Blackjack Dealer Stands On 17

Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart Dealer Stands On 17

Blackjack basics for players and dealers. The basic rules of blackjack are simple. Players try to score as close to 21 as possible without exceeding 21. In contrast to poker, where players compete with each other, blackjack is a one-on-one game between each player and the dealer. As the dealer, the basic rules of blackjack still apply. One of the most important rules for blackjack has to do with how a dealer’s total of 17 is handled. The rule of thumb in most games of casino blackjack is that the dealer always hits a total of 16 or less and always stands on a total of 17 or more. This is the best possible situation for the player as it relates to the soft 17 rule.

An email I got today made me realize that this phrase emblazoned on every blackjack table is a little ambiguous. Assuming it's a S17 house, the table generally says 'Dealer must draw to 16 and stand on 17.'
The 'draw to 16' part could also be taken to mean 'draw until 16', meaning they would stand at 16. Of course, with the rest of the phrase tacked on the end, it's not much of a problem. However, as my email from earlier today indicates, it can be confusing for someone new to the game.
I wonder how a dealer would respond if after he drew a 5 on his 16, you called the floor over and started in on him: 'Well, the table says he'll draw to 16, but he got to 16 and just kept on going!'
:laugh:

Nared

Aug 20, 2019 While we are on the subject of cards, it is important to explain the ‘behavior’ of the dealer when he or she receives a soft 17. In a game of blackjack, the dealer is also proactive and they need to make certain decisions as well. Thus, the decision of whether to hit or stand on soft 17 is a big one for the dealer.

The game of blackjack had long been in existence when it was first mathematically analyzed in the 1950s.
Why did they choose 17 as the dealer's compulsory standing number? Is it optimal?
I would think 15 would be a better standing number because if the dealer draws on 15
there are 7 cards that would bust him and only 6 that would improve his hand.
Would a standing number of 15 be more attractive to players?

FleaStiff

it usedto be 'dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17s'
now its often dealer stands only in a hard 17, which is bad enough for the player as it is.

FinsRule

This question has been answered on a thread I started. I don’t know how to link to threads because I’m a terrible forum member.
But you can click on my name and go to threads I’ve started and click on the thread that is “Dealer hits soft 18” or something close to that.

DJTeddyBear

It’s not rocket science. After I clicked on your name, I scrolled down to find the thread you’re talking about. Then I right click it to get a little menu. One of the options is ‘copy link’. And then I pasted it here;
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/blackjack/29441-dealer-hits-soft-18/

Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁 Note that the same could be said for Religion. I.E. Religion is nothing more than organized superstition. 🤗

billryan

Our ancestors evidently possessed math skills that have long since been lost. Could most people today figure out how to create a game that seems fair but which will slowly drain the players.

Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart Dealer Stands On 17

7craps

Our ancestors evidently possessed math skills that have long since been lost.

comical and not even close to being true

Quote: billryan

Could most people today figure out how to create a game that seems fair but which will slowly drain the players.

the GAME of blackjack was not created in its current form.
It evolved like most other old casino games over time.
If the house edge was too high, because of some rule or lack of, the players could feel it and stop playing
rules were in place years ago and have disappeared mainly because players did not like them (they lost too much or could not win that often, or same for the house)
lost math skills
enjoy

WalterW

I guess a standing number of 15 would be more attractive to players, haven't done any calculation though.

Wizard
Administrator

I've looked at this. The house makes the most money standing at 17.

It's not whether you win or lose; it's whether or not you had a good bet.

Wizard
Administrator

Thanks for this post from:

I looked at this some more.
If the dealer hits a soft 16, then the expected return, compared to that of hitting a soft 17, goes up 1.14% for the player.
If the dealer stands on a soft 16, then the expected return, compared to that of standing on a soft 17, goes up 1.34% for the player.
Either way, it puts the player well into positive territory

It's not whether you win or lose; it's whether or not you had a good bet.

BedWetterBetter

It does seem math based, but to simplify it they probably used 10 point count numbers past 11 and gave themselves half as many chances to hit a hand vs hands to stand on...
12, 13, 14, 15 & 16
vs
17, 18, 19. 20 & 21
5 Hit hands vs 5 Stay Hands seems like the simplified explanation, but I'm sure they figured the probability of hitting 15 & 16 was worth not hitting on H17.