands. In a way, this hand is famous for causing confusion, and that is why our comprehensive guide should resolve all your dilemmas. After that, you can play blackjack in some of the best New Jersey casinos with confidence.

In a nutshell, the main rule is that you should NEVER stand on soft 17! In other words, you should either hit or double down, depending on the dealer’s upcard. So, it is best to consult the basic strategy chart before making the move. In case you don’t know it yet, the basic strategy chart in blackjack can be an important ally.

When it comes to hard 17 in blackjack, the rule of thumb is that you should ALWAYS stand! So please, try to take at least these two things away from this article and remember them next time you play blackjack in one of the online casinos in the USA.

But, why you should stand on hard 17? Well, if you would take another card – the chances of going bust would skyrocket. Thus, it is best to sit tight and hope for the best when having a hard 17 combo in your hands.

To sum up, the soft 17 and hard 17 hands in blackjack are played in a different way. With that being said, let’s take a look at the available options when you receive a soft 17.

Double down

The main logic behind doubling down on soft 17 is to get more money on the table. However, you need to look at the dealer’s upcard before deciding to double down. In case the dealer is vulnerable to bust, channel your inner shark and go after the smell of blood.

To clarify, you should never miss the opportunity to double down when:

• The dealer’s upcard is 3 through 6 (2 through 6 in a single deck blackjack)

On the other hand, you should never double down when:

• The dealer’s upcard is 7 through Ace.

Needless to say, these ‘rules’ can vary from a casino to casino. For that reason, always make sure you are familiar with the casino rules for blackjack before playing the game.

Hit

As we already mentioned, one of the biggest mistakes when playing blackjack is to stand on a soft 17. So, you should either hit or double down. But, we already said that certain situations are not suitable for doubling down. Thus, your only remaining option is to hit, i.e. to ask the dealer to provide you with one more card.

To sum up, you should always hit when:

• The dealer’s upcard is 7 through Ace.

It is important to note that rules can also vary depending on the number of decks in the game. As you know, blackjack can be played with different numbers of card decks. We already mentioned the single deck blackjack, but New Jersey online casinos can offer multi-deck blackjack as well. In other words, the so-called shoe can contain six or even eight decks of cards.

Does the dealer hit on soft 17?

While we are on the subject of cards, it is important to explain the ‘behavior’ of the dealer when he or she receives a soft 17. In a game of blackjack, the dealer is also proactive and they need to make certain decisions as well.

Thus, the decision of whether to hit or stand on soft 17 is a big one for the dealer. As a matter of fact, this particular segment of the game is so important that the rule is typically written on the layout of the table. So, pay attention to the words written in front of the dealer.

As a rule of thumb, US online casinos will tell their dealers to stand on 17 or more. In all other cases, i.e. when they have 16 or more – the dealers should hit. Well, when it comes to the soft 17, things are a bit more complicated.

In recent years, more and more casinos are asking their dealers to hit on soft 17. By doing so, the dealers are increasing the house edge in favor of the casino by 0.20%. In translation, the house advantage ‘jumps’ from 0.56% to 0.63% when the S17 rule is in play at a 6-deck blackjack. Therefore, players should always be aware that the S17 rule favors the casino. With a higher house edge, the casino will win more hands in the long run.

The bottom line is – always try to play online blackjack in a casino where the dealers will stand on soft 17!

Key elements to remember when playing online blackjack

Online casinos in the US can provide players with exceptional service. For that reason, we recommend playing online blackjack at some of the best casinos in New Jersey. Not only that this method of playing is convenient and efficient, but it also comes with great potential for winning thousands of dollars. Of course, the potential comes from a wide array of casino bonuses that will await you at these online casino sites.

However, there are some things you should keep in mind when playing online blackjack. First and foremost, it is imperative that you sign up with a reputable and trustworthy casino. After that, it is best to play single deck blackjack because it offers better odds of winning. And, once you start playing – have in mind all the elements we mentioned earlier in the article. Also, some players decide to have a basic strategy chart somewhere within reach when playing blackjack. So, consider using this helpful tool as well.

