Pat Hand
A pat hand in blackjack at an online casino refers to a hand that totals between 17 and 21, a strong enough hand that players typically stand without taking additional cards. The term is used to distinguish hands that are statistically unlikely to benefit from hitting. Recognizing pat hands is an important part of blackjack strategy, helping players make informed decisions and minimize unnecessary risk.
What Is a Pat Hand?
Let's explain using an example.
If you are dealt a 10 and a 7, that’s a total of 17. This is a classic pat hand. Most players will stand, and in many situations, basic strategy recommends doing exactly that, especially when the dealer has a weaker upcard.
Pat hands are especially important because they are a natural part of blackjack strategy and a key indicator of when to stop drawing cards. Unlike hands that need improvement, pat hands are 'good enough' and carry a relatively high chance of winning or pushing without additional risk.
Soft vs. Hard Pat Hands
Pat hands can be either hard or soft, and it’s important to distinguish between the two:
Hard Pat Hands contain no Aces counted as 11. For example, a 10 and 7 equals a hard 17. Once you're at a hard 17 or higher, hitting risks busting, so standing is usually the correct move.
Soft Pat Hands include an Ace valued as 11. For example, Ace-6 is a soft 17. This is still technically a pat hand, but strategy often recommends hitting soft 17, especially if the dealer has a strong upcard like a 9, 10, or Ace.
While both types of hands qualify as 'pat', soft pat hands are more flexible because the Ace can still be downgraded to 1, preventing an immediate bust if you choose to hit.
Why Pat Hands Matter in Strategy
Understanding pat hands is essential for optimal play. Pat hands indicate a high enough total that further risk is often unnecessary, and unwise. If you’re holding 17 through 21, the likelihood of busting by taking another card becomes increasingly high:
- At 17, you’ll bust on a 5 or higher.
- At 18, bust on 4 or higher.
- At 19, bust on 3 or higher.
- At 20, bust on 2 or higher.
The idea behind pat hands is that you're in a relatively strong position already. Strategy charts are built around this principle, and knowing when to stand on a pat hand is key to reducing the house edge.
For example, basic strategy tells you to stand on hard 17 or higher, but hit soft 17 unless specific rules (like dealer standing on soft 17) apply.
Dealer Pat Hands
The term also applies to the dealer's hand. In most blackjack games, the dealer must stand on all pat hands—specifically, hard 17 through 21. Some casinos require the dealer to hit soft 17, which can shift the house edge slightly in the casino’s favor.
Understanding this distinction is important when calculating your next move. If the dealer is likely to end up with a pat hand, your strategy may need to be more conservative. Conversely, if the dealer is working with a low upcard (like 4, 5, or 6), the risk of busting is higher, and your pat hand has a better chance of holding up.
Common Mistakes with Pat Hands
Despite the name suggesting a 'finished' hand, players sometimes make risky decisions with pat hands:
- Hitting Hard 17: This is usually a mistake, as you have a high bust probability. Only hit hard 17 in very rare strategy exceptions (e.g., when surrender isn’t available and you’re facing a dealer Ace with specific side counts).
- Standing on Soft 17 in the Wrong Situation: Soft 17 looks decent, but it’s weak compared to most dealer hands. If the rules allow, hitting or doubling is often the correct move.
- Confusing Hard and Soft Totals: Many players incorrectly calculate soft hands, failing to recognize the safety net the Ace provides.
Recognizing pat hands and knowing how to play them correctly is foundational to sound blackjack strategy.
FAQs About Pat Hands in Blackjack
What is considered a pat hand in blackjack?
A pat hand is any hand with a total of 17 to 21. It’s usually strong enough to stand without drawing additional cards.
Should I hit a soft 17?
In most cases, yes. Basic strategy recommends hitting soft 17, especially if the dealer shows a strong upcard like 9, 10, or Ace.
What is the difference between a hard and soft pat hand?
A hard pat hand contains no Ace valued at 11, while a soft pat hand does. Soft pat hands are more flexible because the Ace can prevent a bust if you hit.
Do dealers always stand on pat hands?
Dealers typically stand on hard 17 or higher. However, some casinos require dealers to hit on soft 17, which gives the house a slight edge.
Can I split a pat hand?
No. A pat hand results from your total, not from matching card ranks. You can only split pairs like two 8s or two Kings, not totals like 17 or 18.
