Strategy Based on Composition for Single Deck When the Dealer Stands on Soft 17

Introduction

This section outlines the strategy based on card composition when using a single deck and the dealer stands on a soft 17. Currently, there are no physical casinos worldwide that employ these specific rules. However, when I created this page, some online casinos had similar rules in place.

This content is derived from the now-defunct Boss Media blackjack rules, detailed as follows:

• Single deck
• Dealer stands on soft 17
• Dealer peeks for blackjack
• Double after split allowed
• Player may split only once
• No surrender
• Split aces get one card only

Utilizing the standard total-dependent basic strategy under the Boss Media guidelines gives players a slight edge of 0.11%, compared to a house advantage of 0.13% under the same regulations. For more insights on these strategies, check my reviews. Microgaming The total-dependent strategy focuses on the value of the player's cards as a whole for making the best moves. Nonetheless, there are times when the specific cards in hand dictate a differing approach, especially in a single-deck game. For instance, it may be wiser to stand with a total of 13 against the dealer's 2, while holding a 10 and 3 against the same dealer card may suggest hitting instead. The following tables use composition-dependent basic strategies, which provide optimal plays based on the precise makeup of the player's hand. When three or more cards are held, these strategies align. Employing the composition-dependent strategies presented here can reduce the house edge by 0.04%. Therefore, under the Boss Media rules, the player would have an advantage of 0.1541%. Boss Media and Microgaming The subsequent tables are compatible with Boss Media rules and can also apply under Microgaming regulations, although players should refrain from doubling on 11 or splitting eights against a 10 or ace, as the dealer does not check for blackjack in the Microgaming Classic Blackjack setup. Moreover, remember that Microgaming prohibits doubling on 8.

It’s essential to mention that the strategy chart for six cards may present some impossible scenarios, like having five aces. For example, if player A has A-A-A-A-3-9 versus a dealer's ace, please disregard these situations.

Card-Based Strategy Exceptions

For those who find the above tables overwhelming, there are simplified tables and lists highlighting situations where the best moves depend on the number of cards present in the player's hand. This is also based on a single-deck scenario where the dealer stands on soft 17.

There are only a few exceptions for two to eight decks, which include the following.

In a two-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17, players should stand on soft 18 against an ace if they hold three or more cards.

• Always: Stand on 16 vs 10 with 3 or more cards.
• With four or six decks, if the dealer stands on soft 17, players should stand on soft 18 against an ace when they have four or more cards.
• Over the years, several players have pointed out some errors in my charts. Here are a few of them that I recall.

Acknowledgements

Scott E. (Scott claims the player edge under the Boss Media rules is really just 0.1531%)

• "Tank\"
• Strategy for Splitting Hands Played by Back Players
• Don Schlesinger

Internal Links

• Blackjack Side Bets
• Introduction to Card Counting
• The Hi-Lo Count
• The Wizard\"s Ace-Five Count
• When to Surrender in Blackjack
• Value of a Free Ace
• Dealer Exposes Both Cards
• Total Dependent versus Composition Dependent Basic Strategies
• Double after Splitting Aces Allowed
• Continuous Shuffling Machines
• Cut Card Effect
• Variance in Blackjack
• 678 and 777 Bonuses in Blackjack
• Risk of Ruin in blackjack
• Projected Returns When Using Infinite Decks
• Odds for the Dealer in Blackjack According to U.S. Regulations
• Dealer Odds in Blackjack Under European Rules
• Estimating the Number of Decks Used in Online Blackjack
• Effect of Card Removal in Blackjack
• Blackjack Expected Values
• Composition-Dependent Strategy for Single Deck and Dealer Hits on Soft 17
• Strategy Based on Composition for Single Deck When the Dealer Stands on Soft 17
• Composition-Dependent Strategy for Double Deck and Dealer Stands on Soft 17
• Accurate strategies and information for various casino games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and many more that are available for play.

Written by: Michael Shackleford