Hard 11 vs Dealer Ace: Double or Hit?
Hit in S17 games - but the answer changes with the table rules.
Why hit is right
Eleven is the best doubling hand in the game - about 31% of the deck turns it into 21, and nothing can bust you on one card. That's why it doubles against every dealer upcard from 2 through 10. The Ace is the one exception, and the answer depends on the soft 17 rule. When the dealer stands on soft 17 in a 4-8 deck game, the Ace makes a strong hand often enough that you want to keep the option of drawing again: catch a small card on a double and you are stuck with a weak total, while a plain hit lets you keep going. Hitting earns slightly more. When the dealer hits soft 17, every Ace that reaches soft 17 has to draw again and busts a little more often, which tips the decision back to doubling. It's a close call either way, so check the felt: H17 means double, S17 means hit. In single and double deck games, 11 doubles against an Ace under both rules.
How the rules change the answer
This hand is rules-sensitive. Find your table's rules below - S17/H17 refers to whether the dealer stands or hits on soft 17.
| Table rules (6 decks) | Correct play |
|---|---|
| S17 · late surrender offered | Hit |
| S17 · no surrender | Hit |
| H17 · late surrender offered | Double Down |
| H17 · no surrender | Double Down |
Can't double (three or more cards, or the table won't allow it)? Then hit instead.
🃏 Card counter's note
11 vs Ace is a Hi-Lo Illustrious 18 index play: in S17 games, double at True Count +1 or higher and hit below it. A slightly ten-rich shoe is all it takes to make the double worth it. In H17 games basic strategy already doubles, so there is no index to learn.
Common questions
What is the correct play for hard 11 against a dealer Ace?
Hit. In a standard 6-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17 and late surrender is offered, basic strategy says to hit. Under other rules the play changes - S17 · late surrender offered: Hit. S17 · no surrender: Hit. H17 · late surrender offered: Double Down. H17 · no surrender: Double Down.
Does the dealer hitting soft 17 (H17) change the play for hard 11 vs a dealer Ace?
It can. S17 · late surrender offered: Hit. S17 · no surrender: Hit. H17 · late surrender offered: Double Down. H17 · no surrender: Double Down. Always check the felt for "Dealer hits soft 17" before you sit down.
When should card counters play hard 11 vs a dealer Ace differently?
11 vs Ace is a Hi-Lo Illustrious 18 index play: in S17 games, double at True Count +1 or higher and hit below it. A slightly ten-rich shoe is all it takes to make the double worth it. In H17 games basic strategy already doubles, so there is no index to learn.
Reading charts doesn't build reflexes. Drill this exact decision until it's automatic - our trainer deals from a real 6-deck shoe and grades every move.
Practice This in the Trainer →