Should you hit 12 against a 3?
Hit. The book stands on 12 against a 4, 5 or 6 and hits against the rest.
Why
A 3 is a weak card for the dealer, but not weak enough to stand on 12. With a 3 showing, the dealer goes over 21 37.7% of the time, and standing on 12 wins only then.
Hitting 12 is safer than it feels. Only 4 of the 13 ranks break it: a 10, jack, queen or king. Against a 4, 5 or 6 the dealer goes over 21 more often, and that's where the book stands.
When the answer changes
This one doesn't change. Every rule set the chart covers hits 12 against a 3: one, two, six or eight decks, the dealer hitting or standing on soft 17, with or without double after split and surrender.
The full basic strategy chart for six decks, dealer hits soft 17, with every other rule set a tap away.
Questions
Should you hit 12 against a 4?
No. Against a 4 the book stands on 12. A dealer showing a 4 goes over 21 39.8% of the time.
Is it different at a single-deck table?
No. At the app's table with a single deck, the book still hits. So does every rule set the chart covers.
More hands
- Should you hit 12 against a 2?
- Should you hit 12 against a 4?
- Should you double 9 against a 3?
- Should you hit 13 against a 2?
- Should you double 9 against a 2?
- Blackjack hands, one at a time
Guides
Know the book before you sit down.
