Soft vs. Hard Blackjack Strategies: The Ultimate Guide to Soft and Hard Hands
Soft vs. Hard Blackjack Strategies: What You’ll Learn
- Understanding Soft and Hard Hands: Gain clarity on what constitutes soft vs. hard Blackjack strategies and how these definitions impact your decision-making process.
- Basic Strategy Differences: Discover the key differences in strategy between soft and hard hands, and how these variations can influence your choices while playing.
- Decision-Making Strategies: Learn about the specific strategies to adopt when holding soft hands as opposed to hard hands, including when to hit, stand, split, or double down.
- Probabilities and Risks: Explore the probabilities and risks associated with each type of hand to make more informed and strategic decisions during gameplay.
- Advanced Strategy Tips: Receive insights into advanced tips and techniques to optimize your strategy for both soft and hard hands, ultimately increasing your chances of success at the blackjack table.
Understanding the difference between Soft and Hard hands in Blackjack is one of the most important aspects of mastering this popular casino game.
While the basic objective remains simple – get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over – the strategies you employ will vary dramatically depending on whether you’re holding a Soft or Hard hand.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key differences, optimal strategies, and essential tips to help you maximize your advantage at the Blackjack table.
What Are Soft Hands in Blackjack?
A Soft Hand in Blackjack is any hand that contains an Ace being counted as 11 without exceeding 21.
The term “Soft” refers to the FLEXIBILITY of these hands – you cannot bust by taking one additional card because the Ace can always be counted as 1 instead of 11 if needed.
Definition and Importance of Soft Hands
This unique characteristic makes Soft Hands particularly valuable because they give you a “free” chance to improve your hand without risk of busting.
For example, if you have a Soft 18 (an Ace and a 7) and hit, the worst-case scenario is that you draw a 10-value card, which would give you a Hard 18 (Ace now counts as 1, plus 7, plus 10).
Soft Hands provide an important strategic advantage that savvy players can exploit. Understanding how to play these hands correctly is crucial for minimizing the house edge.
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Examples of Soft Hands
Some common examples of Soft Hands include:
- Soft 13: Ace + 2
- Soft 14: Ace + 3
- Soft 15: Ace + 4
- Soft 16: Ace + 5
- Soft 17: Ace + 6
- Soft 18: Ace + 7
- Soft 19: Ace + 8
- Soft 20: Ace + 9
Note that Ace + 10, or Jack, Queen, or King, is Blackjack, and NOT a “Soft 21.” This is the BEST hand you can get in the game of Blackjack, and it wins most of the time already, and without needing improvement.
It will “push” – meaning “not lose and not win” only when the dealer also has a Blackjack, and the player did not buy “insurance.” This hand can ONLY “lose” in some variations on Blackjack where the rules state that if both the dealer and the player have a two-card “Natural-21” – which is the correct name for “Blackjack” – then the Dealer Wins.
But these are RARE and only occasional situations, and are always confined only to Blackjack variations with such “extra rules,” and, therefore, do NOT apply to “standard Blackjack” games as are found in traditional “normal” casinos, and online.
Also please note that “Soft 20” is a term rarely used in Blackjack – although it can be referred to in Blackjack Tournaments, where some occasions may arise when it is to the player’s advantage to treat the “20” total as a “soft” hand and hit it again.
But these are very advanced strategies for such Blackjack Tournaments, and the rules of such Tournaments are often very different to the standard Blackjack games you find in traditional and “normal” casinos, and online games.
What Are Hard Hands in Blackjack?
A Hard Hand in Blackjack is any hand WITHOUT an Ace, or a hand where the Ace MUST be counted as 1 to avoid busting. Hard Hands have FIXED values, meaning there’s no flexibility in how their value is calculated.
Definition and Importance of Hard Hands
Hard Hands are much more restrictive in terms of strategic options. With Hard Hands, especially those totaling 12-16, you face difficult decisions because of the high bust potential. These hands are considered “stiff” hands because one wrong card can easily cause you to bust.
