Hard 14 vs Dealer 10: Hit or Stand?
Hit, under every common rule set.
Why hit is right
Unlike 15 and 16, a hard 14 against a 10 is a hit - not a surrender. The extra point of cushion matters: you bust with fewer cards (only 8s and up), and the upside of reaching 19-21 is worth the risk against a dealer who's pat about 77% of the time. Standing surrenders the hand to a dealer bust chance of barely 23%.
How the rules change the answer
This one is easy to memorize - the play doesn't change with the table rules.
| Table rules (6 decks) | Correct play |
|---|---|
| S17 · late surrender offered | Hit |
| S17 · no surrender | Hit |
| H17 · late surrender offered | Hit |
| H17 · no surrender | Hit |
Common questions
What is the correct play for hard 14 against a dealer 10?
Hit. In a standard 6-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17 and late surrender is offered, basic strategy says to hit. This play holds under every common rule variation.
Does the dealer hitting soft 17 (H17) change the play for hard 14 vs a dealer 10?
No. Hit is correct whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, and whether or not surrender is offered.
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