Basic strategy

Soft 17 vs Dealer 8

The mathematically correct play in standard basic strategy, with the reasoning behind it. [code: H]

The play
Hit
hit.
Dealer 8
8
♠
♠
Soft 17
A
♥
♥
6
♣
♣
Example hand

Why this play

The basic-strategy chart says hit. You can't bust a soft hand on one card, so drawing is a free shot at upgrading the total. Standing on Soft 17 against a dealer 8 leaves money on the table; the ace lets you draw safely toward a real pat hand.

In context

This cell sits inside the full basic-strategy chart. Browse the others for the same total, the same dealer upcard, or open the full interactive chart.

HHitSStandDhDouble / hitDsDouble / standPSplitPhSplit / hitRhSurrender / hitRsSurrender / standRpSurrender / split

Hard totals

You / Dealer2345678910A
4HHHHHHHHHH
5HHHHHHHHHH
6HHHHHHHHHH
7HHHHHHHHHH
8HHHHHHHHHH
9HDhDhDhDhHHHHH
10DhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhHH
11DhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhH
12HHSSSHHHHH
13SSSSSHHHHH
14SSSSSHHHHH
15SSSSSHHHRhH
16SSSSSHHRhRhRh
17SSSSSSSSSS
18SSSSSSSSSS
19SSSSSSSSSS
20SSSSSSSSSS

Soft totals

You / Dealer2345678910A
A,2HHHDhDhHHHHH
A,3HHHDhDhHHHHH
A,4HHDhDhDhHHHHH
A,5HHDhDhDhHHHHH
A,6HDhDhDhDhHHHHH
A,7SDsDsDsDsSSHHH
A,8SSSSSSSSSS
A,9SSSSSSSSSS

Pairs

You / Dealer2345678910A
2,2PhPhPPPPHHHH
3,3PhPhPPPPHHHH
4,4HHHPhPhHHHHH
5,5DhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhHH
6,6PhPPPPHHHHH
7,7PPPPPPHHHH
8,8PPPPPPPPPP
9,9PPPPPSPPSS
T,TSSSSSSSSSS
A,APPPPPPPPPP

Reading isn't enough. Drill it.

The trainer deals real shoes and flags every deviation from the chart, including this one. Hit becomes automatic after a hundred reps.

Open the trainerFull strategy chart

Adjacent spots

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