A soft 17 in blackjack is any hand that totals 17 and contains an Ace counted as 11. The most common example is Ace-6, but soft 17 can also be formed with three or more cards.
For instance, Ace-3-3 or 2-2-Ace-2. It's called "soft" because the Ace can drop from 11 to 1 if you draw a high card, which means you can't bust on a single-card draw. That flexibility is what makes soft 17 play differently from a hard 17.
A hard 17, such as 10-7 or 9-8, has a fixed value. Draw a 5 on a hard 17 and you're bust. Draw that same 5 on a soft 17, and your Ace simply adjusts to 1, giving you a 12. That's the core difference, and it's why the basic playing strategy for soft 17 is more aggressive than for hard 17.
Standing on Soft 17
Never stand on soft 17. This applies regardless of the dealer's upcard, no exceptions.
Most players instinctively treat 17 as a safe hand, but soft 17 isn't a strong hand. It's a flexible one. Standing on it is a mistake because you'll lose more money standing than you will by hitting or doubling down.
Here's a useful way to think about it: in some blackjack games, the rules require the dealer to hit soft 17 rather than stand. Those rules increase the house edge, which tells you that hitting soft 17 is better than standing, for the dealer and for you.
How to Play Soft 17
The correct play depends on whether you're doubling down or hitting, and on the number of decks in the game.
Doubling Down on Soft 17
The reason to double on a soft hand isn't primarily to outdraw the dealer, but to get more money on the table when the dealer is vulnerable to busting. That vulnerability is highest when the dealer shows a low upcard.
- For double- and multi-deck games, double down when the dealer's upcard is 3 through 6.
- For a single-deck game, double down when the dealer's upcard is 2 through 6.
Hitting Soft 17
When doubling isn't the right play or isn't permitted, you hit.
- For double- and multi-deck games, hit when the dealer's upcard is 2 or 7 through Ace.
- For a single-deck game, hit when the dealer's upcard is 7 through Ace.
After hitting soft 17, your next decision depends on the new total and the dealer's upcard. Refer to the basic blackjack strategy for those follow-up plays.
Multi-Card Soft 17
You can arrive at soft 17 mid-hand. For example: you're dealt 2-4, the dealer shows a 6, you hit and draw an Ace, giving you 2-4-A, a soft 17. In most casinos, doubling down after drawing a third card isn't permitted. The same restriction applies to games that prohibit soft doubling altogether and to most video blackjack games in land-based casinos.
The rule for multi-card soft 17 is simple: always hit.
Basic Strategy for Soft 17
The following summarises the correct play for every dealer upcard, in both double/multi-deck and single-deck games.
Note:
Dh = Double down if permitted; otherwise, hit.
H = Hit
Double- and multi-deck games:
- Dealer 2: H
- Dealer 3: Dh
- Dealer 4: Dh
- Dealer 5: Dh
- Dealer 6: Dh
- Dealer 7: H
- Dealer 8: H
- Dealer 9: H
- Dealer 10: H
- Dealer A: H
Single-deck games:
- Dealer 2: Dh
- Dealer 3: Dh
- Dealer 4: Dh
- Dealer 5: Dh
- Dealer 6: Dh
- Dealer 7: H
- Dealer 8: H
- Dealer 9: H
- Dealer 10: H
- Dealer A: H
Card Counting and Soft 17
Card counters rarely deviate from basic strategy on soft 17, because the gain is minimal. The two exceptions worth knowing:
- If the count is positive, consider doubling down on a soft 17 against a dealer 2-upcard.
- If the count is negative, hit against a dealer 3 through 6 rather than doubling down.
For the precise index numbers, consult the deviation table for whichever counting system you use. Our card counting in blackjack guide covers the main systems in detail.
Key Takeaways
- A soft 17 is any hand totalling 17 that contains an Ace counted as 11 – for example, Ace-6.
- Never stand on soft 17, regardless of the dealer's upcard.
- In double- and multi-deck games, double down when the dealer shows 3 through 6; hit all other upcards.
- In single-deck games, double down when the dealer shows 2 through 6; hit all other upcards.
- If you hold a multi-card soft 17, or the game doesn't allow soft doubling, always hit.
- After hitting soft 17, consult the basic strategy for your next decision based on your new total and the dealer's upcard.
