Playing the Not So Sweet 16 in Online Blackjack

One of the hands that players hate when playing online blackjack is 16. It is a hand that loses most of the time and one in which players debate as to what to do. How should you play your hand when it totals 16?

Blackjack strategy says that you should stand on your 16 when the dealer is showing two through six. When the dealer has a 7 through ace then you should hit that 16.

The strategy changes a bit when you have a soft 16. That means you have a hand that totals 16 but it has an ace in it so it could also be a six. If you have a soft 16 and the dealer has a 4, 5 or 6 you want to double down. The dealer is weak so you want as much money as possible in play on your hand. You hit everything else in terms of a soft 16 since you can only improve your hand.

Another thing that will happen sometimes with your 16 is that you get a pair of eights. You should always split those 8’s against weak dealer cards of 2-7 but with 8 though ace you are actually better off just hitting your 16 instead of splitting into two hands that could both lose.

Also keep in mind that if you are playing online blackjack with the surrender option you should surrender if the dealer is showing a 9, 10 or ace.

Keep these things in mind the next time you are dealt 16 playing online blackjack.