Hit or stand on 16 against a dealer 10?

The hand

Average win or loss per unit of the original bet (−0.5000 loses half the bet on average), computed exactly from the cards left in the shoe, with perfect play afterwards. In US games the numbers are after the dealer has checked for blackjack.

Why

A 16 only wins by standing when the dealer busts, and a dealer showing a 10 makes 17 or better most of the time. Hitting busts often too, but it sometimes gets you to 17–21. It is close: hitting is only slightly better than standing, which is why surrendering half the bet beats both. Once your 16 has three or more cards, you have taken small cards out of the shoe and standing becomes the better play.

Do the table rules change the answer?

The answer changes on 5 of the 8 tables below, highlighted.

H17: the dealer hits soft 17. S17: the dealer stands on soft 17. DAS: you can double after splitting. European tables have no hole card, so the dealer only checks for blackjack after you play: those numbers include losing everything you bet to a dealer blackjack. They also allow doubling on 9 to 11 only and one split.

Does it matter which cards make the total?

Against the same dealer card, on 6 decks · H17 · DAS · surrender.

Related questions

• Should you surrender 16 against a dealer 9?

  Yes, in shoe games that offer late surrender. Without surrender, hit.

• Should you split 8s against a dealer ace?

  Split them, except in shoe games where the dealer hits soft 17 and late surrender is offered: there, surrender.

• Should you hit 12 against a dealer 2?

  Yes. Hit 12 against a 2.

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