Hard 13 vs Dealer 2: Hit or Stand?
Stand, under every common rule set.
Why stand is right
The dealer 2 is deceptively strong - it busts only about 35% of the time, not the 'dealer's ace' myth some players believe. Even so, with 13 your bust risk when hitting (any 9 or higher hurts you) outweighs the gain, so you stand and let the dealer take the bust risk. This is the bottom edge of the 'stand on 13-16 against 2-6' rule.
How the rules change the answer
This one is easy to memorize - the play doesn't change with the table rules.
| Table rules (6 decks) | Correct play |
|---|---|
| S17 · late surrender offered | Stand |
| S17 · no surrender | Stand |
| H17 · late surrender offered | Stand |
| H17 · no surrender | Stand |
🃏 Card counter's note
At True Count -1 or lower, counters hit 13 vs 2 - a low-card-rich shoe makes your hit safer and the dealer's hand stronger.
Common questions
What is the correct play for hard 13 against a dealer 2?
Stand. In a standard 6-deck game where the dealer stands on soft 17 and late surrender is offered, basic strategy says to stand. This play holds under every common rule variation.
Does the dealer hitting soft 17 (H17) change the play for hard 13 vs a dealer 2?
No. Stand is correct whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17, and whether or not surrender is offered.
When should card counters play hard 13 vs a dealer 2 differently?
At True Count -1 or lower, counters hit 13 vs 2 - a low-card-rich shoe makes your hit safer and the dealer's hand stronger.
Reading charts doesn't build reflexes. Drill this exact decision until it's automatic - our trainer deals from a real 6-deck shoe and grades every move.
Practice This in the Trainer →