Blackjack table

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

Basic strategy calls for standing on hard 12 against a dealer 5. The dealer's weak upcard makes standing preferable to risking a bust by hitting.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 4. Hitting or doubling risks busting a made hand, while the dealer’s weak upcard favors standing.

Doubling hard 10 against a dealer 7 is the basic-strategy play and maximizes expected profit.

Hit hard 7 against the dealer's 10. There is no risk of busting on this draw, and doubling would commit extra chips with a weak hand.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s ten. Hitting has a high bust risk and a lower expected return.

Hit hard 6 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. There is no risk of busting on this draw, and doubling would commit extra chips with a weak hand.

Hit hard 9 against the dealer's queen. Another card cannot bust this hand, and hitting has higher expected value than standing.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Hitting risks busting far more often than improving this strong total.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Hitting or doubling has a lower expected return because of the high risk of busting.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 12 against a dealer 3. Hitting has a slightly better expected return than standing.

With hard 16 against a dealer ace and no surrender available, hitting has a higher expected return than standing. Doubling would increase exposure on an unfavorable hand.

Stand on hard 13 against the dealer’s 6. Basic strategy favors avoiding the risk of busting while the dealer has a weak upcard.

Hit a pair of 3s against a dealer 8. Basic strategy favors drawing rather than splitting, and a total of 6 cannot bust on the next card.

Hit hard 14 against the dealer’s 8. Standing has a lower expected return because the dealer is likely to finish with a stronger total.

Hit hard 12 against the dealer’s ten-value jack. Basic strategy favors hitting over standing, doubling, or splitting sixes against this upcard.

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

Basic strategy stands on hard 12 against a dealer 6. The dealer’s high bust risk makes standing preferable to hitting or doubling.

Double hard 9 against the dealer’s 6. Basic strategy favors increasing the wager against this weak upcard.