Blackjack table

Hard 11 against a dealer 6 is a strong doubling opportunity. Doubling maximizes expected profit against the dealer's weak upcard.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer's 5. Hitting or doubling risks busting a made hand against a weak dealer upcard.

Hit hard 12 against the dealer’s 8. Standing is too weak against this upcard, and doubling has lower expected value than hitting.

Stand on soft 19 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Basic strategy favors keeping 19 over hitting or doubling.

With hard 16 against a dealer ten and no surrender available, hitting has a slightly better expected value than standing.

Double hard 10 against the dealer’s 8. This is the basic-strategy play and has higher expected value than hitting or standing.

Standing on 20 against a dealer 5 maximizes expected value under basic strategy. Splitting the kings sacrifices a strong made hand, while hitting or doubling risks busting.

Hit hard 13 against the dealer’s ace. Basic strategy favors improving this weak total rather than standing or doubling.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 13 against a dealer 7. Standing loses too often, while doubling adds risk with an unfavorable hand.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 16 against a dealer 7. Despite the bust risk, hitting has a higher expected return than standing.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer's 7. Hitting carries a high bust risk and has lower expected value than standing.

Splitting aces maximizes expected value against a dealer 6, turning soft 12 into two promising hands against a weak upcard.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Hitting or doubling has lower expected value because of the high risk of busting.

Basic strategy calls for standing on hard 12 against a dealer 6. The dealer's high bust risk makes standing better than hitting or doubling.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 3. Hitting or doubling has a high bust risk and lower expected value.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer's ten-value upcard. Hitting or doubling has a lower expected return because of the high risk of busting.

Basic strategy calls for hitting a pair of sevens against a dealer 9. Playing this as hard 14 has better expected value than standing, doubling, or splitting.

Hard 10 against a dealer 7 is a basic-strategy double. Increasing the wager here has higher expected value than hitting or standing.

Hit soft 14 against the dealer's ten-value jack. Standing is too weak, and hitting has a higher expected return than doubling.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 14 against a dealer ten-value upcard. Standing has a lower expected return despite the risk of busting on a hit.

Hit hard 16 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. With surrender unavailable, hitting offers 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, while 20 is already a strong hand.

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

Basic strategy stands on hard 15 against a dealer 2. Hitting risks busting and has a lower expected value than standing.

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