Hard totals
Should I hit 17?
No. Stand on hard 17 against every dealer card. Soft 17, an Ace with a 6, is a different hand and is never a stand.
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
Any card from 5 up busts a hard 17. That is most of the deck.
Even against a 10 or an Ace, where 17 often loses, hitting it loses more. A soft 17 is different because the Ace can drop to 1, so you cannot bust it with one card.
The play against every dealer card
| Dealer shows | Your play |
|---|---|
| 2 to Ace | Stand |
Questions players ask
- Should I hit 17?
- No. Stand on hard 17 against every dealer card. Soft 17, an Ace with a 6, is a different hand and is never a stand.
- Should I hit soft 17?
- Yes. Soft 17 is a hit or a double. See the soft 17 page.
Related answers
- Soft 17 strategy: should I hit soft 17?
- Hard vs soft hands in blackjack
- Blackjack dealer rules
- Blackjack basic strategy chart
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