Examples of Hard Hands
Some common examples of Hard Hands include:
- Hard 12: 10 + 2, or 8 + 4, or 7 + 5, etc.
- Hard 15: 10 + 5, or 9 + 6, or 8 + 7, etc.
- Hard 16: 10 + 6, or 9 + 7, or 8 + 8, etc.
- Hard 17: 10 + 7, or 9 + 8, etc.
- Hard 18: 10 + 8, or 9 + 9, etc.
Also, it’s important to understand that a hand like Ace + 6 + 10 is a Hard 17, NOT a Soft 17, because the Ace must be counted as 1 to avoid busting.
Differences Between Soft and Hard Hands – Flexibility of the Ace in Soft Hands
The key difference between Soft and Hard hands is the FLEXIBILITY that comes with Soft Hands:
- Risk of Busting: With a Soft Hand, taking ONE additional card CANNOT cause you to bust, as the Ace will automatically switch from counting as 11 to counting as 1 if necessary.
- Strategic Options: This safety net allows more aggressive play with Soft Hands, including doubling down in situations where you would never double with a Hard Hand.
- Decision-Making: Soft Hands generally call for more aggressive actions (hitting or doubling) than Hard Hands of the same total.
Fixed Total in Hard Hands
Hard Hands are much more restrictive:
- Bust Potential: Every additional card risks busting with a Hard Hand.
- Defensive Play: Hard Hands, especially in the 12-16 range, often require more defensive play.
- Limited Options: The fixed nature of Hard Hands means fewer strategic options and more situations where the correct play is dictated primarily by the dealer’s upcard.
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Strategies for Playing Soft Hands – When to Hit or Stand
The correct strategy for Soft Hands varies significantly based on your total and the dealer’s upcard:
- Soft 13-16: ALWAYS hit, regardless of dealer’s upcard. These hands are too weak to stand, and you can’t bust with one more card.
- Soft 17: Hit against dealer’s 7-Ace. Stand against dealer’s 2-6.
- Soft 18: Stand against dealer’s 2-6 and 8. Hit against dealer’s 9, 10, and Ace. Against dealer’s 7, some basic strategy charts recommend standing while others recommend hitting (the difference is minimal).
- Soft 19-21: ALWAYS stand. These hands are strong enough that the potential benefit of hitting is outweighed by the risk of ending up with a worse total.
Doubling Down with Soft Hands
Doubling down with Soft Hands can be highly profitable in the right situations:
- Soft 13-14: Double against dealer’s 5-6, otherwise hit.
- Soft 15-16: Double against dealer’s 4-6, otherwise hit.
- Soft 17: Double against dealer’s 3-6, otherwise hit.
- Soft 18: Double against dealer’s 3-6, stand against 2, 7, and 8, hit against 9, 10, and Ace.
- Soft 19+: NEVER double. Always stand.
Remember that these recommendations may vary slightly depending on the specific rules of the game and the number of decks being used. Always consult a strategy chart calibrated for your specific game conditions.
Soft vs. Hard Blackjack Strategies: Playing a Soft 17
A Soft 17 (Ace + 6) requires special attention because it’s a borderline hand. The correct play varies based on the dealer’s upcard:
- Against dealer’s 2: Stand
- Against dealer’s 3-6: Double down (if doubling isn’t allowed, then hit)
- Against dealer’s 7-Ace: Hit
This strategy might seem counterintuitive – why hit a 17 when the goal is to get as close to 21 as possible? The answer lies in the flexibility of the Soft Hand. You can’t bust with ONE more card, and you have the potential to improve to a better hand like 18, 19, 20, or 21.
Strategies for Playing Hard Hands
Playing Hard Hands correctly is critical because these hands represent the majority of the hands you’ll be dealt in Blackjack. The general strategy for Hard Hands is more defensive than for Soft Hands, especially for the “stiff” hands in the 12-16 range.
Basic Strategy for Hard Hands
- Hard 8 or less: ALWAYS hit. These totals are too low to win without improvement.
