Blackjack table

Double hard 11 against the dealer’s 6. This maximizes expected profit with a strong drawing total against a weak dealer upcard.

Basic strategy calls for standing on hard 17 against a dealer 5. Hitting or doubling risks busting a strong made hand against a weak dealer upcard.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 12 against a dealer 8. Standing is too weak, and doubling would risk an extra bet on an unfavorable hand.

Stand on soft 19 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Under six-deck, stand-on-soft-17 rules, standing has the best expected value.

With hard 16 against a dealer ten and no surrender available, hitting is the basic-strategy choice and has a slightly higher expected return than standing.

Basic strategy doubles hard 10 against a dealer 8. Increasing the wager here maximizes expected profit.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 5. Keeping this strong hand has higher expected value than splitting the kings or drawing another card.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 13 against a dealer ace. Standing is too weak, and doubling would risk an extra bet on an unfavorable hand.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 13 against a dealer 7. Standing is less favorable, and doubling risks an extra bet on a weak total.

Hit hard 16 against the dealer’s 7. Standing has a lower expected return, and surrender is unavailable.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s 7. Hitting carries a high risk of busting and has lower expected value.

Splitting aces is the highest-value play against a dealer 6, creating two strong starting hands against a weak upcard.

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

Basic strategy favors standing on hard 12 against a dealer 6. The dealer's high bust risk makes standing more profitable than hitting or doubling.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 3. Hitting or doubling risks busting and has lower expected value.

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

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 14 against a dealer 9. Splitting 7s against 9 or doubling would increase exposure in an unfavorable matchup.

Double hard 10 against the dealer’s 7, as recommended by basic strategy. This increases the stake in a favorable situation with a strong chance of drawing a high total.

Hit soft 14 against the dealer’s ten-value upcard. Basic strategy favors improving this weak hand rather than standing or doubling.

Hit hard 14 against the dealer's ten-value upcard. Standing has a lower expected return than taking another card.

This four-card hard 16 contains several low cards, making standing preferable to hitting against the dealer’s ten-value upcard on a composition-dependent basis.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 9 against a dealer 8. Doubling is less profitable because the dealer has a strong upcard.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer's 8. Hitting risks busting a strong hand and has lower expected value.

Standing on hard 18 against a dealer 9 is the basic-strategy play. Hitting risks busting and has lower expected value.