Blackjack table

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 8 against a dealer 2. You cannot bust on the next card, and doubling is less profitable than hitting.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s 2. Hitting carries a high bust risk and has lower expected value than standing.

Hit hard 8 against the dealer’s 8. Basic strategy favors improving this total rather than standing, doubling, or splitting the pair of fours.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s 8. Hitting risks busting and has lower expected value than standing.

Hit hard 5 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. There is no risk of busting on the next card, and doubling would increase the stake on a weak hand.

Hit hard 13 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Standing has a lower expected return because the dealer is likely to finish with a stronger hand.

With hard 16 against a dealer ten-value card and no surrender available, basic strategy is to hit. It has a slightly better expected return than standing.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer's jack. Hitting would bust on every card except an ace, so standing maximizes expected return.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 14 against a dealer 9. Standing loses more on average, while doubling risks an additional bet on a weak total.

Stand on hard 17 against a dealer 9. Hitting has a high bust risk and a lower expected return than standing.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 12 against a dealer 3 in six-deck blackjack. Hitting has a higher expected value than standing or doubling.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 3. Hitting would almost always bust, while 20 is already a strong winning total.

Stand on soft 19 against the dealer's ten-value upcard. Keeping 19 has higher expected value than hitting or doubling.

Hit hard 13 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Basic strategy favors hitting over standing or doubling in this unfavorable matchup.

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

Hit hard 16 against the dealer’s 7. With no surrender available, hitting has a higher expected return than standing or doubling.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 15 against a dealer ace when surrender is unavailable. Standing is less favorable, and doubling would risk extra chips on a weak hand.

Hit hard 8 against the dealer’s ace. There is no risk of busting on this draw, and doubling is inferior against this strong upcard.

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

Doubling hard 10 against a dealer 4 maximizes expected value under basic strategy, taking advantage of the dealer's weak upcard.

Basic strategy calls for hitting soft 14 against a dealer 4. The ace prevents busting on this draw, while doubling is less profitable than retaining the option to hit again.

Stand on hard 14 against the dealer's 4. The dealer's weak upcard makes standing preferable to risking a bust by hitting.

Hit hard 15 against the dealer’s 9. With no surrender available, hitting has a higher expected return than standing or doubling.