If you’ve ever played any of our versions of blackjack at Joe Fortune, you’ll know there’s one hand that gives you players the biggest headache… that’s right it is when you get dealt the dreaded 16. It’s a proper tough spot; the kind of hand that makes many of you second-guess yourselves. Should you hit and risk busting? or stand and then hope and pray the dealer goes over 21? It’s a question that’s sparked many debates at casino tables around the world, as well as here at Australia’s best online casino. The answer often depends on the rules of the table you’re playing at, so let’s break it all down and make sense of what to do when you’re stuck with a 16 in blackjack.
What Hand Combinations Make Up a 16?
Before diving into any strategies, it’s worth understanding what makes up a 16 in blackjack. You can land on a total of 16 with several different card combos:
- 10 and 6
- 9 and 7
- 8 and 8
- A face card and 6
- A soft 16, like Ace and 5
Each combo behaves slightly differently depending on whether it’s a hard or soft 16. A hard 16 means there’s no Ace counted as 11 in the hand, while a soft 16 includes an Ace that can be valued as 1 or 11. The way you play these hands depends on those subtle differences and the specific rules of the version of blackjack that you’re playing.
What to Do with a Hard 16 in an H17 Game?
Let’s say you’ve got a hard 16 for example a 6 and a 10, or a 9 and a 7. You’re playing at a table where the dealer must hit on soft 17 (i.e. an H17 Game). This rule gives the dealer a slight edge, and as a player, you’ve got to be a bit more aggressive with your decisions to compensate. So, do you hit on 16… Here’s our basic Aussie-friendly rule of thumb:
- If the dealer’s up card is a 7 through Ace, you hit.
- If the dealer’s up card is 2 through 6, you stand.
The plan is simple, if the dealer has a strong card showing, you must try and improve your hand, even though you could bust. If they’ve got a weak card (i.e. 2–6), there’s a pretty good chance they’ll bust, so you want to stay put and let them make the mistake. Sure, it’s painful, but the stats don’t lie, it’s your best chance of winning in the long run.
What to Do with a Soft 16 in an H17 Game?
Now let’s look at a soft 16 which is usually an Ace and a 5. This hand is a bit more flexible and gives you a bit of insurance because if you hit and draw a high card, the Ace can turn from being 11 to 1, which stops you from busting straight away. In an H17 game, the strategy changes a little bit so here’s what we reckon you should do:
- If the dealer is showing 4, 5 or 6, you should double down (if allowed in the game you’re playing).
- If doubling isn’t allowed, just simply hit.
- If the dealer has anything else, again you should hit.
The reason you double down against 4 to 6 is that those are weak dealer cards. By adding one more card to your soft hand, you’re increasing the chances of making a stronger total, and you want to get more money in play when the dealer has a greater chance to bust.
Does Strategy Change Between H17 and S17 Games?
100% it does. As whilst there’s only a slight difference, it is an important one between H17 (where a Dealer hits soft 17) and S17 (where a Dealer stands on soft 17). In an S17 game, the dealer is less likely to improve a marginal hand, which gives you players a bit of an edge. As a result, your blackjack strategy should become a little more conservative. So, here’s how that impacts on your decisions with 16:
- In H17 games, you are more likely to hit with marginal hands because the dealer is more dangerous.
- In S17 games, you might stand more often or be more selective about doubling down.
For example, with a soft 18 (that’s an Ace and 7), you’d hit against a dealer’s 9 or 10 in an H17 game, but you might stand in an S17 game. With a 16, the change is a bit more subtle, but it does affect things like whether you should surrender (if that’s an option in the game you’re playing) or how aggressive you should be with your hits.
What to Do with a Pair of 8s?
Here’s another dead set classic dilemma which we have all experienced… you’re dealt a pair of 8s, which also add up to 16. Should you treat this like a normal 16? No! You should always, always split and here’s why: a pair of 8s makes for a poor total, but when you split them, you get two shots at making hands starting from 8 which is a lot better. You’re turning one dodgy hand into two potentially decent ones.
Even if the dealer’s got a 10 or an Ace showing, it’s still correct to split. The stats prove it’s a better long-term move, even if it doesn’t always feel like it in the moment. In fact, splitting 8s is one of the most consistent pieces of basic strategy in blackjack. It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing H17, S17, or even one of our other exciting variations of blackjack, just split them and hope for the best.
Strategy Summed Up
Here’s our easy-to-follow quick rundown of what to do with a 16 in blackjack:
- Hard 16 against Dealer who has 2–6 → Stand
- Hard 16 against Dealer 7–Ace → Hit
- Soft 16 (Ace + 5) → Hit, or Double if the dealer shows 4–6 and doubling is allowed
- Pair of 8s → Always split, no matter what the dealer has!
- In H17 games, lean more towards hitting
- In S17 games, be a bit more conservative
And finally, if the version of blackjack you are playing offers the option to surrender (note that it is not always available), then surrendering a hard 16 against a dealer 9, 10 or Ace is the best play as it reduces potential losses over time.
Final Thoughts
Blackjack’s all about making the best decisions over time and not necessarily winning every single hand. That 16 might feel like a nightmare, but if you stick to the right moves and try to ignore your gut feeling to “just stand and hope,” you’ll be in a stronger position overall. And of course be sure to check the rules of whichever version of blackjack you are playing here at Joe Fortune.
We believe in bringing you a fun online blackjack experience here are some important reminders:
- Play for Fun: Treat blackjack as a form of entertainment, not to make money.
- Set Blackjack Limits: Establish your budget before you start playing and stick to it.
- Take Breaks: Regular breaks help maintain a healthy perspective.
- Know When to Stop: If you’re feeling stressed it’s time to take a break or seek help.
- Seek Support: If you feel that gambling is becoming a problem, reach out for support.