Blackjack Strategy: What Does “Soft” Mean in Blackjack?
What do hard and soft mean in blackjack? It’s one of the first questions that novice players have about the game, as these terms appear frequently in most variations of blackjack, and you will encounter them online and offline. So, what do they mean, and how can blackjack hands be hard and soft?
What Does Soft Mean in Blackjack?
Soft blackjack hands contain an ace. It is the only card in the deck with two values, counting as either one or 11 and thus acting as both the highest and lowest cards. A hand is soft when the ace counts as 11; a hand is hard when it doesn’t contain an ace, or the ace counts as one.
So, let’s suppose that you are dealt an ace and a 5. You have either 6 or 16. As discussed in other articles, including in our blackjack guide, 16 is one of the worst hands in blackjack. It can be beaten quite easily, and as most dealers stand on soft 17, they will keep dealing until they beat you. With this in mind, you will probably want to hit. If you are dealt a 6 or higher, the ace would cause you to bust if it was worth 11, so it reverts to being a one.
At this point, the hand is hard, and you now have to draw more cards to try and hit a winning score.
Do Dealers Hit on Soft 17?
In most blackjack games, including many of the variants found in the BetUS blackjack section, the dealer will stand on soft 17. This means they will stand as soon as they reach 17, whether they get there with an ace or not.
If the dealer hits on soft 17, they have a better chance of improving their hand, which increases the house edge. Of course, this also means they have a higher chance of busting. But they will strengthen their hand more times than they bust, which gives them a slight advantage over standing on soft 17.
Soft 17 vs Hard 17 Blackjack
As noted above, a soft 17 has an ace that counts as 11, while a hard 17 either doesn’t have an ace or has an ace that counts as one. Another way of looking at it is that a hard 17 can bust with another card, whereas a soft 17 cannot.
What is Soft 18 Blackjack?
A soft 18 has an ace currently counting as 11, such as a hand with an ace and 7.
How Should You Play a Soft Hand in Blackjack?
As with all blackjack hands, the best way to play will depend on the dealer’s upcard. The more likely they are to turn a big score, the higher your score must be to beat them. Remember, the goal of blackjack is not to get to 21, as many people mistakenly believe. The goal is simply to beat the dealer. You can achieve that goal with any score or a dealer bust.
If you’re holding a soft 19 or 20, there are very few occasions in which you shouldn’t stand. You could take a chance and try to improve your hand, but your odds are slim, and you already have a good score, so why risk it?
If you have 17 or less, it’s a different story. Suppose, for instance, that you’re dealt an ace and a 6 to give you a soft 17. You may stand if the dealer is weak, but you’ll likely hit if they hold a 10 or ace. If you get a 10, you’re right back where you started, which isn’t too bad. Anything lower, and you have a reasonable chance of scoring a big hand when you hit again.
Summary: What Does “Soft” Mean in Blackjack Hands
In summary, a soft hand is a hand that includes an ace currently valued as 11, whereas a hard hand either doesn’t have an ace or has an ace that counts as one. Learning how to play these hands and understanding how the dealer plays them is essential for optimal blackjack strategy, so keep all of the above tips in mind the next time you pull up a seat at the blackjack table.
Blackjack Common Queries
What does soft mean in blackjack?
It refers to a hand containing an ace when it counts as 11.
Do dealers hit on soft 17?
Most games instruct dealers to stand on soft 17, which means they will draw to a hard or soft 17 and then stand. Some games instruct dealers to hit on soft 17, which increases the house edge but also increases the chance of a dealer bust.
What’s the difference between hard and soft in blackjack?
Hard hands don’t contain aces or aces that count as one; soft hands always contain aces, which are soft until the ace changes from 11 to one.
How does soft 17 compare to hard 17 in blackjack?
You have more options with a soft 17 than with a hard 17. For instance, there is no way for the hand to bust, as anything greater than a 4 will just cause that ace to switch to a one, and the highest you can score with this hand is a hard 17.
What are the rules for a soft 18 in blackjack?
Most casinos prevent players from doubling down on soft hands, so this may not be possible if you’re holding a soft 18. For most hands, you should stand on this score, especially if the dealer’s upcard is a 3, 4, 5, or 6. However, if they have a 9, 10, or ace, most strategies will tell you to hit and take your chances.
Which blackjack hands are considered soft hands?
There are many possible soft hands in blackjack, as it simply refers to a hand that holds an ace. For instance, a soft 13 is an ace and a 2, a soft 14 is an ace and a 3, and so on. If you have an ace and a 10, it’s not a soft 21, it’s a blackjack!
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