This is the case in any blackjack game, as all wagers depend on the outcome of the dealer's hand. This means that the dealer must hit when holding an Ace and a six for a total of 17 points. Your actions in Blackjack are not just limited to drawing cards or sticking with what you are initially dealt. Don't go over though, or you automatically lose. Under this rule, the house edge is slightly increased, but the dealer does not have the opportunity. The values of Blackjack cards. 17 versus ace is surrender instead of stand. If the dealer stands on soft 17, then the house edge is reduced. Online slot risk game. Soft 17 is a rule that tells the dealer what to do when getting a hand total of 17 with an ace. This is called a “Hit 17” game. Dealer must hit soft 17: A "soft" hand is a hand that involves an ace. A. Double down against dealer’s 3 and 5. If you bet $10 and draw a blackjack, you’ll be paid $15. You should surrender. If the face-up card is an ace, then the dealer peaks at his down card (the hole card). Besides betting rules, dealers must. One of the must-hit scenarios is when the dealer’s up card is an ace. Insurance is allowed on the “ 21” bet only. From a playing strategy standpoint, if the rules specify the dealer must hit on soft 17, then you should make the following three modifications to your basic playing strategy: Double down on hard 11 when the dealer shows an ace. (Note: A soft 17 is any hand that contains an ace counted as an 11. It doesn't matter if the dealer gets 21 or 25. On dealers' twos and threes, players also have a decent edge. In every game of blackjack, the dealer either plays Soft 17 or higher, or hits Soft 17, which means they can only play Hard 17, plus any 18 or higher. The dealer’s hitting rules are the rules that the dealer must follow when deciding when to hit and when to stay. If the casino dealer gets to hit a soft 17 then we have some different decisions from most charts out there and they all involve the ace: Double 11 versus ace. If you are a basic strategy player, the house edge increases by 20% when the dealer hits on a soft 17. If all players busted, the dealer shows the hole card, which doesn't matter. Stand on soft 17 means the same as stand on all 17's since everyone stands on hard 17. Is H17 the most house-advantageous rule? How would the odds change if the dealer had to hit a hard 17?The Dealer must hit on soft 17 – that’s any 17 with an 11-point Ace, which you already know they have. This means that the dealer must hit when holding an Ace and a six for a total of 17 points. 35%. They will not hit on soft 18 and higher. Find Here Home Guides Does Dealer Hit on a Soft 17 in Blackjack? by mahi zahid September 19, 2022 in Guides 0 0 0 Ever since Blackjack was introduced to the. The reason is that even if the hole card is a face card, the dealer has to hit again (dealers must hit on any hand worth less than 17, and in most cases on a soft 17 as well). If the dealer’s card is a 6 – or lower in the case of a soft 17 consisting of. Bonus hands do not apply after doubling down. The Dealer must draw to 16 and Stand when hard 17 or more is reached. In every game of blackjack, the dealer either plays Soft 17 or higher, or hits Soft 17, which means they can only play Hard 17, plus any 18 or higher. If the dealer has a soft 14, hits, and gets a 10, they now a soft 24 or a hard 14. and I would have lost!The dealer must hit soft 17 or less. In this case, the dealer must take another card. If you see H17 instead, it means the dealer hits on the soft 17. The. Dealer must hit “soft” 17. Some people believe that it does, while others believe that it does not. Dealer must draw to 16, and stand on all 17s: At each casino, if the dealer has a total of less than 17, they continue to hit. Dealer must hit on soft 17. Blackjack hit or stand mechanics imply that players ask for another card (hit) or stop (stand). You should also double down if you have a soft 19 and the dealer has. Players have the option to play a "late surrender". Try to get as close to 21 without going over (busting). I recommend you always check this before you start to play. 17 versus ace is surrender instead of stand. Live dealers have become an integral part of online gambling. Dealer must hit soft 17. Double DeckIn some variants the dealer must stand on a soft 17, while in others the dealer must hit. The best seat at a blackjack table is third base because you can control whether the dealer will bust. ” A soft 17 is a hand that includes an Ace counted as 11 and one or more additional cards that bring the total to 17. True. Players must clearly scratch the table felt with their hand to receive a hit card. Player’s must make their standard blackjack wager. The table will display one of these two rules: “Dealer must hit soft 17” “Dealer must stand on 17”And on that note, how would "dealer must hit soft 17" and "dealer must stay soft 17" vary too? Just trying to figure out the math behind it. Rules. The dealer must hit soft 17. The major difference between standard Blackjack is the payouts on Bonus hands, so hitting and standing strategies may be slightly different: Let’s say you have a hand with a value of 15 points, and the dealer is showing a Four. An ace can be worth either 1 or 11, which is decided by the player that receives the ace. For a hard 12, follow the traditional strategy of hitting against a dealer’s 2, 3, and 7 through A, and standing on 4, 5, and 6 with the following exceptions: (Note: s17 = dealer must stand on soft 17; h17 = dealer must hit on soft 17. 