Should You Hit a 12 in Blackjack?

If you’re a blackjack player, one of the most common dilemmas you’ll face at the table is whether or not to hit a 12. It’s a tricky hand that can lead to some tough decisions, and there are a lot of different factors to consider before making your move.

So, should you hit a 12 in blackjack? The answer, as with many things in this game, is “it depends.” Let’s take a closer look at why hitting a 12 can be such a tough decision and explore some of the different factors that might come into play.

First off, let’s clarify what we mean when we say “a 12.” In blackjack, your hand is valued based on the total of all the cards in it. A 12 means that you have two cards that add up to 12 – for example, an Ace and a Jack or a Six and a Six.

So why is this particular hand so tricky? Well, there are a few reasons. For starters, it’s right on the edge between two different strategies: hitting and standing.

If you have less than 12, it’s pretty much always best to hit (unless you have an Ace that can be counted as either one or eleven). If you have more than 16 or so, it’s usually best to stand. But in that middle ground between 12 and 16, things get murky.

Another complicating factor is the dealer’s up card. In blackjack, one of the dealer’s cards is face-up for all players to see. Depending on what this card is – whether it’s low (2 through 6) or high (7 through Ace) – your strategy may shift slightly.

With those factors in mind, let’s explore some different scenarios where you might be faced with the decision of whether or not to hit a 12.

Scenario #1: You have a hard 12 (no Ace)

If your 12 is made up of two non-Ace cards (for example, a Nine and a Three), you’re in a tough spot. In this scenario, the best strategy depends on what the dealer’s up card is.

If the dealer has a low card (2 through 6), it’s usually best to stand. The reason for this is that there’s a good chance the dealer will bust if they have to hit their hand.

On the other hand, if the dealer has a high card (7 through Ace), you should hit your 12. The reason for this is that there’s a good chance the dealer will have a better hand than you and you’ll need to improve your own hand in order to compete.

Scenario #2: You have a soft 12 (with an Ace)

If one of your cards is an Ace (which can count as either one or eleven depending on what’s most advantageous), things get even trickier. In general, it’s usually best to hit a soft 12 against any dealer up card except for maybe an Ace or Ten.

If you’re playing with blackjack basic strategy, which is designed to give you the best possible odds in any given situation, it will tell you to hit your soft 12 against anything except for maybe an Ace or Ten. This may seem counterintuitive – after all, shouldn’t you be standing when the dealer has such strong cards?

But remember that with a soft 12, there’s still plenty of room for improvement. You might draw another low card and end up with a hard 12 anyway, or you might get lucky and draw another Ace or even a Nine or Ten.

Of course, there are always exceptions to these guidelines. Sometimes it just comes down to your gut feeling – maybe you’ve been on a hot streak and feel like taking more risks – or maybe you’re just not confident in your basic strategy skills. In those cases, it’s okay to deviate from the norm and make your own decisions.

In conclusion, whether or not you should hit a 12 in blackjack is a complex question with no easy answer. It depends on a variety of different factors, including the composition of your hand and the dealer’s up card. However, by following some basic guidelines and understanding the underlying logic behind different strategies, you can increase your chances of making smart decisions at the table.