Soft 18 vs Dealer 8
Basic strategy says stand. Here's what the math looks like across common rule sets.
Want to see this play out across 100,000 hands?
Configure the exact rules and bet spread in the simulator.
Run Simulation → Configure the exact rules and bet spread in the simulator.
Why Stand Is Correct
Soft 18 is already a strong made hand against dealer 8 (23.9% bust rate). Drawing risks dropping to a weaker total without enough upside to justify it. Stand and let the dealer make their hand — or not.
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 | Stand |