Soft hands
Soft 17 strategy: should I hit soft 17?
Hit when the dealer shows 2 or 7 to Ace. Double down when the dealer shows 3 to 6. If the table will not let you double, hit 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 17 is an Ace and a 6. It looks like 17, but 17 only wins when the dealer busts or finishes lower, and the dealer never finishes lower than 17.
Because the Ace can drop to 1, one card cannot bust you. Double against a 3 to 6 and hit everything else. Never stand on soft 17.
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 or 7 to Ace | Hit |
| 3 to 6 | Double, or hit |
Questions players ask
- Should I hit soft 17?
- Hit when the dealer shows 2 or 7 to Ace. Double down when the dealer shows 3 to 6. If the table will not let you double, hit instead.
- Can soft 17 bust?
- Not with one card. The Ace drops from 11 to 1 if it has to.
Related answers
- What to do with Ace 5 (soft 16)
- What to do with Ace 7 (soft 18)
- Hard vs soft hands in blackjack
- When to double down in blackjack
- Blackjack basic strategy chart
Learn blackjack from someone who dealt it for 15 years
Card Sharp is a blackjack trainer built on our own system, taught by someone who dealt the game for 15 years. You play hands on your phone with play money and practice making the right play.