What Does Soft 17 Mean in Blackjack? Rules & House Edge
Blackjack jargon can feel a bit confusing first, and “soft 17” is one of those phrases that crops up in the rules and matters more than it might seem.
If you are new to blackjack, it could help to understand how small rule variations can subtly shape what happens at the table. In the following blog article, we’ll explain what a soft 17 is in blackjack, as well as how it can potentially affect the gameplay. Read on to learn more.
What Is a Soft 17 in Blackjack?
A soft 17 is any hand that totals 17 with an Ace counted as 11. Typical examples include Ace and six, or Ace, three, and three when the Ace is treated as 11. The key is flexibility. If you draw another card and the total would go over 21, the Ace automatically counts as 1 instead, keeping the hand in play.
Because the Ace can shift between 11 and 1, a soft 17 can absorb an extra card without busting immediately. For instance, with Ace-six, drawing a ten turns the hand into a hard 17 rather than going over 21.
Many blackjack tables state how the dealer must play a soft 17. You will usually see this noted in the rules or on the table information screen, and it might be worth a quick look before you begin.
Players should always remember to gamble responsibly and within their means- never wager more than you can afford to lose.
How Is a Soft 17 Different from a Hard 17?
A hard 17 is a fixed total of 17 where the Ace, if present, only counts as 1. Hands like ten-seven, or Ace, five, and another card where the Ace is treated as 1, cannot be adjusted by changing the Ace’s value.
Soft 17, by contrast, is adjustable because the Ace is currently counted as 11. That flexibility matters. A soft hand can take another card with less risk than a hard hand, which is why dealers and players treat them differently. For example, hitting a hard 17 is almost never an option, while a soft 17 can be hit without immediate danger.
Why Do Some Casinos Hit on Soft 17?
Some tables use the rule that the dealer must take another card on soft 17. You will often see this written as “dealer hits soft 17”. The idea is straightforward: because a soft 17 can improve without an automatic bust, forcing the dealer to take one more card slightly strengthens the dealer’s position.
This change nudges the maths. When the dealer hits on soft 17, the house edge typically rises by about 0.2%. Over a single hand that is barely noticeable, but across many hands it tilts results a little towards the house. If the dealer stands on soft 17 instead, the edge is a touch lower because more of those soft 17s stay frozen at 17.
Soft 17 Blackjack Rules Explained
The short labels used on tables help you spot these variations quickly. “H17” means the dealer hits on soft 17. “S17” means the dealer stands on all 17s, including soft ones. You will usually find this shown on the table felt in a live setting or within the game information for online blackjack.
This rule sits alongside other common variations, such as the number of decks, whether doubling after a split is allowed, and payout rates for blackjack. Each setting adjusts the underlying percentages by a small amount. If you already understand what a soft 17 is, the H17 or S17 note simply tells you which version you are playing so you can set expectations accordingly.
How Does Hitting or Standing on Soft 17 Affect the House Edge?
The house edge is the casino’s long-term statistical advantage, expressed as a percentage. With widely used rules and players following basic strategy, blackjack often sits around 0.4% to 0.6%. Switching from S17 to H17 usually adds about 0.2% to that figure, because the dealer’s soft 17s can improve more often.
That might sound small, but blackjack is a game of many hands. Over time, these small differences add up. If everything else stays the same, S17 is a slightly more favourable setup for players, while H17 is slightly stronger for the house.
Should Players Change How They Play Against a Soft 17?
The decision points for players do not revolve around holding a soft 17 themselves as much as they revolve around how the dealer must treat one. If the table uses H17, the dealer will arrive at stronger final totals a little more often. Basic strategy charts account for this by tweaking a few calls, particularly with soft hands and some doubles.
For example, soft totals such as Ace-seven sit on the line between standing, hitting, or doubling depending on the dealer’s upcard and whether the table is H17 or S17. In S17 games, keeping pressure on by standing more often with soft 18 is common, whereas in H17 games you will see more situations where continuing to draw with soft 18 makes sense against stronger dealer upcards. A few surrender and double-down decisions also shift slightly between the two rule sets.
If you use a strategy chart, it could be a good idea to make sure it matches the table rules, including H17 or S17. Most charts also factor in other rule details like how many decks are used and whether doubling after a split is permitted. Using the right reference could keep your decisions consistent with the maths behind that specific version of blackjack.
Play Blackjack Games Online
Explore our online blackjack tables and see these rules in action. You can compare variants side by side, with clear information on whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, plus details on side bets, table limits, and payouts, all displayed upfront.
We support secure payments, responsive customer support, and games that follow published rules with transparent procedures. Each table includes an in-game help section so you can review the rules and any strategy guidance provided before you join.
If you’re ready to try a few variants, pick a table with the rule set you prefer, check the limits and information screens, and play at a pace that suits you. That way, you can focus on the decisions that matter and enjoy the game with everything laid out clearly.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
 *All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.