Decision Library
Soft 13 vs dealer 4 · six decks · dealer stands on soft 17 · double after split allowed
Correct play
HitYou keep a positive expectation of +0.105 per unit here, and hitting beats doubling by 0.036 per unit.
Deals soft 13 (Ace-2) against a dealer 4 in the trainer, graded live.
Per unit bet, six decks, dealer stands on soft 17, computed by the engine.
| Option | EV / unit | vs. best |
|---|---|---|
| HitBest | +0.105 | — |
| Double | +0.068 | -0.036 |
| Stand | -0.206 | -0.311 |
| Surrender | -0.500 | -0.605 |
Soft 13 is too low to leave alone against a 4. Standing surrenders the hand to a dealer who reaches a pat total most of the time, so you take the card. Your bust risk on the hit is 0.0%, and against this upcard that risk is worth accepting.
Hitting returns +0.105 per unit versus -0.206 for standing, a +0.311 swing in favor of taking the card.
It is tempting to stand on 13 and hope the dealer busts, but against a 4 that hope is too thin. Standing costs 0.311 per unit versus the correct hitting. Over a few hundred of these hands, that is real money handed back.
Same hand, different table conditions. The correct play holds unless noted.
| Table condition | Correct play |
|---|---|
| 6 decks, stands soft 17 (baseline) | Hit |
| 6 decks, hits soft 17 | Hit |
| Single deck, stands soft 17 | Double changes |
| Double deck, stands soft 17 | Hit |
| No surrender offered | Hit |
The correct play changes under: Single deck, stands soft 17. Everywhere else, hit holds. Use the row that matches your table.
Strategy and expected values from a combinatorial engine validated against Wizard of Odds.