Blackjack table

Hit hard 12 against the dealer’s 8. Basic strategy favors improving this weak total rather than standing or doubling.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer's 8. Hitting risks busting a strong hand and has lower expected value.

Stand on hard 15 against the dealer’s 6. The dealer’s weak upcard makes standing better than risking a bust by hitting.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s king. Hitting or doubling has lower expected value because of the high bust risk.

Double hard 11 against the dealer’s 4 to maximize expected value. A strong drawing hand and a weak dealer upcard make this a favorable opportunity to increase the bet.

Hit hard 8 against the dealer’s 10. Drawing cannot bust this hand, and doubling against a strong upcard has lower expected value.

Hit hard 16 against the dealer’s ten. With surrender unavailable, hitting is the preferred play for this hand composition.

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

Hit soft 13 against the dealer's 7. Basic strategy favors improving this weak total rather than standing or doubling.

Hit soft 16 against the dealer's 7, as basic strategy recommends. The ace can count as 1, so the next card cannot bust this hand.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 15 against a dealer 7. Standing is less favorable, and doubling would increase the stake on a weak hand.

Stand on hard 14 against the dealer’s 6, following basic strategy. The dealer’s weak upcard makes standing preferable to risking a bust by hitting.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 12 against a dealer 3 in this multi-deck game. Standing has a slightly lower expected return.

Hit hard 7 against the dealer’s 9. Drawing cannot bust this hand, and doubling is unfavorable against a strong dealer upcard.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 9. Hitting risks busting and has lower expected value than standing.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 14 against a dealer 10. Standing loses more often, while doubling adds risk to an unfavorable hand.

Hit hard 13 against the dealer's ace; standing has a worse expected return, and doubling would increase exposure on a weak hand.

Hit hard 12 against the dealer’s 9. Standing is unfavorable against a strong upcard, and doubling is not justified.

Hit hard 12 against the dealer's ten-value upcard. Standing is less favorable, and doubling would increase exposure on a weak hand.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer's ten-value upcard. Hitting carries a high risk of busting and lowers expected value.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer's 7. Keeping this strong hand has higher expected value than hitting, doubling, or splitting the ten-value cards.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 7. Keeping this strong total has higher expected value than hitting, doubling, or splitting.

Hit hard 5 against the dealer's ace. Drawing cannot bust this hand, and doubling on such a low total is unfavorable.

Hit hard 15 against the dealer’s ace. With surrender unavailable, hitting has a better expected return than standing.

Hit hard 5 against the dealer’s 3. The hand cannot bust on the next card, and doubling this low total is unfavorable.

Basic strategy calls for standing on hard 14 against a dealer 3. Hitting risks busting, while the dealer's weak upcard favors letting them complete their hand.

Hit hard 7 against the dealer’s 4. Basic strategy favors improving this low total; doubling is not profitable here.

Stand on hard 16 against the dealer's 4, following basic strategy. The dealer's weak upcard makes standing preferable to risking a bust.