Soft 17Blackjack Rules Compared: Decks, 3:2 vs 6:5, Surrender and More
Two blackjack tables can look identical and still play very differently. The small print on the felt changes how much each hand is worth. Here are the rule variations you are most likely to meet, what each one means, and how they compare. Every table also has its own "house edge", which is the average share of each bet the house keeps over the long run.
Blackjack payout: 3 to 2 or 6 to 5
This is the biggest one. A natural blackjack normally pays 3 to 2: a 10 bet wins 15. Some tables pay 6 to 5, where the same 10 bet wins only 12. Over time, 6 to 5 adds well over a percentage point to the house edge (commonly quoted at about 1.4%), which is far more than most other rule changes. If you have a choice, 3 to 2 is the better game. Try both with the payout calculator.
Number of decks
Blackjack is played with anything from one to eight decks. The more decks in the shoe, the slightly better for the house. Going from a single deck to six decks changes the edge by roughly half a percentage point, all else equal. Six decks, as used at Soft 17, is a common casino standard.
Dealer and soft 17
Whether the dealer stands on or hits a soft 17 changes the edge by roughly 0.2 percentage points. Standing is better for players. Read more in the soft 17 rule explained.
Doubling down
- Double on any two cards is the most player-friendly rule.
- Some tables only allow doubling on totals of 9, 10 or 11, which is worse for players.
- Double after split (DAS) lets you double on a hand you created by splitting. It is a small benefit to the player and is allowed at Soft 17.
Splitting
Most tables let you split pairs and often re-split up to four hands. Rules to look for: whether you can re-split aces (often not), how many cards you get on split aces (usually one each), and whether any two ten-value cards count as a pair (at Soft 17 they do).
Surrender
Some tables offer surrender: you give up your hand and lose half your bet instead of playing it out. It is a small benefit to the player where offered. Soft 17 does not offer surrender.
Dealer peek
When the dealer shows an Ace or a ten, they usually check the hidden card for blackjack straight away (a "peek"). If it is blackjack the hand ends at once, and you lose only your original bet, not extra money from a double or split. Some tables, called "no hole card" games, skip the peek, which is worse for players. Soft 17 uses the peek.
Insurance and even money
Insurance is an optional side bet, offered when the dealer shows an Ace, that pays 2 to 1 if the dealer has blackjack. Even money is the same thing offered when you have a blackjack yourself. In the long run insurance is generally a losing bet for players who are not counting cards, so many experienced players decline it. Whether to take it is entirely up to you.
Quick comparison
| Rule | Better for the player | Worse for the player |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack payout | 3 to 2 | 6 to 5 |
| Decks | Fewer | More |
| Soft 17 | Dealer stands | Dealer hits |
| Doubling | Any two cards, and after split | Only on 9 to 11 |
| Surrender | Offered | Not offered |
| Dealer peek | Peeks for blackjack | No hole card |
The numbers above are approximate, and exact values depend on the full set of rules. Soft 17 is play-money only, so none of this costs you anything, but it is useful to know if you ever play elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Which blackjack payout is better, 3 to 2 or 6 to 5?
3 to 2 is better for the player. On a 10 bet it pays 15 instead of 12, and 6 to 5 adds roughly 1.4 percentage points to the house edge.
How many decks does Soft 17 use?
Six decks, reshuffled when about three-quarters of the shoe has been dealt.
What is double after split?
Double after split (DAS) lets you double your bet on a hand you created by splitting a pair. It is allowed at Soft 17.
Should I take insurance?
That is your decision. In the long run insurance is generally a losing side bet for players who are not counting cards.
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