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DE Hit Soft 17
When you play Blackjack, the dealer is not free to choose what to do. The casino sets fixed dealer rules, and one of the most important is Hit Soft 17, often written as H17. This rule tells you what the dealer must do when they have a special type of 17\. Knowing it helps you understand why some tables feel tougher than others.
Soft 17 Explained in Plain Language
A soft hand is a hand that includes an Ace counted as 11\. It is called soft because the Ace can switch from 11 to 1 if needed, so the hand cannot bust as easily. A soft 17 is any hand that totals 17 with an Ace counted as 11, such as:
- Ace \+ 6 (this is the classic soft 17);
- Ace \+ 2 \+ 4;
- Ace \+ 3 \+ 3\.
Even though the total is 17, the Ace gives the dealer more flexibility than a hard 17, like 10 \+ 7 \- the dealer can safely take another card without risking an immediate bust.
What “Hit Soft 17” Means for the Dealer
Hit Soft 17 means the dealer must take another card when their total is a soft 17\. If the dealer improves to 18, 19, 20, or 21, they stop as normal. If the new card forces the Ace to become 1, the hand becomes a hard hand and continues under the standard dealer rules.
Some tables use the opposite rule called Stand on Soft 17, often written as S17. In that version, the dealer must stop on soft 17\. H17 is usually slightly better for the casino \- typically adding about 0.2% to the house edge compared to S17 \- because the dealer gets more chances to improve.
A Simple Casino Situation
You are playing at a table that uses Hit Soft 17\. You have 18 (10 \+ 8), and you stand. The dealer reveals Ace \+ 6, which is soft 17\. Under H17, the dealer must hit and draws a 3\. Now the dealer has Ace \+ 6 \+ 3 \= 20, because the Ace can still count as 11\. You lose even though the dealer started at 17\. If the table used Stand on Soft 17, the dealer would have stopped at 17, so your 18 would have beaten the dealer without the extra hit.
FAQ
How can I tell if a table uses Hit Soft 17?
Look for a sign on the table or in the game info that says “Dealer hits soft 17” or “H17.”
Does Hit Soft 17 exist in online, live, and land-based casinos?
Yes. The meaning is the same everywhere. The difference is how it is shown: online and live dealer games usually list H17 in the rules menu, while land-based casinos often post it on the table felt or a small placard.
Should I avoid H17 tables?
If you have a choice, many players prefer S17 because it is slightly better for you. If you cannot choose, you can still play well by using solid basic decisions and paying attention to the rules.
