Quick Takeaways
- “Hit frequency” is how often players (and the dealer) take additional cards in a variant.
- Rule differences don’t just change house edge—they change the shape of hands you see.
- More hitting usually means more volatility and more chances for mistakes if you rush.
If you want the full blackjack foundation first (rules, payouts, dealer rules, and table selection basics), start with The Complete Guide to Blackjack. This guide focuses on how rule differences change the flow of play.
What “Hit Frequency” Means in Blackjack
Hit frequency is simply:
How often a hand continues past the first two cards.
It applies to:
- Players (how often basic strategy tells you to hit)
- Dealers (how often dealer rules force extra draws)
When hit frequency is higher:
- hands last longer
- more cards are exposed
- variance can feel stronger
- speed pressure increases
- mistakes become more likely
That’s why two blackjack tables can feel totally different even when they look similar.
Why Hit Frequency Changes: The Rules Behind the Flow
Hit frequency changes mainly because of these rule levers:
- Dealer hits or stands on soft 17 (H17 vs S17)
- Number of decks
- Blackjack payout (3:2 vs 6:5)
- Double rules
- Split rules
- Surrender availability
- Whether the table uses side bets or multi-hand options (online)
Not all of these change hit frequency equally, but together they change the rhythm of the game.
Dealer Soft 17 Rule: A Big Hit-Frequency Driver
The most famous rule difference is:
Dealer Stands on Soft 17 (S17)
Dealer stops drawing when they reach soft 17.
Dealer Hits Soft 17 (H17)
Dealer must draw on soft 17.
That creates more dealer hits and changes outcomes in a noticeable way.
Why it matters to players:
- H17 tables create more “extra card” situations for the dealer
- which can change the feel of the game (and often increases pressure)
If you want a clean breakdown of dealer rules, revisit Understanding Dealer Rules: Hit, Stand & Soft Totals.
Number of Decks: More Decks Can Change Borderline Spots
A 1–2 deck game and an 8-deck shoe game don’t “feel” the same.
More decks can:
- make certain hands slightly more common in the long run
- reduce the impact of specific card-removal effects
- change how often you face some borderline hit/stand decisions
For most players, the practical takeaway is simple:
- the more decks, the more you should rely on clean basic strategy and rule selection
If you want a direct comparison of deck formats, see The Difference Between 6-Deck and 8-Deck Blackjack Games.
Surrender Rules Reduce Hitting (And Reduce Pain)
Surrender is one of the few rules that can reduce hit frequency directly.
When surrender is available, you sometimes choose to:
- lose half the bet and end the hand
That means fewer drawn-out “hoping” hands where you hit into a bust.
If surrender exists, it can lower the number of desperate hit decisions you face.
If you want the surrender breakdown later, see Understanding Surrender Options in Blackjack (Early vs Late).
Double Rules Change How Often You “Need” to Hit
Doubling down can reduce hit frequency in a sneaky way.
When you double:
- you take exactly one more card
- and then stand automatically
So doubling shifts some situations from:
- “hit, hit, maybe stand”
into: - “take one card and stop”
Tables that restrict doubling (or limit doubling after split) can increase the number of “continue hitting” hands.
If you want the intuition behind doubles, revisit The Math Behind Doubling Down in Blackjack.
Split Rules Can Increase Hands Played (Even if Hit Frequency Per Hand Stays Similar)
Splitting doesn’t always increase hit frequency per hand, but it increases:
- the number of hands you play in a round
- the number of decision points
- the amount of time and attention required
This creates the feeling of “more action” and often more mistakes if you rush.
If you want a full split guide, revisit When to Split Pairs: A Complete Strategy Breakdown.
Payout Rules Don’t Change Hit Frequency, But They Change Risk Feel
A 6:5 table doesn’t directly force you to hit more.
But it changes the “value” of your best hand, which changes:
- your long-run results
- how quickly bankroll feels pressure
- how emotionally you respond to swings
That emotional pressure can cause more hitting mistakes—even if the rules don’t.
If you want the full payout explanation, see Understanding 3:2 vs 6:5 Blackjack Payouts.
Online Variants Increase “Effective Hit Frequency” Through Speed
Online blackjack can feel like higher hit frequency because:
- tables run faster
- you play more hands per hour
- decision timers push you to act
- multi-hand options increase total decisions
So even if a variant’s rules don’t force more hits, online play can create the same effect: more action, more pressure, more mistakes.
If you want a practical plan for fast tables, revisit How to Adapt Strategy for Fast-Paced Blackjack Games.
What Hit Frequency Means for Your Game
Here’s the practical takeaway:
Higher Hit Frequency Means:
- more decision moments
- more chances for mistakes
- more fatigue risk
- more emotional swings
Lower Hit Frequency Means:
- fewer decision moments
- more standing and comparing totals
- slower bankroll swings
- easier discipline (for many players)
Neither is “good” or “bad” automatically. The best version is the one where you can play clean.
How to Use Hit Frequency When Choosing Tables
Before you commit to a table, check:
- Is this H17 or S17?
- How many decks?
- Are doubles restricted?
- Is surrender available?
- Is the table speed comfortable?
If you want a full rules scan checklist, revisit How to Spot Favorable Blackjack Rules at Online Casinos.
Mini FAQ: Hit Frequency and Variants
1) Does Higher Hit Frequency Mean the Table Is Worse?
Not necessarily. It just means more hands continue past two cards, which can feel more volatile.
2) Which Rule Increases Dealer Hitting the Most?
Dealer hitting soft 17 (H17) is one of the biggest drivers.
3) Does Number of Decks Change How Often I Hit?
It can influence borderline spots over time, but for most players the main fix is clean basic strategy.
4) Does 6:5 Payout Change Strategy?
It doesn’t usually change basic hit/stand rules, but it makes the game less favorable overall.
5) Why Do Online Games Feel Like More Action?
Speed, timers, and multi-hand options increase total decisions per hour.
Where To Go Next
Now that you understand why hit frequency changes across variants, the next step is learning how to interpret one of the most useful tools in blackjack math: dealer bust probability.
Continue with Understanding the “Dealer Bust Probability” Chart.
