Hard 16 vs Dealer 9: Surrender or Hit?
Surrender in S17 games with surrender - but the answer changes with the table rules.
Why surrender is right
A dealer 9 makes a pat 19 far too often for standing on 16 to be defensible - you'd win only when the dealer busts (about 23% of the time). Surrendering saves money in the long run; if the casino doesn't offer it, hitting is the least-bad option even though it busts you more often than not. Never stand.
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 | Surrender |
| S17 · no surrender | Hit |
| H17 · late surrender offered | Surrender |
| H17 · no surrender | Hit |
Common questions
What is the correct play for hard 16 against a dealer 9?
Surrender. In a standard 6-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17 and late surrender is offered, basic strategy says to surrender. Under other rules the play changes - S17 · late surrender offered: Surrender. S17 · no surrender: Hit. H17 · late surrender offered: Surrender. H17 · no surrender: Hit.
Does the dealer hitting soft 17 (H17) change the play for hard 16 vs a dealer 9?
It can. S17 · late surrender offered: Surrender. S17 · no surrender: Hit. H17 · late surrender offered: Surrender. H17 · no surrender: Hit. Always check the felt for "Dealer hits soft 17" before you sit down.
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