Blackjack table

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 14 against a dealer 7. Standing is less favorable, and doubling adds risk without sufficient advantage.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 16 against a dealer 7. Despite the bust risk, hitting has a higher expected return than standing.

Hit hard 8 against the dealer’s 9. Taking another card has better expected value than standing or doubling.

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

Stand on hard 20 against a dealer 9. Keeping this strong total has higher expected value than hitting, doubling, or splitting the ten-value cards.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 7. Basic strategy favors standing because hitting or doubling risks busting without improving expected value.

Hit hard 10 against the dealer's ten-value upcard. Basic strategy favors hitting rather than doubling in this matchup.

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.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Hitting has a high risk of busting and lower expected value.

Basic strategy for six-deck blackjack recommends standing on soft 18 against a dealer 8. Hitting or doubling has lower expected value.

Double hard 11 against the dealer’s 5: this is a strong advantage situation, and doubling maximizes expected profit.

Basic strategy stands on hard 12 against a dealer 4 in this six-deck game. Standing has higher expected value than hitting or doubling against this weak upcard.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s 7. This strong total has better expected value than risking a bust by hitting or doubling.

Split the pair of eights against the dealer’s ten. With no surrender available, splitting has a better expected return than playing hard 16.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer's ten. Hitting or doubling has lower expected value because of the high risk of busting.

Hit hard 12 against the dealer's 10. Standing is too weak against this upcard, and doubling would increase exposure on an unfavorable hand.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s ten. Hitting carries too much bust risk and has lower expected value.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 15 against a dealer 8. Standing is less favorable, and doubling risks an additional bet on a weak total.

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

Hit hard 13 against the dealer's 10-value upcard. Basic strategy favors hitting because standing has a lower expected return against this strong upcard.

Hit hard 14 against the dealer's king. With surrender unavailable, hitting has a better expected return than standing against a ten-value upcard.

Basic strategy doubles soft 17 against a dealer 6. The ace limits bust risk, and doubling capitalizes on the dealer’s weak upcard.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s ace. Hitting or doubling risks busting a strong hand and has lower expected value.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 3. Basic strategy favors standing because hitting risks busting and the dealer has a weak upcard.

Hit hard 8 against the dealer's 10. Improving this weak total without doubling is the best basic-strategy play.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s 10. Hitting has a high bust risk and lower expected value than standing.