Hard 12 vs Dealer 8
Basic strategy says hit. Here's what the math looks like across common rule sets.
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Why Hit Is Correct
Hard 12 against dealer 8 looks like a trap — hitting busts a lot, but standing is worse. Dealer 8 only busts 23.9% of the time, which means the other ~76% of outcomes you'd lose outright by standing. Hitting and bettering to 17+ is the less bad option.
How the Play Changes Under Different Rules
The correct play is consistent across every common rule set for this hand.
| Rule Set | Best Play |
|---|---|
| 6-deck · H17 · no surrender | Hit |