In a hit soft 17 game, all of the previous examples the dealer would hit instead, either getting a small card and making a better soft total. It has a house edge of about 0. To Double Up, the player will make an additional wager, equal to his original wager, in the designated Double Up circle. Single Deck Blackjack: Dealer Hits on Soft 17. Learn how the Soft 17 rule affects the dealer's and the player's strategy in blackjack, and how it impacts the house edge and your chances of winning. Hit soft 18 (A7) vs dealer 9, 10 and Ace. If the dealer has to stand with a soft 17, that will give you better odds. Similar to other types of American blackjack, the dealer receives two cards, one face-up. Rules. Double soft 19 (A8) vs dealer 6. During this, remember to double down on your cards when the following situations occur: When you have an 11 and the dealer shows an ace. If the card is 17 or higher, the dealer is required to stay. Rating. To make a soft 17, the Ace must be counted as 11 or one. The rules refer to the dealer, or more precisely, the decision the dealer will make once they get a soft 17/hard 17 hand or higher. This is the ideal playing strategy for playing Blackjack (21) when the dealer hits on a soft 17 (most places in the US). Along with its neighbor soft 17, soft 18 is one of the most frequently misplayed hands in blackjack. Split aces get one card only. 1% of the time. Although both the soft and. However, soft 18 against a dealer ace when the dealer stands on soft 17 provides the only known exception that I am aware of for any number of decks. It doesn't matter if the dealer gets 21 or 25. This is particularly advantageous for players who find themselves with a soft 17 while the dealer only holds a 6. Double 11 vs dealer Ace. whether a dealer hits on a soft 17 (soft seventeen is where an ace is used as eleven in the dealer's hand), whether you want. Dealer stands on soft 17. Casino. 2%. Here are a few pointers to have in mind: Always stand on soft 19 or 20 ; Stand when you have soft 18 against the dealer’s 2–8 ; If the dealer shows 9–ace, you should hit on a soft 17 or less; Blackjack Hit or Stand Charts. 22% to the house. Spanish blackjack: One of the multi-deck games played with eight decks, and the dealer stands on soft 17 (a hand containing an ace that totals either seven or 17). Also, some casinos require the dealer to stand with a soft 17, and some mandate the dealer to hit with a soft 17. This hand is also known as a “soft seven”. The rule is. Live Evolution Gaming Blackjack Chart Players playing on the Evolution Gaming's Live Blackjack tables have requested a separate chart as the dealer will check for Blackjack if the face-up card is. House edge:. In the most popular, classic version of blackjack, the dealer will dish out two cards to themselves and two to you. Source: long time blackjack player and then dealer. Deviations vary based on the rules of the game offered, and the rules of the region. For you to use the basic strategy, you look up your hand from the vertical edge and the upcard of the dealer. Appendix 7 :Effect of card removal. Stand on hard 17 or more. Las. a soft hand over twelve which contains aces. According to casino rules, a dealer must draw if their hand totals less than 17 and stand if it is between 17 and 21. But Soft 17 can be made with three or even more cards, as long as the Ace is there like Ace-Ace-2-4, Ace-3-3 etc. Look at the blackjack felt, and it will either say, “Dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17s” for S17, or “Dealer must Hit Soft 17” for H17. 36%. For example, in some games, the dealer must stand on a Soft 17, that is, an Ace, plus any combination of cards equaling 6. The Dealer’s average hand amount is. That's an important difference when deciding. py","path":"src/blackjack/game/__init__. Blackjack buffs are better off when dealers must stand on rather than hit "soft 17s" hands like ace-six or ace-four-two where ace is valued at 11. But at the same time, their chances of forming 18 or more go up a. How should I play a soft 17? Your. Learn how to play blackjack like a pro with this handy chart that shows you the optimal strategy for any situation. ago. 13%: Splitting Aces Prohibited +0. In Atlantic City blackjack players can split twice, up to three hands. Player may not re-split Aces. After splitting aces, the player may only stand or Double Up. Stand on 17 and up. Soft 17 Double After Split Double Splits Number Re split aces Draw to split aces Peek Surr-ender Return Total Decks Live Game; Blackjack: 1. 