Soft 17: 7 Mistakes Made by Blackjack Players

There are many reasons why Blackjack is one of the most popular gambling games today. First of all, the odds are great when compared to most other options. Each time you win, you will get double of the amount you invested. There is only a small advantage of the dealer, which is the fact that you are the one who will be make the first turn each time.

Even though the rules are quite simple, you have to be aware of various combinations and how certain numbers can affect your game. Some combinations can be more challenging for beginners, like soft 17 or soft 18. If you wish to learn how to play soft 17, click here.

The common issue with many players is that they don’t have a clear plan for their game, which can lead to losing focus and making some bad moves that will lead to losses. There are all kinds of combinations that you might face in this game, and each one will require the right actions. Here are some common mistakes made by players when they face a soft 17.

1. Not Knowing the Rules

It is the most common mistake beginners are making. It is related to the situation when the deal has an opened soft 17 on the table, and you are not sure what to do next. Keep in mind that there is a rule where the dealer will have to draw another card. You can use this rule in your favor in many situations. For example, if you have a soft 18 with an ace, it can be a great option to double it for the next card.

Chances are great that you will stay in the limits. On the other side, dealer will have to get an additional card as well. There are many combinations where this can be the best solution. That is especially the case when you have an ace and a card that is higher than 6.

2. Forcing Your Play

While it can be a good option when the dealer has it, you should be careful when you are the one with this combination. It depends on the dealer’s hand as well. For example, if you see that the open card is lower in value, there is no need to test your luck and ask for another card. On the other side, if the card of the dealer is 10 or ace, it might be a good solution to improve your chance to win the hand.

The great thing about this combination is that you will still have a great chance to still in the limits. For example, a combination of ace and six is perfect for the additional card. On the other side, there are some combinations that are less likely to succeed, such as the 9 and 8. Soft 17 is a much better combination than this one.

3. Not Staying Focused

There are different situations where both doubling and staying can be the right thing to do. It depends on various factors like whether you are playing a one-deck of multi-deck game, or is there a rule where you can double only while having first two cards.

These details can mess your game if you don’t check them on time. For example, if there is a rule that you can double on when having two cards, it can be frustrating when you cannot do that after getting a soft 17 with a third card. Another issue with this situation is that you might decide to stand even though you still have a great chance to win by asking for another card.

4. Not Learning When to Double Down

It might seem like an excellent combination to double down when you get a combination with an ace that counts as 17. However, that is not always the case, and the cards of the dealer are very important. There are some options where you should always choose this type play.

That is the case when the deal has a card between 3 and 6 in case that you are playing a multi-deck game, while the area is even wider with a single deck version since you should double the value of the hand whenever a deal has a card between 2 and 6.

The dealer’s hand must be taken into account to determine if doubling down is the right move. Knowing when to double down is crucial, especially in multi-deck games, where a dealer’s card between 3 and 6 would indicate a good opportunity to double down. But with a single deck version, the range widens and players can double down when the dealer has a card between 2 and 6. Knowing when to take advantage of this option can greatly improve your chances of winning, and websites like iCasinoNonAAMS can offer valuable resources and information to help you make informed decisions at the blackjack table.

5. Don’t Rely on Ai and Machine Learning

The trend of using artificial intelligence (Ai) and machine learning for casino games is on the rise, but does this mean that these technologies can help you improve your game?

In short, no. While AI and machine learning can be used to develop better playing strategies, they cannot do so for every situation. In particular, they cannot help you with the soft 17 rule, which says the dealer must hit on a soft 17. So, use them if you can but take them with a grain of salt. If you wish to learn more about Ai and machine learning, click here.

6. Deciding to Stand

We all know that asking for another card can be risky in many situations. Also, losing a couple of games in a row can make you feel more frustrated. However, try to remain calm and avoid common mistakes. There is no way that you will get over the limit with a soft 17.

We already mentioned that there are some combinations of cards where you should always double or at least ask for the additional card when dealer is having them. Therefore, you decision to stand can only improve the chance of the dealer to win in the following hand.

7. Not Having the Right Approach

While all the mistakes we mentioned here are important to avoid, an even more important thing is to have a clear plan about your game and actions you will make over time. Keep in mind that staying in the game for a longer time can improve your chance to win more money. If you wish to learn more about ways to make more money, click here.

In that matter, implement an approach with a progressive strategy where you can risk more when there is a clear combination where you will most certainly win. For example, when you have a soft 17 with an ace and three 2, while the dealer is having an open 6.

Last Words

There is a huge difference between various combinations that counts as 17. For example, you should not follow the same rules when you get a combination of 10 and 7 since it is not providing any flexibility, and winning by asking for additional card can be very difficult. The key is to stay focused and choose the action according to different factors like the cards of the dealer and the amount of money that you will be risking when doubling.