Hard total · Dealer shows 2
Hard 13 vs a dealer 2
Basic strategyStand.
Why
A dealer 2 is the strongest of the bust cards. It busts about 35% of the time, less than a 4, 5 or 6. That's why 12 vs 2 is a hit while 13 vs 2 is a stand: one extra point is enough to tip the balance.
With 13, any 9 or 10-value card busts you, which is 5 cards in 13, about 38%. That's too much risk when the dealer has a decent chance to bust on their own.
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 | −$30.86 | −$30.78 |
| Stand | −$28.65Best | −$29.28Best |
| Double (2× bet) | −$61.73 | −$61.56 |
| Surrender (if offered) | −$50.00 | −$50.00 |
Dealer hits soft 17: stand beats hit by $2.21 per $100. Dealer stands on soft 17: stand beats hit by $1.50 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 | Stand |
| Dealer hits soft 17, surrender allowed Some higher-limit tables | Stand |
| Dealer stands on soft 17, no surrender Felt says “stands on all 17s” | Stand |
| Dealer stands on soft 17, surrender allowed Best common shoe game | Stand |
The answer is the same under every common rule set.
Common mistake
Applying the 12-vs-2 hit rule to 13. The exception is only for 12.
Going further
Hi-Lo counters hit 13 vs 2 when the true count is −1 or lower. A deck rich in small cards makes hitting safer and makes the dealer less likely to bust.
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
Why hit 12 vs 2 but stand on 13?
Only a 10-value card busts 12, while 9s and 10s both bust 13. That extra bust risk makes standing better on 13.
What about 13 vs 3?
Stand. Stand on 13 through 16 against any dealer 2 through 6.