Soft 12?

The basic strategy seems to be lacking advice for a soft 12 (Ace Ace). Obviously you're supposed to split aces, but if you reach the limit and still have 2 aces what do you do?

A soft 12 produced by splitting or resplitting aces cannot be hit or doubled-down. Therefore, the player has no decision to make on that final soft 12. However, in Spanish 21, the player would hit that final soft 12 and perhaps double-down upon reaching soft 17 or soft 18.

I think the question is when you have split a's to the limit and get AA on that last split ace. You have a soft 12, but also two. HIT 2 for sure, and then go from there.

You are basically right, but most games won't let you hit after splitting aces.

Quote: bobbles

The basic strategy seems to be lacking advice for a soft 12 (Ace Ace). Obviously you're supposed to split aces, but if you reach the limit and still have 2 aces what do you do?

Handle a double-based AA soft hand like a single-ace soft hand if you can't split off another ace, or are out of split-the-hand money.

Soft 17 and less, always hit, soft 18 hit against a 9 or better, soft 19 stay or double on first two cards against a dealer's 4, 5 or 6.

What many players do is look at a soft hand as the lowest value it can make if 17 or less: treat as hard 7 or less, knowing then to hit...a soft 16 against a 6 or less is not like a hard 16; one case it's a free hit, another you gotta stay.

I remember coming across this situation when I played a variation of Blackjack that allows splitting only once but does allow hitting and doubling down after splitting aces, like after any pair. The strategy chart showed what to do with A,2 but it didn't include an entry for what to with A,A when splitting is not anymore an option.

Am I correct to assume that if the strategy chart says to double down on A,2 vs. 6 then this would also be the correct decision for A,A vs. 6? (6 Decks, Dealer Stands soft 17, 6-card charlie)

Quote: Jufo81

I assume that if the strategy chart says to double down A,2 vs. 6 then this would also be the correct decision for A,A vs. 6?

*warning, crap math coming*
Here's how I'd look at it: 10-K (4 cards) firm the hand up to where you wouldn't hit but would be <17. 6-9 (4 cards) firm the hand up to where you'd be >17. A-4 (4 cards) make soft hands <17, where you'd like to hit again. 5 (1 card) makes 17 on the double. That 17 is soft, so you could hit it. But it's also 17. I'd rather have a doubled 17 against a 6 than have a soft 17 to hit in the same situation, so I'd double.

Hmm ok thanks, but I'd prefer numbers more than intuition. I forgot to mention that the game in question also has a 6-card charlie rule which could potentially favor hitting as A,A initial hand could have a decent shot of making 6-card unbusted hand.