Back

Understanding Soft 19 in Blackjack

In blackjack, few hands spark as much debate as a soft 19. With an Ace that can shift between 11 and 1, it’s a hand full of possibilities and potential. This guide dives into what makes the soft 19 such a unique hand and breaks down exactly how to play it against different dealer cards so you can make smarter decisions at the table.

Table of Contents:

What is a Soft Hand?

The main difference between a "soft" and "hard" hand in blackjack is whether an Ace is counted as 11 or only as 1. A soft hand includes an Ace counted as 11; however, it can switch to 1 if necessary and is therefore considered “soft.” This allows players to take additional cards with less risk of busting (going over 21). For instance, a soft 19 consists of an Ace and an 8, totalling 19 points. If the player draws another card that would push the hand over 21, the Ace can switch to 1, keeping the player’s hand in the game.

In contrast, a hard hand either lacks an Ace or includes an Ace that is forced to count as 1 to avoid busting. For instance, a hand with a 10 and a 7 is a hard 17, and a hand with an Ace, a 7, and a 9 totals a hard 17, with the Ace counted as 1. Hard hands are more rigid, offering less flexibility, and carry a higher risk of busting when drawing additional cards.

Why is Soft 19 Considered a Challenging Hand?

A soft 19 is a strong yet often misplayed hand. Its uniqueness lies in the flexibility the Ace provides, allowing the hand's total to adjust without the risk of busting. This flexibility, however, introduces decision-making challenges, especially concerning whether to stand, hit, or double down.

The optimal play for a soft 19 depends on specific game rules and the dealer's upcard. For instance, in double-deck and multi-deck games where the dealer stands on a soft 17, the recommended strategy is to stand against all dealer upcards. Conversely, if the dealer hits on a soft 17, doubling down against a dealer's 6 upcard is advised.

These decisions make the soft 19 tricky, requiring players to be attentive to game variations and dealer rules to maximise their advantage.

Playing Soft 19 Against Dealer 2-6

When playing a soft 19 against a dealer showing a 2 through 6, standing is generally the optimal move, as soft 19 is already a strong hand. However, in specific blackjack variants where the dealer must hit on soft 17, doubling down may be considered if the dealer shows a 6.

This is because a dealer upcard of 6 presents a higher likelihood of the dealer busting, offering players an opportunity to increase their bet and capitalise on this dealer's weakness. In most standard situations, though, standing on soft 19 provides a safer advantage without the added risk.

Playing Soft 19 Against Dealer 7-8

Similar to the previous situation, the optimal strategy is to stand when holding a soft 19 against a dealer's 7 or 8 upcard. The dealer's 7 or 8 upcard indicates a strong potential for achieving a hand totalling 17 or 18, which are competitive against your soft 19. Attempting to improve your hand by hitting or doubling down comes with unnecessary risk, as the likelihood of enhancing your position is low. Standing on soft 19 in these scenarios maximises your chances of winning or pushing the hand.

Playing Soft 19 Against Dealer 9, 10, or Ace

When facing a dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace with a soft 19, standing is, once again, typically the recommended move. These upcards suggest a high chance of the dealer reaching a strong hand, possibly 19 or higher. Trying to improve your soft 19 by hitting or doubling down provides little advantage and carries a significant risk of weakening your position.

The Optimal Strategy: How Situations Affect Decisions in Soft 19

In blackjack, the optimal strategy for playing a soft 19 varies based on the game's deck count and specific rules regarding the dealer's actions on soft 17. Here's a concise guide:

Single-Deck Games

  • Dealer's Upcard of 6: Double down if possible; otherwise, stand. The dealer is more likely to bust with a 6, making doubling helpful
  • Dealer's Upcard of 2–5 or 7–Ace: In these scenarios, standing is statistically the best move

Double- or Multi-Deck Games

  • Dealer Stands on Soft 17 (S17): Always stand against any dealer upcard. The dealer's standing on soft 17 reduces their probability of going bust, so standing is optimal
  • Dealer Hits on Soft 17 (H17): Double down against a dealer's 6 upcard; otherwise, stand. The dealer hitting on soft 17 increases their chances of busting, making doubling down more favourable when they show a 6

Advanced Tips for Soft 19 Play

The section below outlines essential strategies for playing a soft 19:

When to Double Down on Soft 19

Doubling down on a soft 19 is advantageous in specific situations where the dealer shows a 6 as their upcard, especially in games where the dealer must hit on a soft 17. In this scenario, the probability of the dealer busting or finishing with a weaker hand is higher, giving you a good chance to capitalise on doubling down.

