There are several fundamentals that blackjack lovers need to know before they start playing their favourite game. One such thing refers to what happens when the dealer reaches 17. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on where one is playing, some casinos have a simple rule regarding this issue that is, the blackjack dealer stands on 17 at all times. However, other casinos have more complex rules.
The Simple Rule on Blackjack Dealer Stands on 17
Casinos that use the simple rule state that it’s a must for the dealer to stand once he gets a 17. The nature of the 17 does not matter that is, whether it’s a soft 17 or hard 17, for as long as the dealer gets a 17, she or he stands.
Players especially newbies to blackjack are recommended to play at casinos that use the simple rule regarding the dealer standing on 17. This is necessitated by the fact that once the dealer reaches 17, they can properly plan the necessary and appropriate action to take to win the game by either hitting, doubling down or splitting. Knowing where the dealer is standing gives them great ammunition to plan their next steps.
The Complex Rule on Blackjack Dealer Stands on 17
At some casinos, things aren’t as straightforward as saying the dealer always stands, when you play blackjack dealer stands on 17. Casinos that use the complex rule state that the dealer is only instructed to stand on 17 if it is a hard 17. If it’s a soft 17, then the dealer can take more actions.
When a dealer is on a soft 17 (a hand which consists of an Ace), she or he is provided with an opportunity to draw an additional card. It’s important to note that the Ace is flexible hence depending on what’s advantageous to the player, the Ace can be regarded as 1 or 11. Owing to this, when the Ace is regarded as 1, the dealer can draw upon more cards.
Players who are just starting in the blackjack world aren’t recommended to play at casinos that use the complex rule. This owing to the fact that the dealer will be afforded more chances to play hence this eliminates the player’s chances of strategizing on how best to beat the dealer’s hands.
In blackjack dealer stands on 17 when using the complex rule is advantageous is that it enables him or her to better the hand knowing full well that the chances of busting are severely curtailed by the flexibility of Ace which can be used as a 1 when the count is high.
Only pro players who have mastered the art of card counting can enjoy the complex rule as they will know the cards that the dealer is likely to draw once s/he chooses to draw more cards. If the remaining cards are more high value, then the chances of the dealer busting are high and inadvertently, the chances of the player winning are also very high.