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Final thoughts

All in all, the soft 17 rule is a concept that can make or break your hand when playing blackjack. Of course, skilled and experienced players are aware of the importance of this rule. That is why our guide can provide smart bettors with a convenient and comprehensive way to step up their game. By doing so, players can boost their odds of winning. In short, they could be leaving the blackjack table with a big smile on their face.

The following is a glossary of terms used in the card game blackjack. This is not intended to be a formal dictionary; precise usage details and multiple closely related senses are omitted here in favor of concise treatment of the basics.^[1][2]

8[edit]

Being told by a casino that you are being removed, generally due to suspected advantage play.

B[edit]

balanced count

Any counting system which has an exact balance between plus cards and minus cards. In such a system, if the deck were counted down to the bottom, the resulting sum would be zero.

blackjack

1. A card game in which players attempt to approach 21 but not exceed it

2. The best possible hand in the game blackjack, made up of an ace and a card valued at 10 (namely, 10, J, Q, K).

bust

Having a total over 21.

bust card

The individual card that brings the hand's total over 21.

basic strategy

A collection of actions that will offer the best odds off the top of the deck. These actions vary when different rules are applied to the game.

C[edit]

cut card

A brightly colored plastic card that serves to mark the point after which the dealer will reshuffle the cards, and used by a player to cut the cards prior to dealing.

D[edit]

What Does Soft Hand Mean In Blackjack Game

double or double down

After seeing their hand, a player can Double by placing an additional bet equal to their original bet and subsequently drawing one and only one additional card. This move may only be used on the first two cards.

E[edit]

even money

When the dealer shows an ace and the player has a blackjack, the player can opt for even money and is paid immediately at 1:1. This is just a version of insurance, not a different bet. If the dealer has blackjack, the hand is a push, but the player receives two times the value of the insurance, which is the same as the original bet. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the player wins 1.5 times the value of the original bet but loses the value of the insurance, and still ends up with the value of the original bet.

F[edit]

first base

The betting spot located to the dealer's left, which is first to receive cards.

A bonus or automatic win in some games when a hand contains five cards without busting.

H[edit]

hard hand

A hand in which there is a chance the player will bust on a hit.

hit

To ask for another card. If that extra card makes the total over 21, then the player busts.

hole card

A dealer card that is dealt face down and not revealed to players until after they have acted upon their hands.

I[edit]

insurance

When the dealer shows an ace, the player can choose to place a side bet of up to half the value of the original bet. If the dealer has blackjack, the bet pays 2:1. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the player loses the wager.

Blackjack Soft Hands Trainer

N[edit]

What Does Soft Hand Mean In Blackjack Hand

natural

Receiving a sum of 21 in the first two cards. A blackjack.

P[edit]

penetration

A number or fraction that represents how many cards/decks will be dealt before shuffling in contrast to the total number of cards/decks in play. It may be expressed in percentage form or as a fraction where the denominator is always the total number of decks in play such as '4.5/6' or '75% penetration'.

pitch game

A blackjack game dealt from the hand of the dealer, normally using 1 or 2 decks

push

A tie; the player and dealer have hands with the same total below 22.

S[edit]

shoe

A device used to hold multiple decks of cards typically 4, 6 or 8. Cards are dealt one at a time from the shoe.

shoe game

A blackjack game which is dealt from a shoe. Shoe games typically use more than 2 decks.

soft

A soft hand is a hand that includes an ace valued as 11, as opposed to 1.

split

If a player is dealt two cards of the same rank, they can choose to play each of them separately, putting up a bet for each one.

stand

To stop asking for more cards.

stiff

Any hard hand where the possibility to exceed 21 exists by drawing an additional card namely 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16

surrender

To surrender is to abandon your hand, while recovering half of your initial bet.

T[edit]

third base

The betting spot located on the dealer's right which is last to act.

What Does Soft Hand Mean In Blackjack Terms

U[edit]

What Does Soft Hand Mean In Blackjack Machines

upcard

The card that the dealer is showing.

References[edit]

1. ^Dalton, Michael. 'The Encyclopedia of Casino Twenty-One - Blackjack Review Network'. Blackjack Review Network. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
2. ^'Glossary of terms'. Retrieved 1 February 2018.