36%. These two factors combined make doubling down a good way to get. Double soft 19 (A8) vs dealer 6. When you have a soft 16, 17, or 18 A “soft” hand is when you have an ace since it counts as either 1 or 11. In fact, below are five common mistakes made by players; but first, I want to be sure you understand what is meant by a “soft 17” hand. The blackjack on this section of the Strip is among the worst on the Las Vegas Strip, value-wise, for low-limit players. A soft blackjack hand is any hand of two cards which contains an ace. Blackjack pays 3 to 2, and insurance pays 2 to 1. In The Blackjack 21, the dealer must draw to 16 and stand on soft 17. Blackjack Rules. There are three types of blackjack games at Mount Airy Casino. Connecticut casinos offer similar rules for blackjack: Natural blackjack normally pays 3-to-2. You don't always double; you double if the TC>=-1. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Sometimes, rules talk of “soft 17” or “hard 17”. Surrender 15, 8’s, and 17 vs. Hit soft 18 vs. Face cards are worth 10, aces either one or 11. In Atlantic City blackjack players can split twice, up to three hands. Nearly all low-limit tables, even those that use multiple decks, now have the dealer hit soft 17. Double soft 18 vs. Blackjack Surrender – Surrendering in blackjack is a great move when used in the right situation. Dealer Stands on Soft 17. Dealers hit, too, and one of the most important rules is whether the dealer hits on a soft 17. Blackjack Rules: dealer hits on Soft 17 (H17), double down after splitting allowed, no resplitting aces, blackjack pays 6:5. Since the ace can either be 1 or 11, this means that the hand containing the ace can either be one of two numbers and usually it’s the number that is most beneficial to the player. Hard Vs Soft 17 Blackjack Petit Casino 7 Rue Esquermoise South Point Casino Arena Seating Chart Grey Eagle Casino Concerts 2018. )SP. When the dealer hits soft 17, basic strategy calls for surrender in three more situations: Hard 15 against an Ace; hard 17 against an Ace and 8-8 against an Ace. Those that hit stand on Soft 17: Argosy Lawrenceburg IN. 2% when the dealer has to stand on soft 17. Atlantic City rules are no resplitting, split aces get only one card each, double down allowed after split, dealer stands on soft 17, blackjack pays 3 to 2, insurance pays 2 to 1, and 4, 6, or 8 decks are used, but you will find only 8 decks for less than $25 minimums. This gives you a good chance of getting a high total (19 to 21) with one more card, while the dealer is likely to bust or end up with a low total. If you would like to figure out how to win the games, you need to have a device that costs more than the others, what is a soft 16 in blackjack. Palms is the only casino in the locals and off-Strip markets with a double-deck game that stands on a soft 17. The dealer must hit 16 or less and stand on 17 or more. 02%; Switched blackjack automatically wins: -0. (e. There are 16 total tables, for 1 to 8 decks and whether or not the dealer stands or hits on soft 17. See moreThis "soft" designation is crucial, because it means you cannot bust by taking a hit. dealer’s 6. However, if we skip ties, the probability is 46. Aria offers two extremes of blackjack games. Find out the best ways to play Soft 17 in different blackjack games and how to count cards with this rule. He was the basis for the main character of the book Bringing Down the House (where he was renamed Kevin Lewis). If the total exceeds 21, the ace will be valued at one to prevent the hand from busting. The player will benefit more if the dealer stands on a soft 17. If the dealer hits over 21, or busts, all remaining player hands win the round. The main difference between soft 17 vs hard 17 is the ease of play: You should always stand with a Hard 17. As you begin to play make sure to keep your basic strategy guide open on a separate window so you can refer to it quickly. ” You draw a 3 and you now have 15 against a dealer’s 2. 42%. Use hand signals to let the dealer know what you want to do. Soft Blackjack Hands. The player may not Double Up on a blackjack. The showdown is dictated by comparing the player's and dealer's best hand values. Yet, on the appendix, the player's expected return is HIGHER if you hit, rather than double (compare . 