4: Hit. Nevertheless, doubling down is the best play with a total of 11 because it results in twice as large profits , which, in turn, improves the expectation of the player with this. What does the “Dealer must hit on soft 17” mean? If the dealer has an ace, counting it as 11 would bring the total to 17 or more (but not over 21): the dealer must count the ace as. Average profits are 6. Fortunately for players, the playing strategy against a dealer’s ten upcard is nearly the same for any number of decks of cards or mix of playing rules, with only a few exceptions discussed below. 5, so the dealer standing on 17 is a great opportunity for the player. Whether the dealer hits or stands on Soft 17 will be clearly stated on the blackjack table itself. Dealers do the same, but they must stand when the cards total is 17 or more. If one deck is in play and the dealer must hit soft 17, surrendering is advisable against tens and aces when you have 7-7. A soft total is one that cannot “break” if one more card is taken like a 17 comprised of an Ace and a 6. A few are only open on weekends. Some casinos require the dealer to hit on a soft 17, while others mandate the dealer to stand. 84 percent, $17. Basic strategy instructs a player to hit a soft seventeen in every situation, yet most players are hesitant to do so, assuming their chances of winning are better if they stand on 17 than if they risk decreasing the value of the hand with subsequent hits. The house edge is high in this bet, so players are advised to avoid taking it. Dealers are clearly more likely to bust when they must hit soft 17s than when they stand, a factor that seems to favor players. When you are dealt a total of 9, double down when the dealer shows a card between 2 and 6 (any card below 7, not including the Ace). The dealer will return the last double down and the player forfeits their hand and original bet. An ace can be worth either 1 or 11, which is decided by the player that receives the ace. A special situation is when the dealer has an ace and any number of cards totaling six points (known as a "soft 17"). Six dollar minimum blackjack: Payout is 6 to 5. Blackjack pays 3 to 2. ^ This. By Alan Krigman. The insurance stake must not exceed half the original stake and is paid at 2-1 if the Dealer obtains a Blackjack. 2 in either scenario. Does a dealer hit on soft 17? But against players still in action at the end, a dealer who is on soft 17 cannot win and a dealer who hits. Because an Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11, the dealer has a choice between standing and hitting. The accompanying table shows the impact on final dealer hands for eight deck games, when they hit rather than stand on soft 17. Since every casino is different, there'll be some blackjack tables where you'll see the words “Dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17's”. Dealer must hit soft 17. Just like the players, the dealer will bust if he/she exceeds 21. If the dealer must stand on soft 17, “S17” is often displayed. NDAS = Doubling down after pair splitting is not allowed. This is called a “Hit 17” game. H17 = Dealer must hit soft 17. As a matter of fact, this particular segment of the game is so important that the rule is typically written on the layout of the table. o Hit soft 17 or Stand on all 17’s. Soft Hands. bridgetroll2 • 10 mo. Redoubling is only allowed on Hit soft 17 version. I had to call their help line to get an exchange done because they couldn't find my receipt in the system. Blackjack dealers must hit on any score of 16 or less, and must stand on 17 or more. 11. Notations used in this article: S17 = Dealer must stand on soft 17 H17 = Dealer must hit soft 17 DAS = Doubling down after pair splitting. If the dealer has a soft 17, they must hit. Deviations vary based on the rules of the game offered, and the rules of the region. A,A – always split. How to Deal in Blackjack. That way, you'll already be seated in a top online casino when you're ready to up the ante. In this case it was a "soft" 17 as the Ace was being counted as 11, then he drew a 5 which brings it up to 22 pushing the Ace back down to value of 1 which makes the total 12. For example, a hand containing an Ace and a 6 would be a soft 17. The net result of the hit soft 17 