Blackjack table

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 13 against a dealer ace. Standing is too weak, and doubling adds risk in an unfavorable matchup.

Hit hard 14 against the dealer's ace. Basic strategy favors hitting because standing is more likely to lose against this strong upcard.

Hit hard 9 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Basic strategy favors drawing rather than standing or doubling against this strong upcard.

This three-card hard 16 contains both a 4 and a 5, making standing slightly better than hitting against the dealer’s ten-value upcard under composition-dependent strategy.

Hit hard 16 against the dealer’s 7. With surrender unavailable, hitting has a higher expected value than standing or doubling.

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

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s king. Hitting or doubling carries a high bust risk and reduces expected value.

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

Basic strategy calls for hitting soft 15 against a dealer 3. The ace makes taking another card safe, while doubling is not favorable against this upcard.

Soft 17 against a dealer 3 should be hit when doubling is unavailable. Taking another card cannot bust this hand and offers a chance to improve its value.

Basic strategy stands on hard 13 against a dealer 3. The dealer’s weak upcard makes standing preferable to risking a bust by hitting.

Hit hard 15 against the dealer's 9. With no surrender available, hitting has a better expected return than standing or doubling.

With hard 16 against a dealer ten and no surrender available, hitting is the basic-strategy play and has slightly better expected value than standing.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 7. Keeping this strong total has higher expected value than splitting tens or taking another card.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s 5. This strong total benefits from the dealer’s weak upcard, while hitting or doubling risks busting.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s ten. Hitting is far more likely to bust than improve the hand, and doubling is unfavorable.

Double hard 11 against the dealer’s 7. This is the basic-strategy play with the highest expected chip return.

Basic strategy is to stand on hard 15 against a dealer 5, letting the dealer risk busting rather than taking a high-risk hit.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 12 against a dealer 10. Standing is too weak, and doubling adds risk without sufficient expected return.

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

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 8. Hitting or doubling has a high bust risk and lower expected value.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 5. Keeping this strong hand has higher expected value than splitting tens, doubling, or hitting.