5 pt thickness / 120 lb weight / 324 GSM. In a similar way, it is possible to determine the correct decisions for any player hand values in these casino games. Arnold is also the author of our books The Blackjack Shuffle Tracker's Cookbook and Risk of Ruin. The dealer hits soft 17 at all El Cortez blackjack tables. Let’s look at some of the common variations and how they stack up when the dealer hits on soft 17. dealer’s Ace. Here’s what you need to know: The aim of Atlantic City blackjack is still to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. The blackjack chart under “Help” will update depending on the online cialis sale options and rules of the game. WAR BLACKJACK BETTING A round of War Blackjack begins with each player placing two (2) separate bets on the table, (1) in the War bonus wager circle or logo directly in front of the player (note: this bet is optional) and (2)High quality, full-color, full-bleed printing on both sides. A table paying 6-to-5 with dealer hitting on soft 17. Meanwhile, when the dealer is required to hit on Soft 17, they can improve their hand value and end up with either 18, 19, 20 or 21. Blackjack soft hands strategy ultimately makes it impossible to lose your hand when you have an Ace. Las Vegas Itinerary. such as a soft 17, 18, or 19. In this case, they push—in other words, the player who got Blackjack simply gets their original bet back. Re: Blackjack Rules: s17 vs. If the dealer is allowed to hit on soft 17, the edge increases by about 0. Blackjack Tips. Even if the dealer is showing an Ace or 10, it is best to hold the hand than to try improving it further given the small number of cards that can be beneficial. 5% of hands dealt to an average player. It is also possible for dealers to land soft hands. SP. Blackjack strategy table explained. D. Otherwise, all blackjack there pays 6-5. You can play any type of slot for free. ISBN-10. 246K subscribers in the poker community. If the draw creates a bust hand by counting the ace as an 11, the player simply counts the ace as a 1 and continues playing by standing or "hitting" (asking the dealer for additional cards, one. However, if the dealer has a soft hand, he can choose to stand on the Soft 17, and the Soft 17 can be formed in a variety of ways. Four-deck variants are less common nowadays. The availability for this game is much larger than the double-deck one described above. 16 - Soft 17 - Soft 18 - Soft 19 to 21 Splitting pairs: Aces - 2's - 3's - 4's - 5's - 6's - 7's - 8's - 9's - 10's. House edge: 0. 36%. The cards are easy to use, but if you need more information, complete instructions can be found at StrategyCard. Regardless of the number of decks, and only in games where the dealer hits soft 17, you should surrender your pair of 8s against a dealer’s Ace. To describe all the details, there is no need to spend a lot of words, but it is still necessary to analyze it. At the conclusion of each round of play, the dealer will collect all losing wagers and pay off all winning wagers. Ace - 2 Ace - 2 - 2 hand. If you’re playing a multi-deck game and you have a hard 11, double down instead of taking a hit. Similar to other types of American blackjack, the dealer receives two cards, one face-up. That bonus is also known as 3 to 2 and this describes the odds the player is paid when getting a blackjack. Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart: 4/6/8 Decks, Dealer Hits Soft 17. Jeff Ma or Jeffrey Ma (born 1973) was a member of the MIT Blackjack Team in the mid-1990s. Conversely, hitting can help improve your hand without the risk of busting on a soft 17 or lower. 17: The Ace-Five card counting method; 18: Basic strategy exceptions for three to six cards; 19: Blackjack splitting strategy when a back-player is betting; 20: Blackjack doubling strategy when doubling after splitting aces is allowed; 21: Details on the Wizard’s Simple Strategy; Miscellaneous. 4 cents per dollar. Dealer Stands on Soft 17. [1] He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy. Why is. This is where the S17 vs H17 rule comes in. In many Blackjack games, the dealer’s chances of busting by hitting on a soft 17-hand increase slightly by 0. Stand on soft 19 (A8) or more. A 10-7 is an example of a hard hand, but so is A-7-9; if the hand doesn’t contain an ace or has one or more aces counted as one, then the. e. A starting hand of a 10 valued card and an Ace is called a Blackjack or natural and beats all hands other than another Blackjack. Dealer’s Up card is a 6. The blackjack table will EITHER be dealer hits soft 17, OR dealer stays soft 17. Locals casinos and off-Strip 3:2 blackjack games Double-deck games Stand on 17. Appendix 4 :Details on the standard deviation in blackjack. There are eight casinos in this section. Las Vegas Blackjack Survey Blog PostsDealer hits on soft-17. Quoting from Wikipedia (due to lack of an official online source for blackjack rules):. amalianc. The house will win when players bust, regardless of the final dealer hand. The blackjack soft 17 rule is one of the most important things to know before playing. For example, a hand of Ace + 6 is a Soft 