How to Play a Soft 18 in Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular table games in the world. For hundreds of years, in fact, players have flocked to the table en masse to take part. There are two reasons why blackjack is so enduring. First, the game is easy to learn. All you have to do is try to reach 21 without going bust. That’s it! Blackjack is difficult to master, however, offering players willing to put in time and energy a better house edge than those who don’t. In this article, we’ll explore how to play a soft 18 in blackjack and how doing so can increase your chances of winning.

At LeoVegas, we want you to play as well as possible by giving you the best blackjack soft 18 tips. A hard 18 is a strong hand in blackjack, but a soft 18 is even better. The flexibility of the ace makes standing, doubling down and hitting all viable options in certain scenarios. Understanding which strategy is best depending on the dealer’s upcard is crucial.

What is the difference between a hard 18 and a soft 18?

There are two different types of numbers in blackjack: hard and soft. A blackjack soft 18 refers to a hand worth 18 with the presence of an ace. It’s a ‘soft’ number because the ace can be worth either a one or an 11 depending on player needs. A ‘hard’ 18, on the other hand, is a hand worth 18 without the presence of an ace. Examples include two nines and a nine plus a 10. The card values in hard hands do not change value.

Doubling down on a soft 18

Understanding when to chase bigger wins and when to stop can make or break a round. One of the best strategies for soft 18s is doubling down. More specifically, doubling down on a dealer upcard of three, four, five or six can elevate players above the house edge entirely. Doubling down on different dealer upcards, however, can be significantly less beneficial. In those situations, hitting or standing might be the better choice.

Hitting on a soft 18

In blackjack, hitting soft 18s is not only viable but is also sometimes the ideal option. The hand is an especially strong one and doubling down and hitting are two of the most popular strategies. Some people conflate the two, but don’t confuse them – hitting and doubling down are very different strategies and should be treated as such.

In general, hitting is recommended only if the dealer’s upcard is an eight or higher. If it is any other value, you should consider doubling down or standing.

Standing on a soft 18

You may be wondering, ‘Do I stand with a soft 18 in blackjack?’ This is a common question we see at LeoVegas all the time. Standing can be nerve-racking but is often the best option for soft 18 hands. Remember that the goal of the game is to reach a hand of 21, or as close as you can get without going bust. An 18 is an extremely strong hand to stand on as hitting will likely take you over 21, which is an automatic loss. If the dealer’s upcard is a two or a seven, standing is recommended.

With the above in mind, we want to note here that players should stand rather than double down on a dealer two or seven because the chance of winning two hands at that point is less than 50%. Standing will give you a better chance of winning in that scenario.

Probabilities of success with a soft 18

When you’re dealt a soft 18 in a live casino game, you have three options: you can stand, you can hit, or you can double down. The strategy you choose should primarily depend on the dealer’s upcard. Double down against an upcard between three and six because the dealer is more likely to go bust. Upcards of four through six, in particular, can increase your expected winnings.

Stand if the dealer’s upcard is a two, seven or eight for two reasons. First, doubling down is less profitable in this situation. Second, the dealer is likely to have a strong hand – you want to play your strong hand against theirs. Standing against a seven or an eight keeps you in a safe position without unnecessary risk.

The dealer’s hand is strongest with upcards of nine, 10 or ace. Hitting on these upcards gives you the chance to improve your hand to a 19, 20 or 21 without going bust.

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