- Hard 9: Double down against dealer’s 3-6, otherwise hit.
- Hard 10-11: Double down against dealer’s 2-9, hit against dealer’s 10 or Ace. With Hard 11, some strategies recommend doubling against a dealer’s 10 as well.
- Hard 12: Stand against dealer’s 4-6, hit against all other upcards.
- Hard 13-16: Stand against dealer’s 2-6, hit against dealer’s 7-Ace. These are the challenging “stiff” hands that make Blackjack interesting!
- Hard 17 or more: ALWAYS stand. These hands are strong enough that the risk of busting outweighs the potential benefit of hitting.
Doubling Down with Hard Hands
Doubling down allows you to double your bet in favorable situations. With Hard Hands, doubling opportunities are primarily limited to Hard 9, 10, and 11:
- Hard 9: Double against dealer’s 3-6, otherwise hit.
- Hard 10: Double against dealer’s 2-9, hit against dealer’s 10 or Ace.
- Hard 11: Double against dealer’s 2-10, hit against dealer’s Ace. In some games, doubling against a dealer’s Ace is also recommended.
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Surrender Decisions
If the casino offers the surrender option, it can be a valuable tool for reducing losses with certain Hard Hands:
- Hard 15: Surrender against dealer’s 10.
- Hard 16: Surrender against dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace.
- Hard 17: Surrender against dealer’s Ace, especially in some multi-deck games where the dealer hits on Soft 17.
Surrender is NEVER correct for ANY Soft Hand because of the flexibility the Ace provides.
Soft vs. Hard Blackjack Strategies: Impact of Dealer’s Actions on Soft 17
One of the most significant rule variations in Blackjack is whether the dealer hits or stands on Soft 17. This rule has a notable impact on your strategy:
- Dealer Stands on Soft 17 (S17): This rule is more favorable to the player, reducing the house edge by approximately 0.2%.
- Dealer Hits on Soft 17 (H17): When the dealer hits on Soft 17, they have more opportunities to improve their hand. This increases the house edge and slightly changes optimal strategy:
- Be more aggressive with doubling down on Soft 18 against a dealer’s 2
- Consider surrendering Hard 17 against a dealer’s Ace
- Be slightly more cautious with borderline standing decisions
Other Key Dealer Scenarios
Besides the S17/H17 rule, other dealer-related factors that impact your strategy include:
- Dealer’s Bust Card: Dealer upcards of 4, 5, and 6 are the most likely to result in a dealer bust. Against these cards, your strategy should be more conservative, standing on stiff hands rather than risking a bust yourself.
- Dealer’s Strong Card: When the dealer shows a 7 through Ace, they have a higher probability of making a strong hand. Against these cards, your strategy needs to be more aggressive, taking risks to improve your hand rather than standing on weak totals.
Soft vs. Hard Blackjack Strategies: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Misplaying Soft Hands
The most common mistakes with Soft Hands include:
- Standing on Soft 17 or less: These hands should almost always be hit or doubled, depending on the dealer’s upcard. Standing too early wastes the advantage of having a Soft Hand.
- Not doubling on Soft 13-17 against dealer’s weak cards: Many players miss valuable doubling opportunities with Soft Hands against dealer’s 4, 5, and 6.
- Standing on Soft 18 against dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace: Basic strategy dictates hitting in these situations, but many players are reluctant to hit 18.
- Treating Ace+7 the same against all dealer upcards: The correct play for Soft 18 varies depending on the dealer’s upcard. Don’t play it the same way every time.
Misplaying Hard Hands
Common mistakes with Hard Hands include:
- Hitting Hard 12-16 against dealer’s 2-6: The dealer is likely to bust with these upcards, so the correct play is to stand even with these stiff hands.
- Standing on Hard 12-16 against dealer’s 7-Ace: When the dealer shows a strong card, you need to take risks to improve your hand, even if it means possibly busting.
