Blackjack table

Hard 20 versus a dealer 5 is a made hand; standing is the clear basic-strategy play, while hitting, doubling, or splitting tens would only risk a winning total.

Hard 13 versus a dealer king is a clear hit under basic strategy; standing loses too often and doubling is not justified.

Hard 17 against a dealer king is a stand; hitting risks busting and is worse than letting the dealer play.

Hard 17 versus a dealer 9 is a clear stand; hitting or doubling risks busting a made hand.

Hard 20 against a dealer King is a clear stand; hitting or doubling risks busting a strong hand, and splitting tens is a large negative-EV deviation.

Hard 12 versus a dealer King is a hit under basic strategy; standing loses too often to a made 17–21 and doubling is negative EV.

Hard 14 against a dealer king is a clear hit under basic strategy, since standing loses to any dealer total of 17 or higher.

Hard 15 against a dealer King is a hit under basic strategy; standing loses too often to a made dealer hand.

Hard 20 against a dealer 3 is a strong made hand; standing avoids busting and is the clear basic-strategy play.

Two aces should always be split; each ace starts a strong new hand against the dealer's queen, and standing or hitting a soft 12 is much weaker.

Hard 15 against a dealer 10 loses if I stand more often than not, and doubling is far too risky. Hitting is the basic-strategy play.

Hard 16 against a dealer King is a basic-strategy hit; standing loses too often to a made 17–21.

Hard 18 versus a dealer King is a clear stand; hitting risks busting a strong made hand.

Hard 14 versus a dealer 10 is a clear hit under basic strategy; standing loses too often and doubling is too risky.

Hard 16 versus a dealer 10 is a hit under basic strategy; standing loses too often to the dealer's likely strong total.

Hard 19 is a strong made hand against a dealer jack, and hitting risks busting a likely winner.

Hard 11 against a dealer 3 is a clear double: the extra bet is justified because the next card often makes a strong total and the dealer is vulnerable.

Hard 16 versus a dealer 10 is a clear hit under basic strategy; standing loses too often and doubling is too risky.

Hard 14 versus a dealer queen is a hit under basic strategy; standing loses too often and doubling is negative EV.

Soft 17 versus a dealer 3 is a basic-strategy double: the ace gives room to improve, and doubling maximizes expected value against a weak upcard.

Hard 12 versus a dealer 10 is a hit under basic strategy; standing loses too often and doubling is negative EV.

Hard 13 against a dealer 10 loses if I stand unless the dealer busts, so basic strategy is to hit.

Hard 19 against a dealer jack is a strong made hand; hitting risks busting and standing is the clear basic-strategy play.

Hard 11 versus an Ace is a standard double after the dealer peek rules out blackjack; the extra bet maximizes expected value.

Hard 20 against an ace is a strong made hand; standing is the clear basic-strategy play, while hitting, doubling, or splitting tens would only risk a winning total.

Hard 13 against a dealer 8 is a standard hit; standing loses too often and doubling is not justified on this total.

Hard 17 against a dealer 8 is a clear stand; hitting busts on most cards and has negative expected value.

Hard 17 versus a dealer 7 should stand; hitting busts on most cards and doubling is even worse.

Hard 15 versus a dealer 2 is a stand in basic strategy; the dealer is weak and hitting risks busting a made hand.