Blackjack table

Hit hard 7 against the dealer’s 2. The hand is too weak to stand or double, and drawing cannot bust it.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer's 2. Hitting carries a high bust risk and has lower expected value than standing.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 12 against a dealer 10. Standing is less favorable, and doubling would increase exposure on a weak hand.

Hit hard 13 against the dealer's 10. Standing is less favorable than taking another card against this strong upcard.

Treat the pair of fives as hard 10. Against a dealer ace in a six-deck game, hitting has better expected value than doubling, splitting, or standing.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 14 against a dealer ace. Standing has a worse expected return despite the risk of busting.

Basic strategy stands on hard 16 against a dealer 3. The dealer's weak upcard makes standing preferable to risking a bust by hitting.

A hard 20 is a strong hand against the dealer's ten-value upcard. Standing maximizes expected value; hitting, doubling, or splitting would weaken this position.

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

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s king. Hitting or doubling risks busting and has lower expected value.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 15 against a dealer 7. Standing has a lower expected return, and doubling would increase exposure on a weak hand.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 7. This is a strong total, and hitting would overwhelmingly risk a bust.

Hit hard 5 against the dealer's 9. There is no risk of busting on this draw, and doubling is unfavorable with such a low total.

Hit hard 12 against the dealer's 9. Standing is less favorable against this strong upcard, so drawing has the higher expected value.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 16 against a dealer 7 when surrender is unavailable. Standing has a lower expected return despite the risk of busting.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer's 3. This strong total has better expected value than risking a bust by hitting or doubling.

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

Stand on hard 16 against the dealer’s 5. The dealer has a weak upcard, and hitting risks busting more than it improves the hand.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s 2. Hitting or doubling risks busting a strong hand and has lower expected value.

Soft 19 against a dealer 9 is a stand under basic strategy. Hitting or doubling would reduce expected value.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 14 against a dealer 10. Standing has a lower expected return, and doubling is unfavorable.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s ten. Hitting has a high risk of busting and lower expected value than standing.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s 4. This strong total is best preserved, especially against a dealer upcard with a substantial bust risk.

Hit hard 13 against the dealer’s 9; basic strategy favors improving this weak total over standing or doubling.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer's 3. This strong total has better expected value than hitting or doubling, which risk busting.