17. Learn how soft 17 blackjack affects the dealer's play and the player's chances of winning. This is the most common ruleset online. Never bet more than half your stack on a. Double down on any two cards. Still, a single-deck game with the soft 17 rule is a better game for most blackjack players than a typical multiple-deck game. Dealer must hit soft 17: A "soft". The RTP is a portion of most of the wagered cash the slot repays to its members. Double after split allowed. In Blackjack free by Brainium, the dealer must draw to 16 and stand on soft 17. The rule is generally made clear to players as it is often. Of course, there are variances between casinos, and even variance between the blackjack games offered in a single casino. MGM Resorts owns seven of the eight. So breathe easy. A hard hand is a total that is set. Dealer hits on soft 17. Because aces are worth either 1 or 11, even if you draw a high-value card like a 10, it will be added to 6, 7, or 8 and give you a relatively high total, although you would be cheering for a low-value card instead so to get closer to 21. 4-8 Deck Blackjack, Dealer Hits on Soft 17: 4-8 Deck Blackjack, Dealer Stands on Soft 17: How to read strategy charts: Blackjack strategy charts usually follow an XY graph format. Blackjack Rules: dealer hits on Soft 17 (H17), double after split allowed (DAS), resplit aces (RSA), surrender offered, continuous shuffle machine * The taller the RED bar, the worse your odds are. We had an enjoyable lunch at the Brios Tuscan Grill. Palms is the only casino in the locals and off-Strip markets with a double-deck game that stands on a soft 17. All other Flamingo blackjack games hit soft 17. Aces however, can only be split once. Boss Media Appendix 1 has a composition dependent basic strategy for single-deck, dealer stands on soft 17, blackjack. If you have a soft 16 (A-5) treat it as a 6 which means always hit; The same actions above will apply if you have hit for 3 cards, 4 cards, or 5 cards and your total 16 for all cards! Playing 17+ Totals on 6 Deck Blackjack Tables. Whether to hit or stand on a soft fifteen or sixteen, or double down. Following are the expected returns for each initial hands in blackjack under the following rules. For years in Las Vegas dealers have been forced to stand on all 17’s. A soft total is one that cannot “break” if one more card is taken like a 17 comprised of an Ace and a 6. In most casinos, the dealer is required to stand on soft 17 (and any hand with an ace totalling 17 or more). Publication date. How to play correct basic strategy when you have a soft 15 or a soft 16 in a blackjack game. Reasoning. 55%. However, if we skip ties, the probability is 46. Soft-17 – a soft-17 is a. The player and the dealer. Locals casinos and off-Strip 3:2 blackjack games Double-deck games Stand on 17. Vegas Strip Blackjack: By Las Vegas rules, blackjack is played with four. Blackjack games where the dealer hits on soft 17 have a . When the dealer hits soft 17, the house edge against a basic strategy player is about two-tenths of a percent higher than if he stands. Blackjack Burnout. If you like casino games but don’t want to risk your own money, this section of our website with free online casino games is just for you. And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the soft 17 and hard 17 blackjack rules. 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. 36%. Hits a soft 17Doubling down soft blackjack hands is a strategy that professional blackjack players love to devise and execute. A blackjack soft 17 hand is any hand that contains an ACE (where the counted ACE is 11) and any other card that makes it up to 17. For example, ACE-6 is a blackjack soft 17 hand, 2-2-ACE-2 is also a blackjack soft 17 hand. When a dealer is allowed to hit soft 17, it adds about 0. 6% of the time. You can always count that Ace as 1 instead of 11. SP. Therefore, the astute blackjack player will try to avoid blackjack tables where the dealer can hit on soft 17. 4/6/8 Decks, Dealer Hits Soft 17. First, 17 is a weak hand; it pushes another 17 and loses to any other "made" total. Standing in this situation will only give you a return. Format is as follows: 9 / A - You have 9 points and the dealer drew an Ace, X-X - a pair of X's, Soft ## - Ace high, Double-Hit - double or hit if. It also allows doubling down before and after splitting, but not re-splitting aces or surrendering. All other Las Vegas six- and eight-deck blackjack games hit on soft 17. 