Playing Soft 18 in Blackjack

Question

What is the correct way to play a soft 18 in blackjack?

Answer 1

The correct way to play a soft 18 in blackjack is to double down against a dealer's two through six, stand against a seven or eight, and hit against a dealer's nine, ten, or ace. This strategy maximizes your chances of winning with a soft 18.

Comments

About 20 years ago when I first started playing blackjack I would ask others at the table what their thoughts were when I wasn’t sure what to do. This one older lady told me on soft 18 you play with it till it’s hard

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I thought I played pretty much perfect basic strategy just to realize I’ve been playing soft 18 wrong in many circumstances! Thanks for the great video as always

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One time I had a soft 18 vs. dealer 10. Dealer looked at me strange when I chose to hit, and said multiple times "that is 18" before she dealt the card. I ended up having to get dealt 4 more cards, and got to 21. The entire table, including the dealer, looked at me like I was a magician lmao

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The amount of shit I get for doubling or hitting soft 18s...

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Hey Colin the soft 18 explanation is correct pertaining to dealer hitting soft 17, but if you are playing on a table where dealer stands against soft 17, then the correct move on A7 versus dealer 2 is to stand.

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So glad A-7 was on the title card. I've lost track of the number of people who shake their heads and/or mutter something when I hit it. I remember one said "it's hard enough to beat the casino without people hitting their 18's" LOL.

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Thanks for the video!   BTW, my basic strategy card (for 4/6/8 decks, dealer holds on all 17's) indicates that you Stand on a dealer's 2 with a soft 18..

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Took the advice, doubled my a-7, everyone at the table was mad, dealer acted like I was splitting face cards, then I lost the hand and they all laughed…

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My first trip to Vegas I hit a soft eighteen versus a ten and lost to a dealer seventeen. Dealer told me she shouldn't have let me do that. I wondered for years if I played it wrong until right now. I feel vindicated haha

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The soft 19 double vs a 6 is one that’s rarely talked about …

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with a 12, you hit it always and keep hitting it seeing more cards to help your  count unless you are near the shuffle card, insurance- only take it when count is high, always split nines except 7, 11 versus ten is double when count is high, if count is really low you keep hitting get more of low cards out of way, only hit 15 or 16 when count is really low, or better yet throw them in and take 1/2 bet off if casino surrounds, soft 18 - double down when count is really really low - or hit it to get low cards out. If you hold your cards in hand, and count goes low, keep hitting to get low cards out even if you go over 21. Just to get the low cards out of way. Then throw cards away so dealer can't see them.

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A8 vs a 6 you double? A7 vs 2 - 6 you double? When do you surrender 15 against a 10? 16 against 9 - A When the decks is almost done?

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Great video. Thank you i was playing soft 18 wrong

One hand i hate is 17 vs a 10. I really want to hit cause i know im dead in the water. Its amazing howxmany times i fid mot hit it and a 4 was the next card.bim hitting it from now on

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Great video but I just cant get with hitting a soft 18 vs Dealer 9, 10, A. Thats probably the only move I just refuse to make.

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The problem with trying to play perfect strategy blackjack is most people don't know how, and when you try they get angry at you for what they believe is playing incorrectly. Even many dealers don't know how to play perfectly as I have been at tables that they All team up against me and I end up leaving because of the bad atmosphere. Some of the hands that upset people are:
When you have a soft 18 and the dealer has a 9 or 10 and you hit.
When you double down on a soft 18 when the dealer has a 5 or 6.
When you hit a 12 against the dealers 2.
Never taking even money or surrendering.
That's why I gave up blackjack and gambling because it's just not fun when dealing with people.

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I love watching the regulars at the black jack tables get ruffled watching me double soft 18’s vs dealer’s 2 through 6 & hitting vs 9 through Ace.  Claiming they know the rules of basic strategy, then their face turning sour when shown the chart lol.