Hard total · Dealer shows 3
Hard 12 vs a dealer 3
Basic strategyHit. It's close, but hitting wins.
Why
A dealer 3 busts a little more often than a 2, but not often enough to make standing on 12 correct. Only a 10-value card can bust your 12, so you have a lot of room to improve.
The gap is small: under two dollars per $100. It's still worth playing correctly because 12 vs 3 comes up often.
By the numbers
Average result per $100 initial bet, after the dealer checks for blackjack. A negative number is an average loss; the best play is the one that loses least or wins most.
| Play | Dealer hits soft 17 | Dealer stands on soft 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Hit | −$23.40Best | −$23.37Best |
| Stand | −$24.66 | −$25.23 |
| Double (2× bet) | −$46.80 | −$46.74 |
| Surrender (if offered) | −$50.00 | −$50.00 |
Dealer hits soft 17: hit beats stand by $1.26 per $100. Dealer stands on soft 17: hit beats stand by $1.86 per $100.
Infinite-deck model, which tracks a 6–8 deck shoe closely. Double after split allowed, no resplits. How we calculate.
How the table rules change it
| Table rules (4–8 decks, double after split unless noted) | Play |
|---|---|
| Dealer hits soft 17, no surrender Most Florida and Las Vegas tables | Hit |
| Dealer hits soft 17, surrender allowed Some higher-limit tables | Hit |
| Dealer stands on soft 17, no surrender Felt says “stands on all 17s” | Hit |
| Dealer stands on soft 17, surrender allowed Best common shoe game | Hit |
The answer is the same under every common rule set.
Common mistake
Standing out of fear of the 10. Nine of thirteen card ranks improve your hand.
Going further
Hi-Lo counters stand on 12 vs 3 at a true count of +2 or higher. It's one of the first index plays most counters learn.
Drill it
This hand first, then the spots people mix it up with. The switches match your table’s rules and carry over to the full trainer.
Questions
Where's the line for 12?
Hit 12 against 2 and 3, stand against 4 through 6, hit against 7 through ace.
Does it change if the dealer hits soft 17?
No. 12 vs 3 is a hit under both rules.