In Blackjack, the dealer has two cards: an upcard (face-up) and a hole card (face-down). If the upcard is an Ace or a 10-value card, the dealer checks for a Blackjack. If the dealer doesn't have a Blackjack, they play their hand according to house rules, usually hitting on 16 or less and standing on 17 or more, including a "soft 17" (Ace-6). The dealer’s hand determines the outcome of the round after all players have acted.
How does the dealer's hand work in Blackjack (upcard and hole card)?
- Thread starter Jonah
- Start date
In Blackjack, the dealer's hand plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of each round. When the dealer's upcard is an Ace or a 10-value card, they check for a Blackjack by peeking at their hole card. If the dealer has a Blackjack, the round ends immediately, and all player hands lose unless they also have a Blackjack, resulting in a push.
Assuming the dealer doesn't have a Blackjack, they proceed to play their hand according to the rules set by the casino. Typically, the dealer must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more. This includes "soft 17," which occurs when the dealer's hand contains an Ace valued as 11 and a 6, allowing them to choose whether the Ace counts as 1 or 11.
The dealer continues to draw cards until they reach a total of 17 or higher. If the dealer busts (exceeds 21), all remaining player hands win regardless of their total. If the dealer doesn't bust, the outcomes are determined by comparing the dealer's hand to the player hands. Players win if their hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's without exceeding it, resulting in a payout.
Understanding how the dealer's hand works is essential for Blackjack players to make strategic decisions based on the potential outcomes and optimize their chances of winning each round.
Assuming the dealer doesn't have a Blackjack, they proceed to play their hand according to the rules set by the casino. Typically, the dealer must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or more. This includes "soft 17," which occurs when the dealer's hand contains an Ace valued as 11 and a 6, allowing them to choose whether the Ace counts as 1 or 11.
The dealer continues to draw cards until they reach a total of 17 or higher. If the dealer busts (exceeds 21), all remaining player hands win regardless of their total. If the dealer doesn't bust, the outcomes are determined by comparing the dealer's hand to the player hands. Players win if their hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's without exceeding it, resulting in a payout.
Understanding how the dealer's hand works is essential for Blackjack players to make strategic decisions based on the potential outcomes and optimize their chances of winning each round.
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