- Failing to double down on Hard 10 or 11: These are prime doubling opportunities that many players miss.
- Not surrendering Hard 15 against dealer’s 10 or Hard 16 against dealer’s 9-Ace: Surrender can save money in the long run in these specific situations.
Ignoring Strategy Charts
The single biggest mistake Blackjack players make is ignoring basic strategy charts, or believing they can rely on intuition or “gut feelings.” Blackjack is a mathematical game, and basic strategy has been calculated to provide the optimal play for every possible situation:
- Learn basic strategy: Memorize the correct play for all common situations.
- Use strategy cards: Most casinos allow players to use basic strategy cards at the table. Use them until you’ve memorized all the plays.
- Practice with free games: Many online casinos offer free Blackjack games where you can practice your strategy without risking real money.
- When playing Online ALWAYS use strategy cards which are applicable to the game, and online casino, where you are playing. These are sometimes offered by the online casino itself, but it is probably better for you to source such a strategy card independently, so that it provides the optimum details.
When playing online, no one sees you using these cards – unlike in the real-world casino – and so you don’t have to feel “silly” if you are using them. Many people make that mistake in the real-world casinos, because they don’t want to feel “silly,” or look like novices. Remember that it’s YOUR money at stake, so if the casino allows strategy cards to be used, then USE them!
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Advanced Tips for Winning with Soft and Hard Hands
Utilizing Strategic Charts
The most reliable way to maximize your chances of winning is to use a proper basic strategy chart specifically designed for the variation of Blackjack you’re playing. Standard strategy charts are divided into three sections:
- Hard Hands Chart: Shows the optimal play for all possible Hard Hand totals against all possible dealer upcards.
- Soft Hands Chart: Shows the optimal play for all possible Soft Hand totals against all possible dealer upcards.
- Pair Splitting Chart: Shows when to split pairs against all possible dealer upcards.
Remember that soft vs. hard Blackjack strategies change slightly based on:
- Number of decks (single vs. six or eight)
- Dealer hitting or standing on Soft 17
- Whether doubling after splitting is allowed
- Whether late surrender is offered
Adapting to Dealer’s Visible Card
Your strategy should always consider the dealer’s upcard:
- Dealer’s 2-6: These are the “bust cards.” The dealer has a higher chance of busting with these upcards, so your strategy should be more conservative. Stand on stiff hands rather than risk busting yourself.
- Dealer’s 7-Ace: These are the strong cards. The dealer has a better chance of making a strong hand, so your strategy should be more aggressive. Take risks to improve your hand rather than standing on weak totals.
Soft vs. Hard Blackjack Strategies: Bankroll Management
Proper bankroll management is essential for long-term success:
- Set a budget: Decide how much you’re willing to lose before you start playing. This is NOT admitting that you are going to “lose”! It is instead a valuable measure against the inevitable variances in this game. Successful players will ALWAYS have such a Budget, so they can always see how they’re doing.
- Bet consistently: Maintain consistent bet sizes rather than increasing bets, especially after losses. But this advice does NOT mean that you will always “flat-bet.” This simply means that you should be mindful of the range of your standard bets, depending on the situation at the moment.
Variances in betting strategy are also important for winning players, but being “wild” with your bets is a sure prescription for disaster. So, keeping in mind your discipline in wagering is also important, and this will, therefore, help your game overall.
- Take profits: Set win goals and walk away when you reach them.
- Avoid insurance: The “insurance bet” typically carries a high house edge and should be avoided by basic strategy players.
- Play at tables with favorable rules: Look for games that offer 3:2 payouts for Blackjack, dealer stands on Soft 17, doubling after splitting is allowed, and late surrender is offered.
And NEVER play 6:5 Blackjack! Walk away. Find another casino, or another table. This is perhaps the MOST important advice for casual players, and it will save you a lot of money and aggravation in the short term, as well as long-run.
