How to Play Soft 17 in Online Live Dealer Blackjack

If you're a seasoned casino player in South Africa, then blackjack soft 17 is a term you'll likely recognise. Often, players get a bit mixed up about whether to stand, hit, or double down when faced with this particular hand. This guide will break down this blackjack strategy in detail and show you how to play it like a pro.

What Exactly is a Soft 17 Rule in Blackjack?

A soft 17 hand, or S17, is any hand in a blackjack game where one of your cards is an Ace counted as 11. For example, a hand with an Ace and a 6 is a soft 17. The same applies to hands like Ace + 3 + 3 or Ace + 2 + 2 + 2.

The basic strategy for playing an Ace + 6 is quite different from a hand with a 10 + 7. Although both add up to 17, the former has an Ace, making it 'soft'. A 10 + 7 hand, which lacks an Ace, is considered a 'hard' 17 in the blackjack world.

It's crucial to remember that an Ace offers a lot of flexibility at the blackjack table. Since it can be valued as either a 1 or an 11, it gives you the option to adjust your hand total depending on the situation.

How to Play Your Soft 17 Hand Effectively

As mentioned, many players aren't quite sure what to do when dealt a soft 17. Don't stress, as you generally have a few smart options at your disposal:

• Don't stand; always hit or double down.
• Double down when the croupier's upcard shows a 3 through to a 6. In a single-deck game, you can extend this to doubling down when the upcard is a 2 through to a 6.

Just to clarify, standing in blackjack means you're happy with your current total and end your turn. Hitting means asking the dealer for another card. Be careful, though – going over 21 results in a bust, and you lose your hand.

Why You Shouldn't Stand on Soft 17

The basic blackjack strategy against this hand at a live online casino is never to stand, regardless of the dealer’s upcard. While most players believe that standing on a 17 is a good move, it’s actually the opposite because you may end up losing more money than hitting.

Still not convinced, right? Okay, some casinos require the dealer to hit a soft 17. Reason? The house edge increases tremendously. So equally, the player should hit at S17 rather than stand.

Doubling Down on S17

Many novice blackjack players don’t double down because they understand nothing about this strategy. But here is the thing; you should double down to induce more funds on the table, as the croupier is more vulnerable to busting at this stage.

In a multi-deck game, you should double down if the dealer has a low-value upcard ranging from 3 to 6. For a single-deck game, always double down if the upcard is 2 to 6.

How the Soft 17 Rule Affects the House Edge

First of all, the house edge is the advantage in percentage that the house has in all wagers you make. So, suppose the blackjack game has a 0.50% house advantage; it means the house will walk away with $0.50 on every $100 wager you make. Note that this is whether you win or lose.

Now, if your average bet size is $30 playing 50 hands per hour, you need to calculate your expected loss per hour. Below is the math:

$30/hand x 50 hands/hour x 0.50% = $7.50/hour

With these numbers in mind, the dealer hitting S17 increases the house advantage by at least 0.2%. As small as this number might be, it increases your hourly loss to around $10.50, going by the example above.

Comparing Soft 17 and Hard 17 Strategies

What is Hard 17?

Hard 17 is a blackjack hand that does not contain an Ace counted as 11. It could be a combination like a 10 and a 7 or a 9 and an 8. The 'hard' part implies that the hand has a fixed value; hitting on a Hard 17 carries a high risk of busting.

• Strategic Approach: Playing a Hard 17 requires a more conservative approach. The standard strategy in most live online blackjack games is to stand on a Hard 17. The risk of exceeding 21 is too high to justify taking another card, and standing gives you a chance to win based on the dealer's hand.
• Understanding Dealer Rules: It's also vital to understand how the dealer plays a Hard 17, as this can influence the overall house edge and your strategy.

Dealing with Soft 17 and Hard 17

• Soft 17: Given its flexibility, players often choose to hit when dealt a Soft 17, seeking to improve the hand without the risk of busting. The strategy can change based on the dealer's visible card, with players sometimes standing if the dealer shows a weaker hand.
• Hard 17: Conversely, the strategy for a Hard 17 is typically more conservative. The common advice is to stand, as the risk of busting is high with any additional card. The strength of the dealer's hand can influence this decision, but standing is usually the safest bet.

Adapting your gameplay based on whether you have a Soft or Hard 17 is a key skill in live online blackjack. It influences both the immediate decision-making and overall gameplay strategy.

Conclusion

Up to this point, you now know a few things about the soft 17 rule. However, it takes more than just reading on paper to master this strategy. So, start by sharpening your skills on the free demo versions before risking anything in a live dealer room.