Should you stand on soft 18 against a 2?
Double. If you can't double, stand. Against a 2 through 6 the book doubles soft 18. Against a 7 or 8 it stands, and against a 9, 10 or ace it hits.
Why
Soft 18 is a fair hand to stand on, and the book stands on it against a 7 or 8. Against a 2 it doubles instead.
The double isn't about building a better hand. It's about having twice the bet out when the dealer goes over 21, which with a 2 showing is 35.7% of the time. And a soft hand can't break on one card.
When the answer changes
At the app's table (six decks, the dealer hitting soft 17, double after split and late surrender) the book doubles soft 18 against a 2. With the dealer standing on soft 17 or with a single deck, the book stands instead. Every other rule set plays it the way the app's table does.
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 soft 18 against a 3?
No. Against a 3 the book doubles soft 18. A dealer showing a 3 goes over 21 37.7% of the time.
Does the answer change if the dealer stands on soft 17?
Yes. At the app's table with the dealer standing on soft 17, the book stands on soft 18 against a 2.
More hands
- Should you double soft 17 against a 2?
- Should you double soft 17 against a 3?
- Should you double soft 16 against a 3?
- Should you hit soft 18 against a 9?
- Should you double soft 15 against a 4?
- Blackjack hands, one at a time
Guides
Know the book before you sit down.
