Blackjack Strategy Chart: Dealer Stands on Soft 17

YourDealer's Card
Hand2345678910A
8HHHHHHHHHH
9HDDDDHHHHH
10DDDDDDDDHH
11DDDDDDDDDH
12HHSSSHHHHH
13SSSSSHHHHH
14SSSSSHHHHH
15SSSSSHHHX/HH
16SSSSSHHX/HX/HX/H
17SSSSSSSSSS
A,2HHHDDHHHHH
A,3HHHDDHHHHH
A,4HHDDDHHHHH
A,5HHDDDHHHHH
A,6HDDDDHHHHH
A,7SDSDSDSDSSSHHH
A,8SSSSSSSSSS
A,9SSSSSSSSSS
2,2SPSPSPSPSPSPHHHH
3,3SPSPSPSPSPSPHHHH
4,4HHHSPSPHHHHH
5,5DDDDDDDDHH
6,6SPSPSPSPSPHHHHH
7,7SPSPSPSPSPSPHHHH
8,8SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP
9,9SPSPSPSPSPSSPSPSS
10,10SSSSSSSSSS
A,ASPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

Chart Legend

This chart assume the below rules:

  • Multiple decks.
  • Double down allowed on any 2 cards.
  • Double after splits allowed.
  • Dealer stands on soft 17.
HHit
SStand
DDouble if allowed, otherwise Hit
DSDouble if allowed, otherwise Stand
SPSplit
X/HSurrender if allowed, otherwise Hit
X/PSurrender if allowed, otherwise Split
X/SSurrender if allowed, otherwise Stand

Dealer Stands on Soft 17

These blackjack rules are generally the second most common. Despite popular belief, the Dealer standing on a soft total of 17 is actually better for the player than when the dealer must hit soft 17. This is because the dealer has two chances to make a stiff hand of 17 or better.

The Dealer’s average hand amount is about 18.5, so the dealer standing on 17 is a great opportunity for the player. I mean if you can’t beat 17, then this is the wrong game for you!

Look for tables that have the Dealer stand on 17, it’s a good rule for us players.