Dear Mark,
Which is better, playing on a blackjack game where
the dealer hits a soft 17, or on one in which he
stands? Also, should the player mimic the dealer
and hit or stand based on the dealer's rules? Finally,
I would like to know the correct basic strategy
play for a soft 18. I learned that when one has
an ace/seven, the smart play is to stand on a dealer's
2, 7, 8, and hit all others. Bud W.
It
is slightly better to play on a game where the dealer
stands on a soft 17. When you play a game in which the
dealer hits a soft 17, you give the house an additional
two-tenths of 1% advantage. Why? When a soft 17 is showing,
an ace, 2, 3, or 4 improves the dealer's hand and a
10, jack, queen or king leaves it of equivalent value.
Consequently, eight of every 13 cards either improves
the dealer's hand or keeps it the same. If any of the
other five cards are drawn, the dealer still
has a chance to convalesce
his hand with another draw. As for the second part
of your question, Bud, basic strategy dictates that
you the player should always hit a soft 17, or double
down against a dealer who's showing a 3, 4, 5, 6.
Unfortunately, Bud, a 17 in blackjack is a hell-bound
hand over the long haul. But, the alternative strategy
of hitting a hard 17 would only multiply your losses.
However, with a soft 17 you at least have the possibility
of taking another card, which could improve your
hand. This is why basic strategy charts dictate
either hitting or doubling down, but never standing
on a soft 17.
As for the soft 18 question, your play is nearly
correct. An ace-seven is one of those tricky hands
about which numerous experts disagree. The consensus
is to stand on 2, 7, 8; double down when playing
rules allows it against a 3-6; and hit against a
9 or 10 count card. But against an ace, the pros
are nearly divided between hitting and standing.
I side with the half that recommends hitting when
confronting an ace.
