Blackjack table

Basic strategy calls for standing on hard 13 against a dealer 3. Hitting risks busting, while the dealer's weak upcard favors letting them draw.

Split the pair of eights against the dealer's 6. This replaces a weak hard 16 with two stronger starting hands against a vulnerable dealer upcard.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer's 6. Hitting risks busting, while the dealer's weak upcard makes standing the highest-value basic-strategy play.

Stand on hard 13 against the dealer's 6, following basic strategy. The dealer's weak upcard makes standing preferable to risking a bust by hitting.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 13 against a dealer ace. Standing is more likely to lose, and doubling would risk an additional bet on a weak hand.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 9. Keeping this strong total has higher expected value than splitting or risking a bust.

Hit soft 17 against the dealer's ten-value upcard. Standing is too weak, and doubling is unfavorable against this strong upcard.

Hit hard 14 against the dealer's queen. Basic strategy favors hitting because standing against a ten-value upcard has a lower expected return.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s ace. Splitting or drawing would reduce the value of this strong hand.

Basic strategy calls for standing on hard 13 against a dealer 3. Hitting risks busting, while the dealer's weak upcard favors letting the dealer draw.

Double hard 11 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard; this is the basic-strategy play with the highest expected return under these rules.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 14 against a dealer ten-value upcard. Standing has a lower expected return, and doubling would increase exposure on a weak hand.

Hit hard 15 against the dealer's ten-value upcard. With surrender unavailable, hitting has a higher expected return than standing.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer's ten-value upcard. Hitting carries a high bust risk and has lower expected value.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer's 6. Keeping this strong hand has higher expected value than splitting tens or risking a bust.

Soft 14 against a dealer 2 should be hit under basic strategy. Standing is too weak, and doubling is not favorable against this upcard.

Stand on hard 13 against the dealer’s 2, as recommended by basic strategy. Hitting risks busting and has lower expected value.

Split 6s against the dealer's 6 under basic strategy. This improves expected value by replacing a hard 12 with two hands against a weak dealer upcard.

Basic strategy for six-deck blackjack calls for hitting hard 8 against a dealer 6. Doubling is not profitable enough compared with retaining the option to draw again.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s 6. Hitting risks busting a strong hand while the dealer has a weak upcard.

Basic strategy for six-deck blackjack is to hit hard 8 against a dealer 6. Doubling is not favorable enough at this total.

Stand on hard 12 against the dealer’s 6. Basic strategy favors letting the dealer risk busting rather than taking another card.

Double hard 11 against the dealer’s 4: this is a strong advantage spot, and doubling maximizes expected profit.

Hit soft 14 against the dealer’s 8. Basic strategy favors improving this weak total rather than standing or doubling.

Stand on soft 19 against the dealer’s 8. Keeping 19 has higher expected value than hitting under these rules.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 12 against a dealer 2 in multi-deck blackjack. Hitting has a higher expected return than standing or doubling.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s 5. Keeping this strong total is better than risking a bust, especially against a weak dealer upcard.

With double after split allowed, basic strategy splits a pair of 2s against a dealer 2. This offers better expected value than playing the hard 4.

Double hard 10 against the dealer’s 2 to maximize expected value. Doubling after a split is allowed, and this is a favorable matchup.

Hit hard 7 against the dealer’s 2. The total is too low to stand or double profitably, and drawing cannot bust this hand.

Stand on soft 18 against the dealer’s 2 under the stand-on-soft-17 rules. Hitting has lower expected value in this situation.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 7. Hitting or doubling risks busting and has lower expected value.

Basic strategy calls for standing on hard 12 against a dealer 4. Avoiding the risk of busting is preferable against this weak dealer upcard.

Hit hard 14 against the dealer’s 9. Standing is more likely to lose, and doubling would add risk to a weak hand.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 15 against a dealer 9. Standing is less favorable against the dealer’s strong upcard.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s 9. Hitting risks busting and has a lower expected return than standing.