Soft 17How to play blackjack
Blackjack (also called twenty-one) is a card game against the dealer. You win by getting closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. This guide covers the rules exactly as they are played at Soft 17, a free online blackjack game you can play with friends.
The goal
Beat the dealer's hand without going over 21. You are not playing against the other people at the table; everyone plays their own hand against the dealer.
Card values
- 2 to 10 are worth their number.
- Jack, Queen and King are worth 10.
- An Ace is worth 11, or 1 if 11 would take you over 21.
How a round works
- Place your bet using the chips, then confirm it.
- Cards are dealt. You and every other player get two cards face up. The dealer gets one face up and one face down.
- Play your hand. Take cards one at a time until you are happy with your total or you go over 21 (a bust, which loses).
- The dealer plays. The dealer reveals the hidden card and draws until reaching 17 or more.
- Payouts. Closer to 21 than the dealer wins; the same total is a push and your bet is returned.
Your choices
- Hit: take another card.
- Stand: keep your total and end your turn.
- Double down: double your bet, take exactly one more card, then stand. Available on your first two cards.
- Split: if your first two cards have the same value, split them into two hands, each with its own bet. You can split up to four hands. Split aces receive one card each.
- Insurance: when the dealer shows an Ace you can take a side bet of half your stake that pays 2 to 1 if the dealer has blackjack.
Blackjack and payouts
A blackjack is an Ace plus a ten-value card as your first two cards. It pays 3 to 2 (a 100 bet wins 150) unless the dealer also has blackjack, which is a push. Every other win pays 1 to 1. A 21 made after splitting counts as 21, not as a blackjack.
What is a soft 17?
A soft hand contains an Ace counted as 11, such as Ace and 6, which is a soft 17. It is called soft because you cannot bust by taking one more card. The dealer's rule on soft 17 matters: at Soft 17 the dealer stands on all 17s, including soft 17, which is slightly better for the player than tables where the dealer must hit soft 17.
The table rules at Soft 17
- Six decks, reshuffled at the cut card.
- Dealer stands on all 17s; dealer checks for blackjack when showing an Ace or ten.
- Blackjack pays 3 to 2; insurance pays 2 to 1.
- Double on any first two cards, including after a split.
- Split any pair of equal value, up to four hands; no re-splitting aces.
- Up to five players per table; everyone plays with play-money chips.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to play?
Yes. Soft 17 is completely free and uses play-money chips with no cash value.
Do I need an account?
No. Choose a name and sit down.
Can I play blackjack online with friends?
Yes. Create a private table and send the invite code or link. See how to play blackjack with friends.