Blackjack is one of the simplest card games to follow, yet some of its terms can sound unfamiliar at first.
Two phrases you will hear often are hard hand and soft hand. These describe how the ace is counted in your total and why that makes a difference when deciding whether to take another card, or keep the hand as it is.
Knowing the difference can make the game easier to follow and helps you understand the choices set out in basic strategy charts. This article explains what these terms mean, gives clear examples, and shows why they matter when you are learning the game.
What Is a Hard and Soft Hand in Blackjack?
In blackjack, each card has a set value. Number cards (2–10) are worth their face value, picture cards (Jack, Queen, King) count as 10, and the ace can be worth either 1 or 11. The way an ace is used in a hand is what decides if the hand is “hard” or “soft.”
- A hard hand has no ace counted as 11. This could mean there is no ace at all, or the ace is forced to count as 1 because 11 could push the total over 21.
- For example, if you hold a 10 and a 7, you have a hard 17. If you hold an ace, a 10, and a 7, the ace drops to 1, giving you a hard 18.
- A soft hand includes an ace valued at 11. This makes the hand more flexible because if you draw another card, the ace can switch down to 1 if needed.
- For instance, an ace with a 6 is a soft 17. If you then draw a 5, the ace becomes 1, and you are left with a hard 12.
How to Tell the Difference Between Hard and Soft Hands
To work out what type of hand you have, check whether an ace is present. If there is no ace, the hand is hard. If there is an ace, ask whether it can safely count as 11. If yes, it is soft. If not, the ace counts as 1, which makes the hand hard.
For example:
- Ace + 5 = soft 16, because the ace is worth 11.
- Add a 10 to those cards, and the ace must now count as 1, leaving you with a hard 16.
This difference matters because it changes how the hand can be played using basic strategy.
Why Do Hard and Soft Hands Matter in Blackjack?
The strength of your hand in blackjack is measured against the dealer. A soft hand gives you breathing room, since you can potentially take another card without the total immediately exceeding 21. A hard hand offers no such buffer: once the total is high, an extra card can easily push it past 21.
This is why strategy charts separate the two. A soft 18 (ace + 7) may be played differently from a hard 18 (10 + 8), even though the total is the same. The ace changes how safe it might be to draw another card.
It is worth noting that basic strategy is based on mathematical probabilities, not certainty. Even when you make the statistically strongest move, outcomes cannot be predicted and winning are not guaranteed.
How to Play Hard Hands
Hard hands leave little room for flexibility, especially at higher totals. For example, a hard 17 or higher is usually kept as it is, because most extra cards could take the total over 21. By contrast, lower hard hands may allow for more options.
A hard 9, for instance, might be doubled if the dealer shows a weaker card like a 4, 5, or 6 — but only if doubling is permitted by the game rules.
A mid-range total such as hard 12 can be awkward: against a dealer’s 2 or 3, basic strategy often suggests one move, whereas against a stronger dealer card such as 7 or 10, a different choice may apply.
What you do with a hard hand depends not only on your cards, but also on the dealer’s face-up card and the house rules.
How to Play Soft Hands
Soft hands offer more flexibility because of the ace. For example, with a soft 17 (ace + 6), you can take another card without the hand exceeding 21 straight away.
Basic strategy often recommends a more assertive approach with soft hands in certain cases. A soft 18 (ace + 7) against a dealer’s 3, 4, 5, or 6 may sometimes be doubled if the rules allow. Against a dealer showing a 9, 10, or ace, the same soft 18 is usually considered weaker, so drawing another card could be the better option.
The key difference is that soft hands may give you a cushion for at least one extra card, while hard hands do not.
Common Mistakes When Playing Hard and Soft Hands
Many errors in blackjack come from misunderstanding how hard and soft totals affect decision-making. Some examples include:
- Treating hard and soft hands as if they were the same, when they can lead to very different outcomes.
- Forgetting that the dealer’s face-up card heavily influences the best potential action.
- Using doubling or splitting at times when the rules do not allow it.
- Assuming betting systems or “systems of play” can change the fact that blackjack is a game that involves chance.
Since house rules vary, it is important to read the table information before you begin. For example, in the UK you will often see multi-deck versions of blackjack where the dealer may either stand or hit on soft 17, depending on the casino or online platform. This single variation can change the recommended strategy.
Blackjack is a game that involves an element of chance. No approach guarantees a win, even when using basic strategy. It is important to treat the game as a form of entertainment, not as a way to make money.
Setting a spending limit before you start, taking breaks, and stopping when you reach that limit can help you enjoy the game responsibly. If you ever feel uncomfortable with the amount of time or money you are spending, it may help to step away or seek support.
*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.
**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.