Soft 17 (A,6) vs Dealer 2: Hit or Double?
Hit, under every common rule set.
Why hit is right
Never stand on soft 17 - it wins only when the dealer busts, and a dealer 2 doesn't bust nearly enough. Doubling isn't right either: a dealer 2 busts only about 35% of the time, just short of what it takes to pay for the extra bet. So you hit, and the dealer hitting soft 17 (H17) does not change that; soft 17 doubles only against 3 through 6 under both rules. The principle is the same one that governs every soft hand: a hand that can't bust must keep trying to improve.
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 soft 17 (a,6) against a dealer 2?
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 soft 17 (a,6) vs a dealer 2?
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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