2%. Double down after splits is allowed (except when splitting aces). Wynn Casino in Las Vegas is a place where high rollers fill the tables. Dealer Rules: The dealer must stand on a hard 17 or higher value hand. Written by: Michael Shackleford Soft 17. So when we are talking about whether a 17 is hard or soft, the Ace is integral to the hand. The book I'm using is "Professional Blackjack" by Stanford Wong, but some deviation numbers are different from the source I found on the internet, so I'm not sure which one is correct. Hit soft 18 (A7) vs dealer 9, 10 and Ace. Hitting and Standing. " Notice that the ace must count as 1 in this hand; if it counted as 11, the hand would "bust" (i. 06% 7. Its $100 tables stand on all 17s. Allows custom filters for variations too. Step 2: receive. #10. Bally’s, The Cromwell, Paris and Rio deal $10 or $15 3:2 eight-deck blackjack during slower hours. 2) $25 minimum table same as above but 3 to 2 payout on blackjacks. The following would be examples of soft hands: A-2 = Soft 13; A-3 = Soft 14; A-4 = Soft 15; A-5 = Soft 16; A-6 = Soft 17; A soft hand is one that cannot be busted by taking one hit. The. Atlantic City Blackjack. WHAT IS SOFT 17 IN A BLACKJACK GAME? To grasp the soft 17 rule in blackjack, let’s zoom out first and look at the fundamental elements of your standard blackjack game. Soft Blackjack Hands. 6 decks. Blackjack can be played with a single deck or 4-8 decks. This is called a “Stand 17” game. Made and printed in the USA. Blackjack pays 3 to 2. 7 cents per $1 of your original bet. 22% higher house edge than games with S17 rule in effect. 8 decks. Let me determine the correct basic strategy for you, under just about any set of rules, using my basic strategy calculator. The New Blackjack offered at Ignition Casino has the following rules: Minimum bet per hand $1; Maximum bet per hand. Double soft 15 or 16 vs. What does stand on soft 17 mean? 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. Until all players didn’t have Blackjack or busted the dealer won’t open up the card face of the hidden card. Split a pair of 8s & Aces. Blackjack is a comparing card game between a player and. 40%: Dealer stands on soft 17. Games . 1. Player should Double Down. When the dealer hits a soft 17, the house gets an opportunity to improve the hand. Check out our full guide to Live Slots Streaming. Books To Read Online. Dealer Stands on Soft 17 – This rule can affect the house edge by more than 0. This comes into play most often when the dealer’s face up card is an Ace and basic strategy players hit until they have 17 or better. Remember that blackjack can be played with multiple decks, ranging from 1 to 8, and there are other rules like “dealer stands on soft 17” that can influence the odds and the outcome. This card is easy to use and durable, and it can help you reduce the house edge and win more at blackjack. 22% to the house edge. Blackjack can be played with a single deck or 4-8 decks. 7: If you stand, average losses are 47. Publisher. The general rule of thumb in most casino blackjack games is that the dealer always hits a total of 16 or less and always lands a total of 17 or more. Doubling down soft blackjack hands is a strategy that professional blackjack players love to devise and execute. You then get one more card – and only one. In general, this rule actually decreases the advantage to the house, according to this article. 0982119135. There are occasions, however, when a dealer hits a soft 19 with an ace; some variations of blackjack may not let you stand on a soft 19 and in other casinos, they may let you stand. It allows for doubling down before and after splitting. Blackjack was my closest thing to meditation and shutting out thinking about my job, etc. 00% . Player may double on any two cards. Dealer will peek for blackjack with an ace or ten up. There are some fabulous casino gamers who stream their slots action online for free. And a dealer total of 12 is a lot less likely to bust. Learn the difference between soft and hard hands in blackjack, and how to use the soft 17 rule to your advantage. 1 Deck, Dealer Hits Soft 17. In fact, standard online Blackjack sessions are completed with 6 to 8 decks,. The dealer cannot hit a hard 17 in normal blackjack. On these soft hands, taking an extra card turns a house edge into a player edge. A soft hand is generally considered better than a hard hand (a hand without an ace) , as it provides the player with more options and thus increases their chances of winning. A hand comprising an ace and a 6 is a "soft 17. A Pure 21. It has a house edge of about 0. Also, the basic playing strategy for playing a blackjack soft 17 is different from a hard 17. With the soft 17 rule, it stands to be a handy companion for the dealer. For more on this, read Chapter 2 in the Ultimate Blackjack Strategy