With a soft 19, you already have a strong hand, and doubling allows you to maximise potential winnings without a high risk of busting since the Ace in your hand can adjust from 11 to 1 if necessary. This play is generally not advised against any other dealer upcard, as the odds of improving your standing diminish significantly when the dealer holds a 7 or higher.

Why Standing is Usually Optimal

Standing on a soft 19 is statistically safer in most cases because it provides a solid hand total close to 21, reducing the need for further risk. Against a range of dealer upcards, from 2 to Ace, the likelihood of improving upon 19 with additional cards is low. At the same time, the chance of weakening your hand or forfeiting an advantage by hitting or doubling is high.

A soft 19 also competes well against the dealer’s likely outcomes, especially when the dealer shows stronger upcards like 7 through Ace, where the chance of them busting is lower. Standing here gives you the best odds to win or push, as trying to push beyond 19 often brings more risk than reward.

Mistakes to Avoid with Soft 19

Below are avoidable mistakes and errors players tend to make with soft 19:

  • Players sometimes assume a soft 19 is unbeatable and don’t consider situational adjustments based on the dealer's upcard
  • Many players overlook the importance of the dealer’s upcard when determining the best move, missing chances to make statistically better choices based on the dealer’s likely outcome
  • Players sometimes hit or double down on soft 19 without looking at the risks, especially against stronger dealer upcards (like 10 or Ace), which can diminish their advantage
  • While soft hands do offer flexibility, some players push their luck with a soft 19, not realising that trying to improve it often weakens the hand instead

How Practising with Soft Hands Can Lead to a Lower House Edge

Practising soft-hand strategy in blackjack can boost your skills and slightly reduce the house edge by helping you make smarter decisions. Knowing when to hit, stand, or double down increases your chances of winning each hand and avoids common mistakes that can lead to losses. Learning to perfect your soft-hand strategy improves your odds and can gradually chip away at the casino’s advantage over time.

Tools and Resources for Mastering Blackjack Strategy

Improving your blackjack strategy can be achieved through educational resources and practical tools. Here are some recommended books and software to polish your blackjack skills:

  • BlackJack Trainer 21 Training (Application): An application that allows you to practise basic strategy in a realistic simulation environment
  • Beat the Dealer by Edward O. Thorp (Book): This book introduced card counting to the public and remains a foundational text for understanding blackjack strategy
  • Blackjack Bluebook II (Book): This book covers fundamental strategies for playing blackjack, as well as advanced concepts

FAQs

Below are some commonly asked questions related to playing a soft 19 in blackjack:

What does a soft 19 mean in blackjack?

A soft 19 in blackjack is a hand totalling 19 points, including an Ace valued at 11. For example, a hand comprising an Ace and an 8 (A-8) is a soft 19. The term "soft" indicates that the Ace can also be counted as 1 if needed.

Should you hit on soft 19 in blackjack?

Generally, you should always stand on a soft 19. However, doubling down may be worth considering in some specific situations, such as when the dealer must hit on soft 17 and shows a 6 upcard.

When should you double down on soft 19?

Doubling down on a soft 19 is advisable when the dealer's upcard is a 6, and the game rules permit doubling down on soft hands. This strategy takes advantage of the dealer's weaker position.

Is soft 19 a good hand in blackjack?

Yes, soft 19 is considered a strong hand in blackjack because it’s close to 21 and offers flexibility. However, a dealer can still reach 19 or higher with various card combinations, so while soft 19 is strong, it’s not unbeatable.

What is the difference between soft and hard hands in blackjack?

A soft hand has an Ace counted as 11 (e.g., Ace-8 for soft 19), while a hard hand does not contain an Ace or has an Ace counted as 1 (e.g., 10-9 for hard 19).

Should I stand on a soft 19?

Most strategies recommend standing on a soft 19, as it’s a strong hand that doesn’t require additional risk. However, doubling down may be advisable in certain game variants, such as when the dealer must hit on soft 17 and shows a 6 upcard.

Why is soft 19 different from hard 19 in blackjack?

A soft 19 is different because it includes an Ace counted as 11, allowing the player to hit without busting. With a hard 19, an additional hit would likely lead to busting, making it riskier.

How does the dealer’s upcard affect playing a soft 19?

If the dealer’s upcard is weak (4, 5, or 6), standing on a soft 19 is usually best. In some games, doubling down can be worthwhile if the dealer hits on soft 17 and shows a 6. Standing is typically the recommended move against stronger upcards (9, 10, or Ace).