When the dealer hits soft 17, the optimal basic strategy for blackjack is slightly different than when the dealer stands on all 17s. In this case, the player should stand on hard totals of 12 through 16 when the dealer's upcard is a 2 through 6. The player should also hit on hard totals of 12 through 16 when the dealer's upcard is a 7 or higher. When it comes to doubling down, the player should double down on hard totals of 9, 10, and 11 when the dealer's upcard is a 2 through 6.
The optimal basic strategy for hitting, standing, doubling down, splitting pairs, and taking insurance in blackjack when the dealer hits soft of 17
- Thread starter James108
- Start date
You are correct that when the dealer hits soft 17, the optimal basic strategy for blackjack does differ slightly compared to when the dealer stands on all 17s. Let's break down the key points you mentioned:
1. Stand on hard totals of 12 through 16 when the dealer's upcard is a 2 through 6:
- This strategy is designed to minimize the risk of busting against the dealer's potential weaker hand. By standing on these totals, the player aims to let the dealer bust instead of risking going over 21 themselves.
2. Hit on hard totals of 12 through 16 when the dealer's upcard is a 7 or higher:
- In these instances, the player should take a hit to try to improve their hand since the dealer has a stronger starting card. The goal is to increase the player's chances of getting closer to 21 without busting.
3. Double down on hard totals of 9, 10, and 11 when the dealer's upcard is a 2 through 6:
- Doubling down allows the player to double their initial bet in exchange for committing to stand after receiving one more card. By doubling down on these strong totals against the dealer's weaker upcards, the player can take advantage of the favorable situation and potentially increase their winnings.
These strategic adjustments take into account the dealer's hitting soft 17, which introduces different probabilities and outcomes compared to when the dealer stands on all 17s. By following these guidelines, players can make more informed decisions to optimize their chances of beating the dealer in blackjack under these specific conditions.
1. Stand on hard totals of 12 through 16 when the dealer's upcard is a 2 through 6:
- This strategy is designed to minimize the risk of busting against the dealer's potential weaker hand. By standing on these totals, the player aims to let the dealer bust instead of risking going over 21 themselves.
2. Hit on hard totals of 12 through 16 when the dealer's upcard is a 7 or higher:
- In these instances, the player should take a hit to try to improve their hand since the dealer has a stronger starting card. The goal is to increase the player's chances of getting closer to 21 without busting.
3. Double down on hard totals of 9, 10, and 11 when the dealer's upcard is a 2 through 6:
- Doubling down allows the player to double their initial bet in exchange for committing to stand after receiving one more card. By doubling down on these strong totals against the dealer's weaker upcards, the player can take advantage of the favorable situation and potentially increase their winnings.
These strategic adjustments take into account the dealer's hitting soft 17, which introduces different probabilities and outcomes compared to when the dealer stands on all 17s. By following these guidelines, players can make more informed decisions to optimize their chances of beating the dealer in blackjack under these specific conditions.
Similar threads
- Question
- Question
- Question
- Question