rule is that it. However, in some variants of blackjack, the dealer is required to hit on soft 17, which means that the dealer must hit if they have a 17 that includes an Ace. When playing Blackjack, dealers must decide whether to hit or stand on a soft 17. In Black Jack, the object of the game is to accumulate cards that count no more than 21. Net Entertainment – 6 decks. SP. Keep in mind that the dealer is required to “hit” on all soft 17’s and below, and “stand” on all hard 17’s and above. Standing on a hand that is 21 or lower, while the dealer goes over 21. Positive amounts signal how more likely they are to occur with this. Resplit aces. Dealers do not bust more often when standing on soft 17. The dealer soft total is the same as a player soft total. If the player busts, the player loses. If they have 17, they cannot take another card. The player's decision to stand or hit will depend on the true count, the dealer's and the player's cards, and the blackjack basic strategy merged into them. This is regardless if it was one of the initial cards or if it was subsequently hit. This is further reduced with fewer decks in the shoe. For example, ace and 6 is a soft 17, but it’s also a soft 7. The changes in playing strategy for an h17 game (meaning dealer must hit soft 17) for a typical 6-deck game are: Double down an 11 against a dealer Ace. ago. The dealer’s standing on soft 17 rule is whether or not the dealer must hit on a soft 17 (which is an ace and a six). If the dealer does not bust, then the higher point total between the player and dealer will. In blackjack, only the dealer has a hole card, with one card being up and the other down. However, dealer odds can change depending on blackjack house rules. 3 cents if he stands. The rule of whether or not the dealer must hit on a soft 17 is one of the most debated topics in the game. 00%. <5 cards pays 2:1 5 is 4:1 6 is 15:1 7 is 50:1 8+ is 250:1 However, it seems like it's potentially possible for a dealer to bust with as many as 13 cards in this scenario. 6 if he hits soft 17. Blackjack Dealer Rules soft 17. According to single deck blackjack rules, the dealer must hit on a soft 17. Mission146. If the dealer has a total of 17 or higher, the dealer stays. In this case, the dealer must take another card. 1 review of SoftMoc "Passive-aggressive manager who is lazy. Dealer stands on soft 17; Double on 9 to 11 only; No doubling after splitting; No re-splitting; No surrender; No dealer hole card; High Stakes Blackjack (limits: $50-$2,500/hand). The soft 17 rule is more prevalent in the American gambling scene, but not embraced by every blackjack table. 'Dealer hits soft 17' means just that, that he must consider the total to be 7 and. If there’s any general advice I give if asked is “always hit Soft-17. This is because ‘Aces’ is valued as 1 or 11. Dealer Hits Soft 17 Generally, the dealer in blackjack must hit if he has a total of 16 or less, and stand if he has 17 or more. Hours may change without notice. For a single-or double-deck game with either s17 or h17, always hit. " If the casino allows the double-double down option, once a player elects to double and receives a double card, the player then has the option to double-double down (doubleIn a typical 6-deck blackjack game, you should make the following three changes to the basic playing strategy when the rules specify that the dealer must hit soft 17 - hit 11 against dealer ace, double down on soft 19 against dealer 6, and double down on soft 17 against dealer 2. Player should Double Down. Some variations allow the dealer to hit a “soft 17” (a 17 in which one of the cards is an Ace valued at 11) Once the dealer stands or busts, players with hands better than the dealer’s win and are paid out at. The poker round begins after the blackjack round is completed. You can double down on any two cards. Redoubling is only allowed on Hit soft 17 version. Just like the player, the dealer now treats it as a. Basic Strategy. If the dealer has a soft 17 (meaning an Ace and a 6), the rules might vary depending on the casino. Six-deck game with soft 17, you hold 16, dealer’s upcard is a 9. EARLY SURRENDEREquivalentAd1312 • 10 mo. After the number of decks used and the payout odds to hit the Blackjack itself, whether a dealer stays or hits Soft 17 is the next most important rule. Others have given you the correct answer to your basic question, but it doesn't really seem like people covered exactly WHY. Not implemented: Betting system - The player ether lose, tie or win. Microgaming – Stand Soft 17, Cannot hit split Aces. In blackjack, the dealer is required to hit if he has 16 or less with his cards and has to stand with 17 or more. For the player, this increases their odds. The big factor is ace-up. As you can see, when the dealer hits soft 17 rule is in effect there is a greater probability the dealer will draw to 18, 19, 20, or 21. Soft 17 is a rule