Key Differences Between Soft and Hard 18
A perfect example of how strategy differs between Soft and Hard Hands can be seen by comparing Soft 18 vs. Hard 18:
Hard 18 (e.g., 10+8):
- ALWAYS stand, regardless of dealer’s upcard
- Never hit
- Never double down
Soft 18 (Ace+7):
- Stand against dealer’s 2-6 and 8
- Hit against dealer’s 9, 10, and Ace
- Double down against dealer’s 3-6
- Decision against dealer’s 7 is borderline (either stand or hit, depending on specific rules)
This illustrates how the flexibility of the Ace dramatically changes optimal strategy even when the hand totals are identical.
Which Blackjack Strategy is Best?
The “best” Blackjack strategy depends on your goals and the specific rules of the game you’re playing:
- Basic Strategy: For most recreational players, basic strategy is the best approach. It minimizes the house edge to around 0.5% in favorable games and is relatively easy to learn.
- Card Counting: For dedicated players willing to put in the time and effort, card counting can provide a small advantage over the house. However, it requires significant practice and concentration.
- Composition-Dependent Strategy: This refined version of basic strategy takes into account the specific cards in your hand, not just the total. While mathematically superior to basic strategy, the advantage is minimal and not worth the additional complexity for most players.
For the vast majority of players, mastering basic strategy for both Soft and Hard Hands is the best approach. It’s relatively simple to learn, acceptable in all casinos, and reduces the house edge to its practical minimum without requiring the complex mental gymnastics of card counting.
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Soft vs. Hard Blackjack Strategies FAQs
What is the difference between hard and soft blackjack?
The terms “hard” and “soft” in Blackjack refer to the presence and role of an Ace in your hand:
- A Soft Hand contains an Ace being counted as 11 without exceeding 21. These hands are “soft” because you cannot bust by taking one additional card – if needed, the Ace can switch from counting as 11 to counting as 1.
- A Hard Hand either has no Ace, or has an Ace that must be counted as 1 to avoid busting. These hands have fixed values and every hit risks busting.
The distinction is crucial because optimal strategy differs significantly between Soft and Hard Hands of the same total.
Which blackjack strategy is best?
For most players, mastering basic strategy is the best approach:
- It reduces the house edge to approximately 0.5% under favorable rules
- It’s acceptable to use in all casinos
- It’s relatively easy to learn and apply
- It doesn’t require the complex mental calculations of card counting
Remember that basic strategy varies slightly based on game rules. The strategy for a six-deck game where the dealer hits on Soft 17 is slightly different from a single-deck game where the dealer stands on Soft 17.
Should I hit on soft 14?
YES, you should generally hit on Soft 14 (Ace+3). The exceptions are:
- Double down (not stand) if the dealer shows a 5 or 6
- Otherwise, hit
Soft 14 is too weak to stand, and the flexibility of the Ace means you cannot bust with one additional card. This makes hitting the clearly correct play in most situations.
Do I hit on soft 16?
YES, you should generally hit on Soft 16 (Ace+5). The exceptions are:
- Double down (not stand) if the dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6
- Otherwise, hit
Like Soft 14, Soft 16 is too weak to stand. Even though your total is 16, the flexibility of the Ace means you should treat this hand much more aggressively than a Hard 16.
Soft vs. Hard Blackjack Strategies: Optimize Your Decision-Making
Understanding the difference between Soft and Hard Hands is fundamental to mastering Blackjack strategy. Soft Hands allow for more aggressive play because of the flexibility of the Ace, while Hard Hands often require more caution, especially in the troublesome 12-16 range.
By learning and applying the correct strategies for both Soft and Hard Hands, you’ll minimize the house edge and maximize your chances of walking away a winner.
Remember that Blackjack is a game of mathematics, not intuition. Trust the well-established basic strategy rather than your gut feelings, and you’ll be playing at the highest level possible without resorting to card counting.
Whether you’re a casual player enjoying the authentic casino experience, or a more serious player looking to extract every possible advantage, mastering the distinctions between Soft and Hard Hands is your path to Blackjack success.
And now you know!
So until next time – Best of Luck to all!
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