Soft Hands Online
As an internet blackjack player, a hand containing an Ace gives us a bit of flexibility in the play of our blackjack hand. Just as each card has a value ranging from two to ten – with each card holding its numeric value (face cards are of course worth ten), an ace has value. However, unlike the rest of the deck, the Ace can represent a value of either one or eleven.
Hands containing an Ace are referred to as “soft hands,” as the total can change to suit our needs. For example, according to the basic blackjack rules, a hand containing an Ace and a Six can be utilized either as a Seven or as Seventeen. The hand count is referred to as a “Soft Seventeen.” Because of the versatile nature of soft hands, these hands cannot always play based on a standard hand count of basic blackjack strategy. The soft hands can deviate from the hand count because the value can change. Where it may be in our best interest to stand when our cards total seventeen, holding a soft seventeen may allow us to hit profitably because of the soft hand’s flexible characteristics.
When to Hit Soft Hands
When holding a soft thirteen or soft fourteen at any of the online casinos, you should hit when the dealer holds any card other than a five or six. When the dealer holds an up card of five or six, you should double down as opposed to hitting.
When you hold a soft hand like fifteen or soft sixteen, double down when the dealer holds an up card from four to six in value, otherwise take a hit.
Should you hold a soft seventeen, you should hit your hand when the dealer shows a two, seven, eight, nine, ten or ace. In the event the dealer displays a three, four, five or six you should double down on your bet.
If you hold a soft eighteen, you want to hit when the dealer holds a nine, ten, or ace. Additionally, you will look to double down when the dealer shows a three, four, five or six. Stand when the dealer shows a deuce, seven, or eight.
You should always stand when you hold a soft nineteen or soft twenty. When you have a soft twenty-one, you naturally want to stand.
When you play internet blackjack, understanding how you should adjust your strategy in instances of soft hand totals is key to the long-term profitability from playing the game of blackjack.