Hard 16 vs Dealer Ace: Surrender or Hit?
Surrender in S17 games with surrender - but the answer changes with the table rules.
Why surrender is right
An Ace is the strongest dealer card in the game: even after the peek has ruled out a blackjack, the dealer makes 17+ about 83% of the time and busts only about 17% (around 12% if you count the blackjacks the peek already removed). Your 16 almost never wins by standing, so this is a surrender - and a hit when surrender isn't available. The Ace's flexibility is also why insurance gets dangled at you here; both bets share the same trap logic.
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 Ace?
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 Ace?
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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