Blackjack table

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 14 against a dealer 10. Standing has a lower expected return, and doubling would increase exposure on a weak hand.

Stand on hard 16 against a dealer 6. The dealer's high bust risk makes standing preferable to risking a bust by hitting or doubling.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s 8. Basic strategy favors standing because hitting or doubling has lower expected value.

Hit hard 9 against the dealer’s ace. Drawing cannot bust this hand, and doubling against an ace is inferior to hitting.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s ace. Hitting carries a high bust risk and has lower expected value than standing.

Basic strategy favors hitting hard 12 against a dealer 2; standing has a lower expected return, and doubling risks extra chips on a weak hand.

Hit hard 9 against the dealer’s king. Drawing cannot bust this hand, and hitting has better expected value than standing or doubling.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer's king. Hitting carries a very high bust risk and lowers expected value.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 14 against a dealer 7. Standing loses too often against the dealer's likely made hand, while doubling risks an extra bet on a weak total.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 8 against a dealer 4. Drawing cannot bust this hand, and doubling is not profitable enough to justify the extra wager.

Stand on hard 13 against the dealer’s 4. Basic strategy favors letting the dealer risk busting rather than taking another card.

Basic strategy doubles hard 9 against a dealer 6. The dealer’s weak upcard makes increasing the wager more profitable than hitting.

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

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 3. Hitting or doubling carries too much bust risk; standing is the basic-strategy play.

Basic strategy doubles soft 14 against a dealer 6. The dealer's weak upcard makes increasing the bet more profitable than hitting or standing.

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

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 6. Hitting or doubling risks busting a made hand while the dealer has a weak upcard.

Doubling hard 11 against a dealer ten-value upcard is optimal basic strategy when the dealer peeks for blackjack. It maximizes expected profit from this favorable drawing total.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s 3. This strong total has higher expected value standing than risking a likely bust by hitting or doubling.

Hit hard 13 against the dealer’s 8. Basic strategy favors improving this weak total over standing, while doubling would risk extra chips at a disadvantage.

Hit hard 14 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Basic strategy favors hitting because standing has a worse expected return despite the risk of busting.

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