that tells the dealer what to do when getting a hand total of 17 with an ace. But not every house will display those words. Here's another tip. Dealer stands on soft 17 was the standard rule in years past, but a growing number of casinos now require the dealer to hit on soft 17 (hands like Ace, 6). Table of Contents. Dealer stands on soft 17. The dealer busts about 2 times out of every 7 hands. State gambling regulators. Dealer hits on soft 17. The rule states that a dealer must always hit on a soft 17 rather than stand. The dealer standing on soft 17 (S17) is better for the player than the dealer being allowed to hit on soft 17, how much so differing by the other rules in play (number of decks, resplits, surrender or no surrender, etc. Hand Pays Envy 5-Card 21 3 to 2 6-Card 21 2 to 1. 64 percent for players to win and 49. The player should always take this into account when making their decisions. There are some variations of blackjack where the dealer hits on soft 17, but in most cases, they will stand on this hand. In many Blackjack games, the dealer’s chances of busting by hitting on a soft 17-hand increase slightly by 0. Dealer must hit soft 17. in the end I. The house edge increases by about 0. When the dealer has a 17 total and the hand has an Ace in it (A-6, or A-3-3, or A-2-4) the Ace is automatically counted as a ‘1’ and not an ’11’. The dealer. If the dealer's upcard is a 3, 4, 5, or 6, then she probably has a stiff hand, which means she has a good chance of going bust. Now you’ve got a 2-4-ace or a soft 17 hand. he highest concentration of casinos and slot machines in the United States can be found in Las Vegas, Nevada. Do you hit a 12 against a 2? A: Yes, I do hit a 12 against a 2. Strategy & Tips. The rule soft 17 means the dealers have to hit when they land a soft 17 hand. 2. • “Dealer Must Stand on 17” - This means that the dealer will hit their hand on anything less than a total of 17. 3 HOW TO PLAY BLACKJACK THE RULES Must be 19 years or older to play Blackjack. Player is dealt a Soft 18. SP. Threads: 136;. However, it's fractionally less when the dealer must hit soft 17. The dealer must continue to be dealt cards until the total is 17 or more, at which point the dealer must stand. The player has an edge if the casino dealer has to stand on soft 17. The standard strategy would. The dealer must stand on a hard 17 (two, three or four cards totalling at least 17 if none of them is an ace) or higher. Figures given are average win or loss per $1 of your original wager. In the case of a soft 17+, the dealer must count the ace as 11 and stand. Sierra Madre Casino (Sierra Madre) [] Blackjack pays 3 to 2. ”. Players are responsible for counting their point totals. The dealer must draw to 16 and “stand” when 17 or more is reached, or on select games, the dealer will hit a soft 17. The dealer standing on soft 17 lowers the house edge by about 0. 4%. The most heeded blackjack advice tells players never to hit on a Hard 17. · The dealer must hit Soft 17. So, there are more chances for the dealer to be able to hit and achieve a better ranking hand. In single-deck games, hit soft 18 against dealer’s Ace. It also could read: “dealer must hit soft 17” (though based on your. What is a soft 17? A: A soft 17 is a poker hand that consists of an ace, two queens and two sevens. With the Soft 17 rule, dealers must hit when they have a Soft. Therefore, the higher the dealer’s score (while it has still not reached 17) the more likely they are to go bust, especially if there are more high-value cards left in the deck. These concepts not only affect the rules of when the dealer must hit or stand, but also can also affect the player’s blackjack strategy. The version with the lowest House edge at 0. If no player accepts the cut, the dealer shall cut the cards. Share Add a Comment. New comments cannot be posted. Blackjack 17 hit or stay, dealer hits on soft 17 strategy Blackjack 17 hit or stay Blackjack 17 hit or stay While Bovada provides access to various games and categories, the platform appears more focu. Ace-6 is a soft 17, as are Ace-2-4, Ace-3-3, Ace-Ace-5 and others. Players must clearly wave their hand above the felt to stand on their hand. Played with one deck of 52 cards, this version of our favorite Casino game is the one you should choose if you consider yourself a beginner. Note: In this article, the following. • “Dealer Must Hit Soft 17” - This means that the dealer will hit their hand up to and including an ace or aces that can be totaled as either 7 or 17. All of the casinos in the Fallout game follow these rules:This applies to games where the dealer is required to hit on soft 17. However it actually raises the house edge by 0. Casino hit on soft 17 Casino hit on soft 17 American roulette is distinguished from the other versions of the game by the double-zero on the wheel. SP. SP. and I would have lost!Chris Peters. A6-dealer hits. Risk Of Ruin – Blackjack. The dealer must have at least a queen high to qualify; if not, the players are paid 1:1 on their ante, and the raise bet is returned. In most casino blackjack games, a dealer must take a card if he hits 16 or below and stand at 17 or above. In this rule, the dealer must hit on a soft 17 – increasing their chances of making a better hand between 18 and 21, therefore slightly increasing the house edge. If the dealer goes over 21 points, then any player who didn't already bust will win. Dealer Hits on Soft 17 House Edge. If an ace can act as an 11 without putting the hand over 21, it is treated as so, otherwise it’s 1. In those. Description. 