Explicitly mentioning Hash hint to joins

How do I know where to use Hash hint join explicitly? How does sometimes query optimizer gets tricked and appl开发者_开发问答ies a hint which sometimes affects performance?

Personally, I've never used a join hint in. Ever.

They are only good for the data and statistics you have at that time. Where I have seen them used is to try and mask poor design or poor indexing or a poor query construct. A hash join isn't bad in itself

Can you update to show the query where you think you need a join hint please? And we can suggest other solutions...