Blackjack table

An 11 is a strong doubling hand, and the dealer’s 4 is a weak upcard. Doubling maximizes value while keeping the dealer’s chance of busting in our favor.

Soft 14 is too weak to stand against a dealer 3, and basic strategy does not double this hand against a 3. Hit to improve while preserving the option to continue.

This is a hard 14 against the dealer’s 3. Basic strategy stands on hard 13–16 against dealer 2–6, relying on the dealer’s higher bust risk.

Stand on hard 16 against the dealer’s 5; the dealer’s bust risk makes standing preferable to drawing into a likely bust.

A total of 9 is not strong enough to double against the dealer’s 8; hitting offers the best chance to improve.

Hard 13 against a dealer 8 is too weak to stand; basic strategy calls for a hit.

A hard 15 is too weak to stand against the dealer’s 8; hitting gives the best chance to improve before the dealer likely makes a strong hand.

Hard 13 against a dealer 4 is a stand; the dealer has a strong chance to bust, while hitting risks busting my hand.

A hard 13 against the dealer’s 5 is a strong stand; the dealer has a significant chance to bust, while hitting risks busting myself.

A hard 10 is not strong enough to double against an ace; hitting preserves the chance to improve without increasing the bet against a strong dealer upcard.

A hard 19 is a strong total; hitting risks busting, and standing is optimal against an ace.

A hard 20 is a very strong hand, and the dealer’s 6 is a weak upcard. Hitting or doubling would risk giving up a likely advantage.

With a hard 15 against the dealer’s 5, basic strategy is to stand and let the dealer risk busting.

Hard 19 is strong enough to stand against an ace; hitting risks busting, and doubling is not worthwhile.

With a total of 8 against a dealer 2, hitting is the basic-strategy play. Splitting 4s is generally reserved for dealer 5 or 6, and doubling 8 is not advantageous here.

Stand on hard 17; hitting risks busting, and basic strategy stands against a dealer 2.

Soft 17 is a double against a dealer 4 under basic strategy; the dealer is in a weak position, and doubling maximizes expected value.

Split sevens against a dealer 7 under basic strategy, creating two hands with useful potential rather than playing a weak hard 14.

A hard 9 against a dealer 7 should be hit; doubling is generally favored only against weaker dealer upcards.

A hard 19 is strong against a dealer 7; hitting risks busting and offers little benefit.

Stand on soft 18 against the dealer’s 7; basic strategy favors standing against 2–8.

With 9 against the dealer’s 2, basic strategy favors hitting rather than doubling; the dealer’s weak upcard is not enough to make doubling profitable.

A hard 19 is strong, and hitting risks busting without a meaningful upside. Stand and let the dealer play out the hand.

A hard 10 is a strong doubling hand against a dealer 2; doubling maximizes expected value here.

Hard 18 is a strong total, and the dealer’s 5 upcard makes a bust likely. Standing avoids risking a good hand by drawing or doubling.

A hard 16 should stand against the dealer’s 6, since the dealer is likely to bust and hitting risks busting my hand.

A hard 17 against a dealer 10 should stand; hitting risks busting, and doubling is not appropriate.