Soft hands
What to do with Ace 7 (soft 18)
Stand when the dealer shows 2, 7 or 8. Double down when the dealer shows 3 to 6. Hit when the dealer shows 9 to Ace. If you cannot double, stand instead.
These answers are for a 6 deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17, blackjack pays 3 to 2, and you can double on any two cards, including after a split.
Why
Soft 18 is an Ace and a 7, and it is the hand with the most different plays. Against a 3 to 6 it is good enough to double. Against a 2, a 7 or an 8, standing on 18 is right.
Against a 9, a 10 or an Ace, 18 is not enough, and since one card cannot bust you, you hit.
With three or more cards you can no longer double, so a double becomes a hit, and a double or stand becomes a stand.
The play against every dealer card
| Dealer shows | Your play |
|---|---|
| 2, 7 or 8 | Stand |
| 3 to 6 | Double, or stand |
| 9 to Ace | Hit |
Questions players ask
- What should I do with an Ace and a 7?
- Stand when the dealer shows 2, 7 or 8. Double down when the dealer shows 3 to 6. Hit when the dealer shows 9 to Ace. If you cannot double, stand instead.
- Can soft 18 bust?
- Not with one card. The Ace drops from 11 to 1 if it has to.
Related answers
- Soft 17 strategy: should I hit soft 17?
- What to do with Ace 8 (soft 19)
- Hard vs soft hands in blackjack
- When to double down in blackjack
- Blackjack basic strategy chart
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