Guide
Blackjack Soft Hand Explained Simply
Quick Summary
- A soft hand contains an ace counted as 11, so it cannot bust on the next card.
- Soft 17 is an ace plus a six, and table rules about it can differ.
- Basic strategy charts tell you the usual choice, but they do not remove the house edge.
- Check the live table's rules panel on KKFB for dealer and payout rules.
If you have watched a blackjack table for a few minutes, you will have heard the dealer or another player say "soft seventeen". It sounds like jargon, but it is a gentle idea once you see it. In this post we explain what a soft hand is, why it feels safer, and how to think about decisions. We are an independent guide, not KKFB, and rules shown at the table you open are the ones that apply.
What makes a hand soft
An ace can count as 1 or 11. A hand is soft when the ace is counted as 11 without taking the total over 21. An ace and a six make a soft 17, because the ace is 11 and the total is 17. A hand with no ace, or where the ace has to count as 1, is a hard hand.
The great thing about a soft hand is that you cannot go bust with one more card. If you draw a ten on a soft 17, the ace changes from 11 to 1 and you have a hard 17. You are not worse off than before, and you may even be able to try again.
Soft versus hard, with examples
Imagine you hold an ace and a four. That is a soft 15. Another card of any value will not bust you: a nine turns it into a hard 14 (the ace now counts as 1), and a six gives you a total of 21. Now compare a hard 15, such as ten and five. Another ten would bust you.
That difference is why basic strategy treats soft hands more boldly than hard hands of the same number.
| Hand | Type | Bust risk on next card? |
|---|---|---|
| Ace + 6 | Soft 17 | No |
| Ten + 7 | Hard 17 | Yes, on a five or more |
| Ace + 4 | Soft 15 | No |
| Ten + 5 | Hard 15 | Yes, on a seven or more |
The dealer's soft 17
Tables differ on whether the dealer must hit or stand on a soft 17. Some require the dealer to stand, some to hit. When the dealer hits soft 17, the house gets a slightly better position. The rule is usually printed on the table or in the rules panel. We cannot say which rule applies at any particular KKFB table, so look before you sit.
Basic strategy and its limits
A basic strategy chart is a table showing the usual best play for each hand against each dealer card. It is built from maths, not luck, and helps you avoid obvious errors such as standing on a very low soft hand. But it does not remove the house edge, and it does not tell you what the next card is. Our pages on live blackjack and the live casino hub cover other rules.
Doubling and splitting with soft hands
Soft hands are also where doubling down comes up. Some tables let you double your stake after seeing the first two cards, taking exactly one more card. Because a soft hand cannot bust on that card, doubling on certain soft totals against a weak dealer card is a common basic-strategy choice. It is not a rule for every table, since the doubling rules differ.
Check whether the table lets you double on any two cards, and what it does with split aces. Those details change the chart, and the rules panel is the place to read them.
Staying level at the table
Because soft hands feel safe, some players raise their bet when they get one. Do not. Your hand does not change the next hand, and a streak does not predict. Decide your stake before you sit, take a break when your time is up and read responsible gaming if you notice chasing.
In three steps
Playing a soft hand in 3 steps
- 1Spot the ace
Check whether an ace is being counted as 11 without busting.
- 2Check the dealer card
Compare your hand to the dealer's upcard before deciding to hit or stand.
- 3Follow your plan
Use a basic strategy chart if you like, and keep your stake steady.
Keep reading
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Your questions
What is a soft 17 in blackjack?
It is a hand with an ace counted as 11 and a total of 17, such as an ace and a six. You cannot bust with one more card.
Should I always hit a soft 17?
Basic strategy often suggests hitting soft 17 against many dealer cards, but there are exceptions. Check a chart that matches the table's rules.
Does the dealer hit soft 17?
It depends on the table. The rules panel should say. Check it before you play.
Does a soft hand mean I am likely to win?
No. A soft hand reduces your risk of busting on the next card, but you can still lose to the dealer.
Can I count cards to beat the table?
Not realistically in online live games, where decks are often reshuffled. Do not rely on it.