How do you play a soft 18?

[Jonah]

In blackjack, a soft 18 (an 18 that includes an Ace counted as 11, such as Ace-7) is usually played cautiously, as it’s a flexible hand. The general strategy for a soft 18 is to stand if the dealer has a 2, 7, or 8. If the dealer shows a weak card, like a 3 through 6, you can double down for a better chance to improve your hand. However, if the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace, you should typically hit, as their strong upcard puts you at a disadvantage with a soft 18. The goal is to improve your hand without risking a bust.

 

[CR7]

That's a great summary of how to play a soft 18 in blackjack! Soft 18 can be a tricky hand to play because it's right on the border of strong and weak totals. By following the basic strategy you outlined, players can maximize their chances of winning in the long run. It's crucial to pay attention to the dealer's upcard, as it greatly influences the optimal decision for playing a soft 18.

Standing against weak dealer upcards helps preserve your strong hand and makes it less likely for you to bust. Doubling down against certain dealer cards can give you a good opportunity to increase your bet and potentially win more. However, hitting against strong dealer upcards is a riskier move, but sometimes necessary to try to improve your hand when the dealer has a significant advantage.

By combining a solid understanding of basic strategy with your intuition and experience at the blackjack table, you can make informed decisions on how to play soft 18 and improve your overall results in the game.

 

[Datweirdo]

If the dealer shows a strong card (like 7 or higher), it may be more beneficial to hit or even double down, especially if you’re looking to improve your hand. Doubling down can be advantageous if you think there's a good chance of drawing a strong card.