As a professional in the field of card games, particularly focusing on blackjack, I can provide a detailed explanation of the difference between a hard and soft 17 in blackjack.

In blackjack, the value of a hand is determined by the sum of the cards. Aces can be counted as either 1 or 11, depending on which value gives the player a better hand. When an ace is counted as 11, it creates what is known as a "soft" hand. A soft hand is any hand that includes an ace that is counted as 11. This is important because it gives the player more flexibility in terms of strategy.

A soft 17 is a hand that contains an ace with a total of 6 other points, making the total value of the hand 17. For example, an ace of hearts and a 6 of clubs would be a soft 17. Another example would be an ace with two 3s, which also totals 17. The key feature of a soft 17 is that it can be played in a more flexible manner. Since the ace can be counted as either 1 or 11, the player has the option to hit (take another card) without the immediate risk of busting (going over 21). This is because if the next card is a face card or a 10, the ace can be revalued to 1, and the hand would still be under 21.

On the other hand, a hard 17 is a hand that totals 17 without the presence of an ace, or with an ace that is counted as 1. For example, a 7 and a 10 would make a hard 17. In this case, the player has no flexibility because hitting would risk busting the hand immediately if a 10 or a face card is drawn.

The strategy for playing a soft 17 is generally to hit, as the risk of busting is lower due to the ace's ability to be revalued. This is a strategic advantage that players can use to their benefit. However, the strategy for a hard 17 is more complex and can vary depending on the rules of the casino, the number of decks used, and the player's personal strategy. Some players might choose to stand on a hard 17, especially if the dealer is showing a weak card, while others might hit if they believe the odds are in their favor.

It's also worth noting that the decision to hit or stand on a hard 17 can be influenced by the Basic Strategy in blackjack, which is a set of guidelines that have been statistically proven to give the player the best chance of winning. The Basic Strategy takes into account the player's hand, the dealer's upcard, and the number of decks in play. For a hard 17, the Basic Strategy often recommends standing if the dealer's upcard is 6 or lower, and hitting if the dealer's upcard is 7 or higher.

In conclusion, the main difference between a hard and soft 17 lies in the presence of an ace that can be counted as 11. This gives a soft 17 more flexibility and generally a more aggressive playing strategy, while a hard 17 requires a more cautious approach. Understanding the distinction between these two types of hands is crucial for any blackjack player looking to improve their game.

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Any blackjack hand that contains an ace counted as an 11 is a soft hand. An ace-6 hand is a soft 17 and so is an ace-3-3 hand. These hands are played much differently than their corresponding hard hands.read more >>