Soft hand · Dealer shows 3
Soft 17 (ace-6) vs a dealer 3
Basic strategyDouble. If you can't double, hit. Never stand.
Why
Soft 17 is a weak total that can't bust on one card, and a 3 is a bust card. That combination is the classic doubling spot: you get one free card toward 18 to 21 while the dealer is likely to finish weak or bust.
Standing on 17 is the worst choice by far here. A soft 17 only wins when the dealer busts, and you'd be throwing away a free draw.
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 | +$2.79 | +$2.90 |
| Stand | −$12.03 | −$11.72 |
| Double (2× bet) | +$5.39Best | +$5.51Best |
| Surrender (if offered) | −$50.00 | −$50.00 |
Dealer hits soft 17: double beats hit by $2.60 per $100. Dealer stands on soft 17: double beats hit by $2.61 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 | Double (hit if you can’t) |
| Dealer hits soft 17, surrender allowed Some higher-limit tables | Double (hit if you can’t) |
| Dealer stands on soft 17, no surrender Felt says “stands on all 17s” | Double (hit if you can’t) |
| Dealer stands on soft 17, surrender allowed Best common shoe game | Double (hit if you can’t) |
The answer is the same under every common rule set.
Common mistake
Standing on soft 17 because "dealers stand on 17." The dealer's rule isn't your rule. Players should always hit or double soft 17.
Going further
Double ace-6 against 3 through 6. Against 2 and against 7 through ace, just hit.
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's "double, otherwise hit"?
If doubling isn't allowed (say you already have three cards), take a normal hit instead.
Is ace-6 vs 2 a double?
No, hit. The 2 is the one bust card where doubling soft 17 doesn't pay.