Blackjack

When understanding dealer-hand rules, it's important to first understand the difference between hard and soft hands. Please refer to the "Card Placement" video in this playlist to have a detailed understanding of the differences.

As a dealer, we must make the game consistent and fair for all players involved. That means that we, (as the dealer), must take cards for our own hands and stop taking cards in a consistent and predictable manner.

*Hard Hands*
If our hand totals less than 17, we will take an additional card.

If our hand totals 18 - 21, we stop taking cards.

If our hand is more than 21, we automatically lose and will pay players that still remain.

*Soft Hands*
Soft hands have 2 values; a low value and a high value. Example:
an Ace and an 8 would be seen as either a 9 or a 19. When determining if we will hit or stay, we must first
know what the 2 values are.

If the high value is 17 or less, we will take an additional card.

If the high value is between 18 - 21, we will stop taking cards.

If the high value is 17, that means we have a soft 17. As indicated by most tables, the dealer will hit on soft 17's.

If the high-value exceeds 21, we will only look at the low-value and make our decision exactly the same way we would as if it were a hard hand.

* Keep in mind*
Some casinos have tables where the dealer will stand on all 17's. This is common in high-limit rooms.

It is recommended that you learn the patterns that the different numbers make and you should be able to identify the difference between hard and soft hands quickly. This can only be done with practice. Speed and accuracy is the goal

Remember:
There is no point if you are fast but inaccurate.
It is unprofessional if you are accurate but slow.
Being fast and accurate is the goal of all great dealers.
The only way to achieve this, is through hard work and practice.