Do you hit or stand on 16 in blackjack?

A hard 16 is the most hated hand in blackjack - too weak to feel safe, too high to hit comfortably. There is no play that wins often, but there is a correct one, and it depends entirely on the card the dealer is showing.

Quick answer: It depends on the dealer's upcard. Stand on a hard 16 when the dealer shows a weak card, 2 through 6, and hit when the dealer shows a strong card, 7 through Ace. If surrender is offered, give up 16 against a dealer 9, 10 or Ace. A pair of 8s that makes 16 should be split, not played as a 16.

The rule of thumb

Look at the dealer's upcard. If it is 2 through 6, the dealer is likely to bust, so stand and let them take the risk. If it is 7 through Ace, the dealer will probably make a strong total, so you must hit and try to improve, even though you might bust.

Why 16 is so bad

A hard 16 loses more than any other total because you are stuck: standing usually loses to the dealer, and hitting busts often. That is why surrender exists - against a 9, 10 or Ace, folding for half your bet beats playing the hand out.

The pair of 8s exception

If your 16 is a pair of 8s, do not treat it as 16 at all - split it. Two hands each starting with 8 are far better than one terrible 16. This is a cornerstone of basic strategy. Drill it free on Classic Blackjack.

Practice the tough calls

Related questions

What is a hard hand in blackjack?

A hard hand is any hand with no Ace, or with an Ace that must count as 1 to avoid busting. Because there is no flexible 11 to protect you, one wrong card can push you over 21. Ten-6 is a hard 16, and hard 12 through 16 are the trickiest totals in the game to play correctly.

When should you surrender in blackjack?

Surrender lets you fold a bad hand and lose only half your bet. The correct spots are few: surrender a hard 16 (not a pair of 8s) against a dealer 9, 10 or Ace, and a hard 15 against a dealer 10. In these cases you expect to lose more than half the time, so giving up half is the mathematically better play.

What is basic strategy in blackjack?

Basic strategy is the mathematically proven best decision for every possible hand you can hold against every card the dealer can show. It was worked out with computer simulations and is usually shown as a color-coded chart. Following it perfectly reduces the house edge to about 0.5%, without any card counting required.