Free Blackjack / What is a stiff in blackjack?
What is a stiff in blackjack?
A stiff is a hard hand of 12 to 16: too low to win often, and one card can bust it. It is the hand you get most and like least.
Why it's a stiff
Any card worth 10 busts a 12, and there are more 10s in the deck than any other value. The higher the stiff, the more cards bust it.
| Your hand | Cards that bust it | Bust chance if you hit |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 10, J, Q, K | 31% |
| 13 | 9 and up | 38% |
| 14 | 8 and up | 46% |
| 15 | 7 and up | 54% |
| 16 | 6 and up | 62% |
A soft hand is never a stiff. Ace and 5 is soft 16: the ace drops to 1 if you need it, so one card can't bust it.
Hit or stand on a stiff?
Look at the dealer's upcard, not just your total.
- Dealer shows 2 to 6: stand on 13 to 16. Let the dealer take the risk. Stand on 12 against a 4, 5 or 6, and hit 12 against a 2 or 3.
- Dealer shows 7 to ace: hit every stiff. The dealer will likely finish with 17 or more, and a stiff that stands only wins if the dealer busts.
- Surrender, where the table offers it, on 16 against a 9, 10 or ace, and 15 against a 10.
- A pair of 8s is 16, but split it instead.
The full chart is free at blackjackcheatsheet.app.
The dealer's stiffs
A dealer 2 to 6 upcard is a likely dealer stiff, because the dealer has to hit to 17. How often the dealer busts, 6 decks, dealer stands on 17, after checking for blackjack:
| Dealer shows | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dealer busts | 35% | 37% | 40% | 42% | 42% | 26% | 23% | 17% |
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Questions
What hands are stiffs in blackjack?
Hard 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Soft hands, with an ace counted as 11, are not stiffs.
Should you hit a stiff?
Hit when the dealer shows 7 through ace. Stand when the dealer shows 2 through 6, except hit 12 against a 2 or 3.
What is the worst stiff?
16 against a dealer 10. Surrender it where you can; otherwise hit.
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