Blackjack Online Casino Strategies, Tips, & Tricks Understanding the Blackjack Soft 17 Rule at the Casino – Can the Dealer Hit? Last Updated: March 4th, 2026 6:47 am PST A soft 17 is any hand in blackjack totalling 17 that contains an ace. It’s called “soft” since aces are flexible, counting as either 1 or 11. While players can use this flexibility to their advantage, dealers must follow the soft 17 rule, which requires them to either hit or stand. Every table will show […]