Hard 16 vs Dealer 7: Hit or Stand?
Hit, under every common rule set.
Why hit is right
Players freeze here because 16 'feels' like a standing hand - but a dealer 7 makes 17 or better roughly 74% of the time. If you stand, you're betting everything on a dealer bust that comes only about a quarter of the time. Hitting is uncomfortable and correct: even catching a small card to reach 18-21 flips the hand in your favor often enough to make it clearly the better play. Note that 16 only surrenders against 9, 10 and Ace - against a 7, you hit.
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 16 against a dealer 7?
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 16 vs a dealer 7?
No. Hit is correct whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, and whether or not surrender is offered.
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.
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