Blackjack table

Basic strategy calls for doubling hard 9 against a dealer 3. This increases the wager in a favorable situation and maximizes expected chip gain.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 16 against a dealer 7 when surrender is unavailable. Hitting has a higher expected return than standing or doubling.

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

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

Standing on 20 against a dealer 9 maximizes expected value. Splitting tens sacrifices a strong hand, while hitting or doubling risks a likely bust.

With hard 16 against a dealer ten-value card and no surrender available, basic strategy favors hitting over standing. Doubling would increase exposure on an unfavorable hand.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s king. Hitting risks busting too often and has lower expected value than standing.

Hit hard 15 against the dealer’s 10. With surrender unavailable, hitting has a higher expected value than standing or doubling.

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

Hit soft 17 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Drawing cannot immediately bust this hand and has higher expected value than standing or doubling.

Hit soft 18 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Basic strategy favors improving this hand over standing, and the next card cannot bust it.

Soft 20 is a strong total against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Standing has higher expected value than hitting.

Hit soft 15 against the dealer’s 7. Standing is too weak, and doubling is inferior to retaining the option to hit again.

Hit hard 15 against the dealer’s 7. Improving the hand has a higher expected value than standing, despite the risk of busting.

Standing on hard 20 maximizes expected value against a dealer ten. Splitting tens sacrifices a strong hand, while hitting or doubling risks busting.

Hit hard 5 against the dealer’s 6. There is no risk of busting on this draw, and the total is too low to justify doubling.

A hard 7 cannot bust on the next card. Hitting has higher expected value than standing, even against the dealer's weak 6.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 6. Hitting risks busting a made hand, while the dealer’s weak upcard favors letting them draw.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 4. Keeping this strong hand has higher expected value than hitting, doubling, or splitting.

Basic strategy favors standing on hard 12 against a dealer 5. The dealer's high bust risk makes standing preferable to hitting or doubling.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 9. Keeping this strong hand has higher expected value than hitting, doubling, or splitting the queens.

Double hard 10 against the dealer’s 5. This favorable matchup makes doubling the highest expected-value play.

Basic strategy doubles hard 9 against a dealer 3. The dealer's weak upcard makes increasing the wager more profitable than simply hitting.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 12 against a dealer 3. Standing has a slightly lower expected return, and doubling is unfavorable.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 3. Hitting carries a high risk of busting and has lower expected value than standing.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer's 7. Keeping this strong hand has higher expected value than hitting, doubling, or splitting.