What is ‘Soft 17’ and why is it important in Vegas?
In blackjack, the term ‘Soft 17’ refers to a hand of 17 that contains an Ace. This Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11, making the hand quite flexible and advantageous for the player. As a result, many Las Vegas casinos have rules in place that dictate how the dealer should handle Soft 17 hands.
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The rules for Soft 17 vary from casino to casino. Some casinos require the dealer to ‘stand’ on a Soft 17 (not take any additional cards), while others require the dealer to ‘hit’ (take additional cards). Generally speaking, casinos that require the dealer to stand on a Soft 17 have better odds for the player than those that require the dealer to hit.
What is the Difference Between Soft 17 and Hard 17?
Hard 17 is a hand of 17 that does not contain an Ace, and is therefore rigid (meaning it cannot be changed to any other value). Soft 17, on the other hand, is a hand of 17 that contains an Ace and is therefore able to be changed to either a 16 or an 18 depending on the card the dealer draws.
The difference between Soft 17 and Hard 17 has a big impact on a player’s odds of winning. Because Soft 17 can be changed to either a 16 or an 18, the player has a better chance of winning when the dealer stands on a Soft 17.
Do Dealers Stand on Soft 17 in Vegas?
The answer to this question depends on the casino you are playing at. Some casinos in Las Vegas require the dealer to stand on a Soft 17, while others require the dealer to hit. Interestingly, the rules for Soft 17 in Vegas often vary from table to table within the same casino.
To find out whether dealers stand on Soft 17 in Vegas, it is important to read the table rules before playing. This will ensure that you are aware of the rules and can make an informed decision as to whether to play at that particular table or not.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Standing on Soft 17?
The decision to stand on Soft 17 comes with both advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- Better Odds for the Player: Standing on Soft 17 gives the player better odds of winning because the hand is more flexible and can be changed to either a 16 or an 18.
- Easier to Play: Standing on Soft 17 is also easier to play than hitting because the dealer does not have to make a decision about whether to hit or stand.
Cons:
- Higher House Edge: Standing on Soft 17 gives the house a higher edge than if the dealer were to hit. This means that the house has an advantage over the player.
- More Expensive Bets: Standing on Soft 17 also means that players have to make larger bets to get the same amount of money back. This can be expensive in the long run.
What is the Difference Between Single and Double-Deck Blackjack?
Single deck blackjack is a type of blackjack where only one deck of cards is used. This type of blackjack is often more advantageous to the player because there is less of a chance for the dealer to have a blackjack.
Double-deck blackjack is similar to single deck blackjack, except two decks of cards are used instead of one. This type of blackjack is often more advantageous to the dealer because there is a higher chance for them to have a blackjack.
The rules for Soft 17 in single deck blackjack and double-deck blackjack can be different, so it is important to read the table rules before playing.
What Are the Odds of Winning at Blackjack?
The odds of winning at blackjack depend on the type of blackjack being played. Generally speaking, the player has the best odds when playing single deck blackjack, followed by double-deck blackjack.
The odds of winning at blackjack are also affected by the rules of the game. For example, the player has better odds when the dealer stands on Soft 17 than when the dealer hits on Soft 17.
What Other Rules Are Important to Know When Playing in Vegas?
In addition to knowing the rules for Soft 17, there are a few other important rules to be aware of when playing blackjack in Vegas.
- Doubling Down: In Vegas, most casinos allow players to double down after they have been dealt their first two cards. Doubling down means that the player doubles their bet and is then dealt one more card.
- Splitting Pairs: Most casinos in Vegas also allow players to split pairs if they are dealt two of the same card. Splitting pairs means that the player can split their two cards into two separate hands and play them both.
- Surrender: Finally, most casinos in Vegas allow players to surrender if they don’t like the cards they have been dealt. Surrendering means that the player can forfeit the hand and get half of their bet back.
Conclusion
Do dealers stand on Soft 17 in Vegas? The answer to this question depends on the casino you are playing at. It is important to read the table rules before playing to ensure that you understand the rules for Soft 17.
Generally speaking, the player has better odds when the dealer stands on Soft 17 than when the dealer hits. However, standing on Soft 17 also has a few drawbacks, such as a higher house edge and more expensive bets.
In addition to knowing the rules for Soft 17, it is also important to be aware of other rules such as doubling down, splitting pairs, and surrendering. Knowing these rules can help you make the best decisions when playing blackjack in Vegas.
