Casino

What’s the difference between a ‘soft’ and a ‘hard’ hand in blackjack?

If there is one casino game throughout history that has attracted legions of fans, it is blackjack. Also known as 21 in some countries, this game is not only exciting to play but also offers deep strategy. If you plan to play blackjack online, you must first get everything in place to have the best time. In many ways, this is the same for all casino games – you would first find out strategies to win at roulette before playing that game, for example.

Finding a reputable online casino to game at is naturally crucial to begin with and true wherever you are in the world. For players in New Jersey, hunting out the best NJ online casino is a must. For most, Resorts Casino is a popular choice because it is easy to signup with, looks after its players, has great welcome bonuses, and carries top games such as blackjack.

It is also worth getting to know the rules of the game and taking time to understand the terminology involved. One key concept to grasp is‘hard’ and ‘soft’ hands.

What is a ‘soft’ hand in blackjack?

A ‘soft’ hand refers to any hand with an Ace. If you are dealt your initial two cards and one is an Ace, then you have a ‘soft’ hand. It does not matter which other card you have in addition to the Ace.

What does this mean for playing blackjack though? The neat thing is that the Ace can count for either a 1 or an 11, depending on which suits your other cards best. You may, for example, be dealt an Ace and a 5 – this could then be viewed as a 6 or a 16 as required. As you can see, the level of flexibility with a ‘soft’ hand is very useful for players.

What is a ‘hard’ hand in blackjack?

As you may have already guessed, a ‘hard’ blackjack hand is the opposite of a ‘soft’ hand. This means that you do not have an Ace in the first two cards you are dealt. The downside to this is that you are stuck with the value of the cards as shown and have no flexibility. With a ‘hard’ hand, if you get a 10 and a 5, then it is a fixed 15.As you would expect, ‘hard’ hands are less favored by players as their in-game options are reduced and it is tougher to beat the dealer.

Blackjack hands are the key to success

Playing online casino games has been popular with many for a few years now, and the positive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global gambling sector has accelerated this process even further. Games such as blackjack are key to this and help make online play fun for all.It is clear to anyone who plays, however,that the cards you hold in blackjack are the key to winning or losing. With this in mind, knowing the difference between a ‘soft’ and a‘hard’ hand is worthwhile.