2%. However, some tables say the dealer must hit soft 17, meaning he has a chance to increase his score up to 21. 22% to the house edge. Dealer's standing on soft 18, meaning dealer hits all soft 17s (H17), gives the biggest edge (0. The dealer then compares the cards and pays out wagers as prescribed in the game’s rules. Blackjack pays 3 to 2; Surrender gives 50% back; Dealer must hit soft 17; Double any two cards; Split up to 2. If any automatic shuffle machine is used in conjunction with this game, it must be a WSGC approved model, manufactured by a WSGC licensed manufacture. It is a very common rule, but by no means universal. No surrender option available. A soft 17 is any combination of cards that equal seven or less with one of those cards being an Ace. A soft 17 is any combination containing an Ace that can be counted as a 7 or 17. “Any online casino will offer bettors real money gambling options on a range of games including casino table games, slots, sports betting sites and poker rooms. You can bet on the player, banker or a tie. The reason why players should hit in such cases is that the dealer has the so-called standing hand. I mean. Every casino establishes its guidelines dictating how the dealer approaches their blackjack hand, such as directing them to hit on a soft 17 (an ace and a six). This allows you to maximize the volume of your bankroll by choosing Binion’s over the other. The rule forcing dealers to hit a soft 17 is designed to improve the house’s edge by essentially giving the. Dealers also have to make a blackjack hit or stand decision, but they are not free like you: The table rules determine whether they will hit or stand. a. A soft 13 consists of an Ace and 2, while a soft 14 blackjack hand is an Ace and 3. Examples are Ace-6, Ace-4-2, and Ace-2-Ace-3. The dealer must hit soft 17 or less. Many casinos have tables with the s17 rule (dealers stand on soft 17. Surrender (this is a late surrender, after the Dealer “peeks” to see if blackjack has already been made) is available, as is doubling down. 5% (11/7/20) Does anyone in this subreddit have any personal experience playing on BetOnline? The reason I ask is because I am getting railed. You should forfeit paired 7s against the dealer’s 10 in single-deck S17 blackjack. So, why does this matter? Well, if the dealer hits on soft 17, it means that they have more opportunities to improve their hand. Soft 16s and less: dealer hits. 6 comments. A dealer must stand on any total of 17 or more; Note that in some casinos the dealer is required to hit what is known as a “soft” 17. This is an extreme close call. Some blackjack tables require the dealer to hit soft 17. In these situations, the player has the advantage . dealer doesn't get to make decisions; she must play according to the rules set for her by the casino. Offering insurance when dealer shows an ace is universal, though. If you look at the table, you will see one of two phrases on the felt: Dealer Stands on All 17s: This is the simple version. Online Blackjack. The blackjack table rule is that the dealer must stand 17+ and hit till 16. 45%. Here’s what the different moves stand for:. When the sum of a hand is equal to 17 and includes aSome tables, though, say the dealer must hit soft 17, meaning he has a chance to increase his score up to 21. Hit soft 17 or Stand on all 17’s. Following are the expected returns for each initial hands in blackjack under the following rules. 10-2 vs. 10-2 vs. When the live blackjack dealer must hit her soft 17, she will bust 3. If the total is 17 or more, the dealer must stand. Additional comment actions. MULTI-DECK GAME WITH S17 AND DAS. You can double down after splitting your cards. The dealer has no choice on how to play their hands. Thu Dec 22 2022 01:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) A dealer hitting soft 17 may seem natural in a blackjack game. At the end of the game, if your count is the same as the Dealer’s it is a Stand-Off (nobody wins). The dealer cannot hit a hard 17 in normal blackjack. Double down on soft 19 against a dealer 6 upcard. Double after split allowed. The reason is that when the rules dictate that the dealer must hit on a soft 17 the correct play is for the player to DOUBLE the original bet. Having a hand value equal to 21 from the first two cards dealt to the player. It’s better for the player if the rules specify the dealer must stand on soft 17. The basic strategy rules for hitting soft 17 are as follows: For double- and multi-deck games, hit when the dealer‘s upcard is a 2 or 7 through ace. Blackjack Dealer Hits Soft 17. Double down if you have 11 and the dealer holds an Ace. In other games, the dealer must hit on any Soft 17. 