Hard total · Dealer shows A
Hard 17 vs a dealer ace
Basic strategyStand. Surrender only if the dealer hits soft 17 and surrender is offered.
Why
Hard 17 is a losing hand against an ace, but hitting it is worse: anything above a 4 busts you. So you stand in most games.
When the dealer hits soft 17, their ace becomes more likely to reach 18 or better, and standing on 17 loses slightly more than half your bet. That's why 17 vs ace becomes a surrender at H17 tables that allow it.
By the numbers
Average result per $100 initial bet, after the dealer checks for blackjack. A negative number is an average loss; the best play is the one that loses least or wins most.
| Play | Dealer hits soft 17 | Dealer stands on soft 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Hit | −$57.94 | −$55.73 |
| Stand | −$51.56Best w/o surrender | −$47.80Best |
| Double (2× bet) | −$115.87 | −$111.46 |
| Surrender (if offered) | −$50.00Best | −$50.00 |
Dealer hits soft 17: stand beats hit by $6.37 per $100. Dealer stands on soft 17: stand beats hit by $7.93 per $100.
Infinite-deck model, which tracks a 6–8 deck shoe closely. Double after split allowed, no resplits. How we calculate.
How the table rules change it
| Table rules (4–8 decks, double after split unless noted) | Play |
|---|---|
| Dealer hits soft 17, no surrender Most Florida and Las Vegas tables | Stand |
| Dealer hits soft 17, surrender allowed Some higher-limit tables | Surrender |
| Dealer stands on soft 17, no surrender Felt says “stands on all 17s” | Stand |
| Dealer stands on soft 17, surrender allowed Best common shoe game | Stand |
The rules change this play. Read the felt before you sit down.
Common mistake
Hitting hard 17 because it "can't win." It wins or pushes often enough that standing beats hitting by a wide margin.
Going further
This hand is one of the clearest examples of how the soft-17 rule changes your strategy, not just the house edge.
Drill it
This hand first, then the spots people mix it up with. The switches match your table’s rules and carry over to the full trainer.
Questions
What about soft 17 (A,6) vs an ace?
That's different: always hit or double soft 17. Never stand on it.
Should I take insurance with 17 vs an ace?
No. Insurance is a losing bet unless you're counting cards.