Guide. e. Other rules include whether you can double down after a split. The table minimum starts at $25, and you’ll need to hunt for a table that pays 3:2. It has a $100 minimum. Re: Blackjack Rules: s17 vs. The good thing about this variation is that you will. Blackjack soft dealer 17 hits deck multi strategy hit chart basic bj choices playerWhen to hit in blackjack charts black « todellisia rahaa online-kasino Blackjack strategy basic hit stand table casino when odds counting winning losing start guide opposite doing if simple15 of the best blackjack strategies by pro henry tamburin ph. Dealer must hit on soft 17. October 1, 2008. As more casinos have switched games to dealer hits soft-17 and blackjack pays 6:5, the average house edge in Nevada has increased to 1%. 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. 13%. , dealer must hit soft 17). The house edge for this version is about 0. The rules will be clear on each table at online and live casinos so that you can take your pick. When appropriately used, late surrender, available in Virgin’s High Stakes and Atlantic City Blackjack, can reduce the house edge by 0. I hear in Ontario, Canada, the dealer stands on soft 17. Kind of funny that both my individual therapist and my spouse & my couple’s therapist actually would periodically suggest that I take a blackjack getaway. Order it. In contrast, a hard hand is simply one without an Ace, or which includes an Ace but it can bust if another card is. Also, some casinos require the dealer to stand with a soft 17, and some mandate the dealer to hit with a soft 17. One thing to consider is whether your blackjack hand are soft or hard. This is a great way to learn about slot strategy. As part of our annual Vegas blackjack survey, we detail which casinos have these games and their rules. , go over 21). Soft 17 is a polarizing hand for the dealer because in some places dealers must hit on it, other places they stay on it. The correct basic strategy for hitting a soft 17 is as follows: For a single-deck game, hit soft 17 when the dealer’s upcard is 7 through ace. How Do Blackjack Variations Impact the Odds and House Edge (Blackjack Odds Table) Whether the dealer hits or stands after a soft 17, the number of decks, side bets, or if blackjack is paid in 3:2 or 6:5 odds are just some of the factors that impact the odds of winning and the overall house edge. Understanding the dynamics of soft 17 blackjack is crucial because it is one of the few situations where your decisions can significantly affect the outcome of the game. Jan 7, 2021. The following cards can also create a soft 17: Ace - 3 - 3 hand. Otherwise, hit. Hitting soft 17 increases the house edge by 0. The dealer’s chance to bust increases. ISBN-13. Blackjack basic strategy chart : 1 deck, dealer hits soft 17Strategy blackjack basic dealer chart 17 soft hits hit stand table deck casino when odds counting multi losing winning start Blackjack when to hit or stay chartBlackjack chart hit. Most Caesars Entertainment properties deal a six-deck game in high limit that stands on all 17’s. Therefore, an ace-6 is a soft 17. Fremont’s Blackjack Tables. Some allow. The Soft 17 rule can drastically alter the outcome of games if players are not used to the rule. At such a blackjack table, the dealer must draw on all soft 17 hands until he or she obtains a point total of a hard 17 or higher. Wizard Recommends. 17 versus ace is surrender instead of stand. Nearly all physical casinos use a six-deck shoe, giving the house a slightly higher edge. If you start practicing Basic Strategy with our Blackjack Training Drills,. If it is more than 6, Stand. Taking a stand on a 19 or higher hand is often the best blackjack strategy if you have a soft hand. Here is the list of casinos I have been to this year. The player’s opening two cards in a game of blackjack with a single deck are dealt face down. Language. If theWhat is a soft 16 in blackjack. Appendix 3c :Composition dependent exceptions to single deck basic strategy where the dealer hits a soft 17. In all Blackjack games, the dealer will hit. And this rule does not take into account whether the total is soft or hard. In blackjack, the Ace can be. Double down on any two cards. One is a double deck with double down before and after splitting. This is the best possible situation for the player as far as soft rule 17 is concerned. In some variants the dealer must stand on a soft 17, while in others the dealer must hit. In other words, if you are dealt a soft hand you cannot bust the hand. Hitting soft 17 gives the dealer the chance to make the 18, 19, 20 and 21 hands that can win on their own against a player pat hand.