86% 30. Against a dealer’s 4 upcard, you should play your. , a 17 with an ace currently counting as 1, not 11) vary; in some places, the dealer has to hit on soft 17, in others he stands. The rule states that a dealer must always hit on a soft 17 rather than stand. June 21, 2007. Therefore, for a fixed pay table, the game will be more player-favorable with the H17 rule than the S17 rule. A hard 17 is a hand that can only be counted as 17, meaning the dealer must stand. Blackjack cards are divided in different number values: Aces either count as one or 11 in the game. Hitting soft 17 increases the house edge by 0. Don't go over though, or you automatically lose. In most blackjack games at the casino, a dealer must take a card if he hits 16 or below and stand at 17 or above. Check salon hours before heading to the casino. 18%. The term should be "gets" to hit on soft 17. Ace-6 vs. . 2% when the h17 rule is in effect. In certain. But at some tables at casinos, a dealer must hit on a Soft 17 which means he can bolster his score of 21, and it is worth making a note of this. For example, in some games, you should always hit a soft 17 if the dealer has a 10 or a face card. A common rule for casino tables is that the dealer must hit on a Soft 17 (meaning a hand with a value of 17, containing an Ace valued 11) - if they were operating under rules as suggested in the question, that would make the Ace the worst draw for a dealer (and therefore the casino), as a 17 containing an Ace would mean only a 2, 3 or 4 would not make them bust. 3: Stand. A player may make the insurance bet when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. How do you play soft 19 in blackjack? A: You cant. In most casinos, blackjack dealers must stand on soft 17s -- combinations like ace-six or four-ace-two. There are three possible bets that you can win in baccarat, blackjack 17 hit or stand. Split up. If the dealer hits a soft 17, you should double down on an 11 if the dealer is showing an ace. No casino blackjack game will ever give the dealer a choice of what to do. Choose our Blackjack Layout – Soft 17 for a popular game variation where dealers must hit on soft 17s. This rather innocuous rule doesn’t appear to be a big deal to most players but, in fact, it is. ) Single Deck. Dealer must stand on soft 17. This professional, casino-quality blackjack layout features a stylish spade background and is available in black, blue, burgundy, and green. Some casinos have it some don’t in Vegas, but I was told by a dealer hitting a dealer soft 17 adds a . Double after split allowed. For example, A23A is a soft seventeen, so the dealer must hit. 2%. However, when the dealer’s 17 hand contains an ace which counts as 11, the hand is known as a soft 17 (ace-6, Ace-2-4, Ace-3-3 are soft 17’s). Players can figure out whether or not the soft 17 rule is in effect for the dealer by finding the rule. This is known as an ‘S17’ game. top of page. The truth of the matter is the win frequency when doubling down slightly decreases in single-deck blackjack against an ace, particularly when the dealer must hit soft 17. ago. The dealer must hit on a soft 17 (two, three or four cards totalling 17, if one of them is an ace) or lower. Doubling after pair slitting allowed. They have "Fun 21" but I did not take any notes other to note that they had a table. In this rule, the dealer must hit on a soft 17 – increasing their chances of making a better hand between 18 and 21, therefore slightly increasing the house edge. As a player, you can do virtually whatever you like with your hand, but the dealer must act according to a simple rule. The Dealer will stay on all hard hands 17 or higher. If a dealer has an unsound 17, they must hit. Try to get as close to 21 without going over (busting). If the dealer has a hard 17, they must stay. . The two main criteria that affect the exact strategy to be used in a blackjack game are number of decks used and whether the dealer has to stand or hit on soft 17. If you are playing a double-deck game -- hold onto to your hats for this one -- the right way to play it depends on whether the game is s17 or h17 and sometimes the makeup of the cards in your hand. Figures given are average win or loss per $1 of your original wager. The house will win when players bust, regardless of the final dealer hand. The bets in single-deck blackjack payout as follows – Blackjack 3:2, Insurance bet 2:1, and other winning hands 1:1.