Soft 16 in blackjack: the verdict vs every dealer card
Soft 16 can’t bust on one card — the ace flexes from 11 to 1 — so the row is about pressing edges, not survival: hit against 2–3, double against 4–6 and hit against 7–A.
The row, at a glance
| You | Dealer’s upcard | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A | |
| 16 | H | H | D | D | D | H | H | H | H | H |
Every cell links to the full page: exact EV of each action, win/push/lose odds, and the math behind the call.
Character of the hand
Best-play win chance runs from 34.7% against a 10 to 52.3% against a 6. The clearest call is Soft 16 vs A — the wrong pick costs about 45.8¢ per $1. Even the tightest call — vs 3 — still carries a 1.6¢ gap: no coin-flips in this row, the book holds everywhere.
All ten matchups
Soft 16 vs 2Hitwin 46.5%Soft 16 vs 3Hitwin 48.1%Soft 16 vs 4Doublewin 49.1%Soft 16 vs 5Doublewin 50.9%Soft 16 vs 6Doublewin 52.3%Soft 16 vs 7Hitwin 45.8%Soft 16 vs 8Hitwin 41.8%Soft 16 vs 9Hitwin 37.6%Soft 16 vs 10Hitwin 34.7%Soft 16 vs AHitwin 36.8%
Quick answers
Do you ever double soft 16?
Yes — against 4–6. Where doubling isn’t allowed, hit instead. Full breakdown: Soft 16 vs 2.
Hit or stand on soft 16 against a dealer 2?
Basic strategy says Hit. Your chance of winning with the best play is about 46.5% (push 4.9%). Full breakdown: Soft 16 vs 2.