Blackjack table

Hit a hard 4 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Splitting twos against a ten is unfavorable, and hitting cannot bust this hand.

Hit hard 8 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Another card cannot bust this hand, and standing has a much lower expected return.

Hit hard 11 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. You cannot bust on this draw, and doubling is not legal.

Hit soft 15 against the dealer’s ace. Basic strategy favors improving this weak total rather than standing or doubling against a strong upcard.

Hit soft 17 against the dealer’s ace. Standing is weak here, and taking another card cannot immediately bust this hand.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s ace. Under these rules, hitting has lower expected value because of the high risk of busting.

Doubling hard 10 against a dealer 6 maximizes expected value: the dealer has a weak upcard, and one more card gives a strong chance of a winning total.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 3. Hitting or doubling risks busting and has lower expected value.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 15 against a dealer 7. Standing is less favorable, and doubling would add risk on a weak total.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 10 against a dealer ten. Doubling is less profitable against this strong upcard.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s 10. Hitting has a high risk of busting and lowers expected value.

Basic strategy recommends standing on hard 13 against a dealer 2. Hitting risks busting, while standing benefits from the dealer's chance of busting.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Keeping this strong hand has a higher expected return than hitting, doubling, or splitting.

Hit hard 7 against the dealer's 4. The total is too low to stand or double, and drawing cannot bust this hand.

Basic strategy calls for standing on hard 12 against a dealer 4. Letting the dealer draw offers a better expected return than risking a bust by hitting.

Hit on hard 6 against the dealer’s 10-value upcard. There is no risk of busting on this draw, and doubling is unfavorable.

Hit hard 8 against the dealer’s king. You cannot bust on the next card, and standing gives up the chance to improve a weak total.

Hit hard 13 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Standing has a lower expected value because the dealer is likely to finish with a stronger total.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 9. Hitting risks busting too often, and standing is the basic-strategy choice.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer's 2. This strong total is best preserved; hitting or doubling carries a high risk of busting.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s king. Keeping this strong total has higher expected value than hitting, doubling, or splitting.

Soft 19 should stand against a dealer ten-value upcard under six-deck basic strategy. Hitting or doubling has lower expected value.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 4. Hitting risks busting a strong total, while the dealer’s weak upcard favors standing.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 6. Keeping this strong hand has higher expected value than splitting, doubling, or hitting.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s 5. The dealer has a weak upcard, and hitting or doubling would risk busting a strong hand.

Basic strategy calls for hitting soft 18 against a dealer ten-value card. The ace provides flexibility, and hitting has a better expected return than standing or doubling.

Hit hard 16 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. With surrender unavailable, hitting has a slightly better expected return than standing.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer's king. Hitting has a high risk of busting and lowers expected value.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 12 against a dealer 2. Standing has a lower expected return, and doubling is unfavorable.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer's 2. Hitting carries a very high bust risk and would reduce expected value.