Blackjack table

Hit hard 5 against the dealer's 7. Drawing cannot bust this hand, and doubling would commit extra chips with too weak a starting total.

Hit soft 16 against the dealer’s 7. The ace provides flexibility, so another card cannot immediately bust this hand and improves expected value over standing.

Basic strategy calls for standing on soft 18 against a dealer 7; hitting has lower expected value.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 10 against a dealer ace in a six-deck game with the dealer standing on soft 17. Doubling is less profitable against this strong upcard.

Hit hard 7 against the dealer’s 6. The hand is too low to stand or double profitably, and hitting cannot bust.

Hit hard 11 against the dealer’s 6: another card cannot bust this hand and offers a strong chance to improve. Doubling is unavailable with three cards.

Double hard 11 against the dealer’s 8. This is the basic-strategy play and maximizes expected profit.

Hit hard 16 against the dealer’s 9. With surrender unavailable, hitting has a better expected return than standing or doubling.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer's 4. This strong total has favorable odds, while taking another card carries a high risk of busting.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 15 against a dealer 7. Standing has a lower expected return, and doubling is unfavorable.

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

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 15 against a dealer ten-value upcard when surrender is unavailable. Hitting has a better expected return than standing or doubling.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s 7. This strong total has better expected value than hitting or doubling, both of which carry a high risk of busting.

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 7. This is a strong hand, and hitting, doubling, or splitting would reduce expected value.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Keeping this strong total is better than risking a bust or splitting the ten-value cards.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 16 against a dealer ten-value card when surrender is unavailable. Hitting has a slightly better expected return than standing.

Double hard 11 against the dealer's 4: this is a favorable basic-strategy opportunity to increase the bet while drawing toward a strong total.

With a hard 10 against the dealer’s ten, basic strategy favors hitting rather than doubling. Hitting preserves the option to draw again if the next card leaves a weak total.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer's ten. Hitting would almost always bust and has much lower expected value.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 8. Hitting or doubling has a worse expected return because of the high risk of busting.

Split 4s against a dealer 5 when doubling after splitting is allowed. This creates two hands that can capitalize on the dealer’s weak upcard.

Resplit the pair of fours against the dealer’s 5. With double after split allowed, splitting has higher expected value than playing hard 8.

Hit hard 7 against the dealer's 5. The hand is too low to stand, and doubling is not favorable at this total.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 5. Hitting risks busting a strong enough total against a weak dealer upcard.

Stand on hard 12 against the dealer's 5. The dealer's weak upcard makes standing preferable to risking a bust by hitting.

Double hard 9 against the dealer’s 5, as basic strategy recommends. Doubling after a split is allowed, and this favorable matchup warrants the extra bet.