Should you hit 12 against a 2?
Hit. The book stands on 12 only against a 4, 5 or 6.
Why
A 2 is a weak card for the dealer, but not weak enough. A dealer showing a 2 goes over 21 only 35.7% of the time. Stand on 12 and that's the only way you win, so standing loses most of the time.
Hitting 12 is less risky than it feels. Only a 10, jack, queen or king breaks it, and every other card leaves you a hand that can still improve or stand. In the app's words, a dealer showing a 2 goes over 21 only about a third of the time, so standing on 12 usually loses.
When the answer changes
This one doesn't change. Every rule set the chart covers hits 12 against a 2: one, two, six or eight decks, the dealer hitting or standing on soft 17, with or without double after split and surrender. Against a 3 the book hits too; against a 4, 5 or 6 it stands, because those cards break the dealer more often.
The full basic strategy chart for six decks, dealer hits soft 17, with every other rule set a tap away.
Questions
Should you stand on 12 against a 2?
No. The book hits. A dealer showing a 2 goes over 21 only 35.7% of the time, and standing on 12 wins only when the dealer goes over.
When do you stand on 12 in blackjack?
Against a 4, 5 or 6. Against every other dealer card, the book hits 12.
More hands
- Should you hit 16 against a dealer's 10?
- Should you hit soft 18 against a 9?
- Should you split 8s against a 10?
- Should you take insurance in blackjack?
- Blackjack hands, one at a time
Guides
Know the book before you sit down.
