How to Play a 13 Hand in Blackjack
Playing a 13 in blackjack isn’t always straightforward. Your best move depends on the dealer’s upcard and how well you understand basic strategy. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what to do in situations such as blackjack 13 vs 2 and blackjack 13 vs 3.
The different variations of a 13 hand you could receive
In blackjack, a hand worth 13 can come from many card combinations. You might be dealt a 10 and a 3, a 9 and a 4, or an 8 and a 5. Other possibilities include a 7 and a 6 or a face card paired with a 3. Here are all the possible pairs and whether they’re hard or soft:
- 10 and 3 (hard)
- 9 and 4 (hard)
- 8 and 5 (hard)
- 7 and 6 (hard)
- Face card (king, queen or jack) and 3 (hard)
- Ace and 2 (soft)
Each combination plays out differently depending on the dealer’s upcard. The soft hand offer greater options as the ace can be used as an 11 or 1. Once you know these variations, it helps you decide whether to hit, stand or take another approach.
How to play a 13 hand for each scenario
When you’re holding a 13, what you do next depends on the dealer’s upcard. Here’s a brief overview of how to play, followed by the reasons why:
13 hand vs dealer’s 2
For a blackjack 13 hand vs a dealer’s 2: Stand.
When the dealer has a 2, they’re in a tough spot because they’ll likely need to draw multiple cards to reach a safe total. The more cards they draw in this 13 vs 2 case, the higher their chances of busting. If you stand at this point, you avoid risking your total and let the dealer take the next move.
Hitting here isn’t worth it. Drawing another card could easily push you over 21, costing you the hand. Standing with 13 is a smart defensive play that gives you a solid chance to come out ahead when the dealer’s upcard is this weak.
You can play more aggressively if you have a soft 13 and hit, as the ace can easily switch from 11 to a 1 to edge you closer to the important 21 total.
13 hand vs dealer’s 3
For a 13 hand vs a dealer’s 3: Stand.
A dealer showing a 3 is in a tricky position because they’ll often need to draw more cards to reach 17 or higher. This increases their chances of going bust. By standing, you keep your total safe and let the dealer take the risks.
If you hit during a 13 vs 3 blackjack, you risk going over 21, which would cost you the hand immediately. With the dealer already at a disadvantage, standing is the smarter play. It puts the odds in your favour without exposing you to unnecessary risks. However, a soft 13 hand offers more flexibility with the fluid ace, meaning you could hit and switch the ace to a 1 to get closer to 21.
13 hand vs dealer’s 4
For a 13 hand vs a dealer’s 4: Stand.
The dealer’s 4 is a weak card, meaning that they’re more likely to go bust after drawing more cards. Standing with your 13 avoids the risk of drawing a high card and going over 21. In this case, it’s better to let the dealer make the mistakes while you hold your position. Or, if you have a soft 13 hand, hit and aim for a better hand that may lead the dealer to hit and go bust.
13 hand vs dealer’s 5
For a 13 hand vs a dealer’s 5: Stand.
A dealer showing a 5 is in a tough spot. They’ll likely need to draw multiple cards to reach 17 or higher, which increases their chances of going bust. By standing, you keep your total safe and let the dealer take the risk.
Hitting a 13 here isn’t worth it unless you have a soft hand. You’re more likely to go over 21 than improve your hand. Stick to the basics, stand and let the dealer’s weak upcard work to your advantage.
13 hand vs dealer’s 6
For a 13 hand vs a dealer’s 6: Stand.
A dealer showing a 6 is in a tough spot. As they need to draw more cards to reach at least 17, the chances of them busting are much higher. By standing, you keep your total safe and let the dealer handle the risks.
Hitting with 13 here isn’t worth it. Taking another card could push you over 21, which is an unnecessary risk when the dealer is already at a disadvantage. Basic strategy recommends standing in this scenario because it gives you the best chance of winning.
Letting the dealer play their weak hand is often the smarter move. With a 6, they’re more likely to bust, which works in your favour. Standing here keeps you in control and avoids turning a strong position into a losing one.
13 hand vs dealer’s 7
For a 13 hand vs a dealer’s 7: Hit.
When the dealer shows a 7, they’re in a strong spot, aiming for a total of 17 or higher. Your 13 isn’t likely to win against that, so hitting is your best option. Drawing a lower-value card could bring you closer to 21 and improve your chances.
Standing with 13 in this situation puts you at risk of losing, as the dealer is likely to pass your total. By hitting, you give yourself the opportunity to build a stronger hand. Even if you don’t reach 21, getting closer puts you in a better position to compete.
A soft hand can help as you have the ability to change the ace from an 11 to a 1 meaning you can hit a couple of times to edge over the dealer’s hand.
Hitting here follows basic blackjack strategy and helps you stay in the game. The goal is to boost your total while keeping the risk of busting as low as possible. Play carefully and aim to improve your hand.