{"id":13381,"date":"2026-06-10T10:07:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T14:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/casino.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/?p=13381"},"modified":"2026-06-10T10:07:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T14:07:15","slug":"soft-vs-hard-blackjack-strategies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/soft-vs-hard-blackjack-strategies\/","title":{"rendered":"Soft vs. Hard Blackjack Hands: Why the Difference Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Holding a hard or a soft hand alters the recommended strategy.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hard vs. soft totals for the dealer also influence player decisions.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Players need to account for the element of chance in every hand.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each hand of blackjack can be drastically different from the one preceding it. The game\u2019s perfect mix of strategy and unpredictability makes it a casino classic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you\u2019re playing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/casino\/c\/tablegames\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>blackjack online<\/strong><\/a>, the compositions of the hands you\u2019re dealt fit into several categories. One of the most important distinctions is whether your hand is hard or soft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recognizing a hard and soft hand is one of the most essential<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/blackjack-101-the-basics-behind-21\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blackjack basics<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-does-it-mean-to-have-a-hard-or-a-soft-hand-in-blackjack\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Does It Mean to Have a Hard or a Soft Hand in Blackjack?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-practice-blackjack-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>practicing blackjack strategy<\/strong><\/a>, one of the first things you should look for in the cards you\u2019re dealt is whether at least one of those cards is an ace. In terms of a hard or soft total, that card makes all the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In standard blackjack and most<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/a-guide-to-blackjack-variations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blackjack variants<\/a><\/strong>, an ace can count as a one or an 11 when composing your total. That flexibility makes a hand soft. For example, if you have an ace and a jack, you have a soft 21, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/are-all-blackjack-face-cards-worth-10\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>face cards are worth 10<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other hand, if you didn\u2019t have an ace, that would be considered a hard hand. An example of a hard 21 would be a six, a seven, and an eight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-hard-vs-soft-totals-change-basic-strategies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Hard vs. Soft Totals Change Basic Strategies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As you play <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/top-blackjack-games-to-play-at-borgata\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Borgata Online\u2019s top blackjack games<\/strong><\/a>, you\u2019ll come across some time-tested strategy recommendations, like always splitting a pair of eights. Sage wisdom for the game deviates based on whether you are or aren\u2019t holding an ace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are some similarities, like<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/what-to-do-with-soft-17-in-blackjack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">holding a soft 17<\/a> <\/strong>or hard 17. Both usually produce a recommendation of standing. A 17 is a strong total regardless of how you get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, traditional strategy advice counsels players to stand on a hard total of 12 or higher against specific low-value dealer upcards, while holding a soft 12 to soft 16 elicits the conventional wisdom of hitting. These subtleties are some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/fun-facts-about-blackjack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>most fun aspects of blackjack<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-advanced-strategy-modifications-for-hard-and-soft-hands\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Advanced Strategy Modifications for Hard and Soft Hands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re playing<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/single-hand-blackjack-vs-multi-hand-blackjack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">single-hand or multihand blackjack<\/a><\/strong>, you usually have more choices than just hitting or standing. Most versions of blackjack also offer the option to double down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This option works in concert with the choice to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/how-to-know-when-to-hit-or-stand-in-a-blackjack-game\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hit or stand in blackjack<\/a> <\/strong>because, in games with traditional rules, you automatically get a third card when you double down. That\u2019s why it can be a slightly riskier but potentially rewarding move to double down with a soft 13 to 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The totals shift with a hard hand, normally a hard nine to 11, with which the reward can merit the risk. One of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/the-advantages-of-playing-blackjack-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>advantages of playing blackjack online<\/strong><\/a> is that you can experiment with these strategy tips at your own pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-accounting-for-a-dealer-hard-vs-soft-hand\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Accounting for a Dealer Hard vs. Soft Hand<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"610\" src=\"https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips.jpg\" alt=\"An ace of diamonds and a king of spades stand in front of colorful casino chip stacks on a blackjack table.\" class=\"wp-image-18267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips-1024x578.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips-768x434.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips.jpg?w=108 108w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips.jpg?w=216 216w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips.jpg?w=432 432w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips.jpg?w=540 540w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips.jpg?w=648 648w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips.jpg?w=864 864w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/10100127\/ace-and-king-against-stacks-of-casino-chips.jpg?w=972 972w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the dealer\u2019s upcard is an ace, the standard logic carries a few recommendations. This could be when you consider<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/surrender-in-blackjack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">surrendering in blackjack<\/a><\/strong> if the game allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This might also be an opportunity to think about <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/blackjack-insurance-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blackjack insurance<\/a> <\/strong>as a hedge bet, but remember, this is a risky wager. If the dealer is showing an ace, then you can use the other information at your disposal to weigh these options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cards in your hand, as well as other players\u2019 cards on the table, inform you of what remains in the shoe and help you gauge the odds of the dealer hitting blackjack. That\u2019s why, among all the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/important-blackjack-dealer-rules\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>blackjack dealer rules you need to know<\/strong><\/a>, reacting to the dealer showing an ace is among the most important.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-build-your-blackjack-experience-at-borgata-online-casino\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Build Your Blackjack Experience at Borgata Online Casino<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With blackjack, one of the best ways to learn is to play. You can experience the impact of a hard vs. soft hand and enjoy amazing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/welcome-guide-borgata-online-rewards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Borgata Online Rewards<\/strong><\/a> at the same time when you play with Borgata Online Casino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s an exclusive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/borgata-online-casino-welcome-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Borgata Online welcome offer<\/strong><\/a> for new players who are looking for new blackjack experiences. Borgata Online offers the best selection of games for New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents aged 21 or older.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can check out that game library for yourself and all the other benefits when you<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/myaccount\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">register<\/a> <\/strong>for Borgata Online.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18266,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casino","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.5 (Yoast SEO v28.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Hard and Soft Blackjack Hand Totals and Strategy - Borgata Online<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"One of the most significant points of distinction for blackjack players is whether they\u2019re holding hard or soft totals. Learn the difference.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/soft-vs-hard-blackjack-strategies\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hard and Soft Blackjack Hand Totals and Strategy - Borgata Online\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"One of the most significant points of distinction for blackjack players is whether they\u2019re holding hard or soft totals. 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