Most blackjack hands are hard, but the most powerful hands are soft. What do these terms mean in the realm of online casino table games? This guide will provide more info on identifying and playing soft vs. hard blackjack hands.
Blackjack Hand Values
To determine the total value of a blackjack hand, each card is scored according to its pip value. For example, a 9 of hearts is worth 9 points.
There are two exceptions to this rule: face cards are always scored as 10, and aces can be scored either as one or 11. Understanding how to use aces, just like understanding blackjack terminology, is crucial to playing soft hands vs hard hands.
What is a Soft Hand in Blackjack?
A soft hand is any hand which contains an ace scored as 11. Because aces can score as ones or 11s, this gives players extra flexibility, as hitting comes with less risk. If the hand total tips over 21, the ace switches to a score of one, and the hand does not bust. As such, blackjack strategy for soft hands encourages more risk-taking to try to maximize the hand’s potential.
Here are a few examples of soft hands:
- 12 (double aces)
- 15 (ace and 4)
- 19 (ace and 8)
What is a Hard Hand in Blackjack?
A hard hand is one without any aces, or with aces scored as one. This leaves players with no flexibility, and hitting comes with the normal level of risk. Most blackjack hands are hard hands. While a natural blackjack is technically a hard hand, its instant-win nature means the inflexibility doesn’t matter.
Here are a few examples of hard hands:
- 14 (2, 3, 4, and 5)
- 18 (face and 8; 10 and 8; 9 and 9)
- 20 (face and face)
Soft vs. Hard Hands For Dealers
Blackjack rules for soft hands differ between players and dealers. While players can change how their ace is scored whenever they like, dealers must stick to certain rules on when to hit or stand in blackjack, regardless of whether they have a soft or hard hand.
The most common example of this rule is the “stand on soft 17” rule. Dealers usually stand on a hand of 17, but some casinos say dealers must hit if it’s a soft 17. Others insist the dealer stands even on a soft 17 and wastes the low-risk opportunity to hit. Always check with the dealer or read the rules of a blackjack online game to understand the specifics.
How to Play Soft vs. Hard Hands in Blackjack
When learning how to play blackjack online, understanding how to play soft and hard hands is critical for players to increase their odds of winning. This is because the ability to overhaul a given hand total by swapping an 11 for a one makes soft hands incredibly powerful. Soft vs. hard blackjack hands play very differently, as the former is perfect for risk-taking and the latter is good for cautious gameplay.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s better to hit and take risks when the dealer’s up-card is high. But when the dealer’s card is low, focus on not busting.
When deciding when to stand, most experts recommend standing on hands of 17 or higher. However, a soft hand provides an extra opportunity to safely hit, even on 17 and up.
Blackjack Variants to Test Your New Knowledge
When players are deciding whether to play blackjack online, there are hundreds of different blackjack variants, including traditional blackjack games, to choose from.
Once players have decided which blackjack variant they want to play, they can place their bets and get the action going. Here are several examples of blackjack variants where players can experience the difference between soft and hard hands in action:
- All Bets Blackjack
- Blazing Blackjack 7’s
- Canada Blackjack
- One Blackjack
