In more detail, a Pat Hand is a strong position in blackjack because the hand’s total is close enough to 21, reducing the need for additional cards that could potentially cause the player to bust. Most players will stand on a Pat Hand, especially if the dealer shows a weaker card, as hitting could lead to exceeding 21. Common examples of Pat Hands include totals of 17, 18, 19, or 20, either from the initial deal or after hitting.
Pat Hand Example
For example, if you are dealt a 10 and a 7 for a total of 17, this is considered a Pat Hand, and most players would stand rather than risk drawing a card and going over 21.