As a professional in the field of card games, specifically in blackjack, I can provide you with a detailed explanation of what a "soft 13" is. Blackjack, also known as 21, is a popular casino banking game where the objective is to have a hand value that is closer to 21 than that of the dealer's hand, without exceeding 21.

In blackjack, a "soft hand" is a term used to describe a hand that includes an ace, which can be counted as either 1 or 11, depending on which value gives the player a better hand. The flexibility of the ace's value is what makes the hand "soft," as it allows for more strategic options in gameplay.

A "soft 13" specifically refers to a hand that contains an ace and a card with a value of 2. Here's why:


1. Ace as 1: If the ace is counted as 1, the hand would be 1 (ace) + 2 (value of the second card) = 3.

2. Ace as 11: If the ace is counted as 11, the hand would be 11 (ace) + 2 (value of the second card) = 13.

So, in a soft 13, you have the option to treat the ace as either 1 or 11, which can be advantageous depending on the dealer's showing card and the remaining cards in the deck.

Understanding soft hands is crucial in blackjack because it allows players to make more informed decisions. For example, a player with a soft 13 might choose to hit (take another card) because the ace can be counted as 11, giving them a total of 13, which is a relatively safe hand to improve upon. However, if the ace were counted as 1, the player would have a very weak hand of 3, which would be a poor position to be in.

It's also important to note that not all hands with an ace are considered soft. For instance, if you have an ace and a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King), this is not a soft hand because the ace cannot be counted as 1 without busting (going over 21). This would be considered a hard hand, specifically a hard 21, which is the best possible hand in blackjack.

In summary, a soft 13 in blackjack is a hand that includes an ace and a 2, giving the player the flexibility to count the ace as either 1 or 11. This strategic advantage can significantly impact the player's decisions and the outcome of the game.

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A soft blackjack hand is any hand of two cards which contains an ace. The following would be examples of soft hands: A-2 = Soft 13. A-3 = Soft 14. A-4 = Soft 15.read more >>