Blackjack table

Hard 17 against a dealer 6 is always a stand under basic strategy. The dealer has a high chance of busting, and any hit risks our own bust.

Basic strategy for a hard 9 against a dealer 7 is to hit; doubling 9 is only correct against dealer 3 through 6.

Hard 18 against a dealer 7 is a clear stand under basic strategy. Hitting would risk busting on a hand that already beats or ties most of the dealer's likely finishes.

Hard 17 against a dealer 4 is a clear stand under basic strategy. The dealer has a high bust chance, and any hit risks busting.

Hard 11 against a dealer 3 is a double in basic strategy (6 decks, S17), and doubling has the highest expected value here.

Basic strategy says to hit a hard 14 against a dealer 7, because standing on 14 loses to the dealer's likely pat total.

Hard 16 against a dealer 7 is a hit in basic strategy. Standing loses too often when the dealer is likely to make 17 or better.

Basic strategy for a hard 12 against a dealer Ace is to hit. The dealer has already peeked and has no blackjack, and standing on 12 against a strong upcard loses more often.

Hard 13 against a dealer Ace calls for a hit under basic strategy. The dealer has already peeked and has no blackjack, so standing on 13 is too weak.

Basic strategy is to stand on hard 17 against any dealer upcard, including an Ace. Hitting risks busting on most cards.

Hard 16 against a dealer Ace, with no surrender available and the dealer standing on soft 17, is a hit under 6-deck basic strategy. The dealer already peeked, so standing on 16 is worse.

Hard 19 against a dealer Ace is a stand under basic strategy, since hitting busts too often to be worth it.

Hard 19 against a dealer 8 is a clear stand under basic strategy. Hitting or doubling would risk busting a strong made hand.

Basic strategy says to hit soft 16 against a dealer 10. Hitting cannot bust and improves on a weak total.

Basic strategy says to stand on soft 19 against a dealer 10. Hitting would not improve the expected value.

Hard 19 against a dealer 10 is a clear stand under basic strategy. Hitting or doubling risks a bust for little gain.

A hard 20 against a dealer ten is a strong favorite to win or push. Standing is basic strategy; splitting tens gives up equity.

A hard 20 against a dealer 10 is a strong stand under basic strategy. Splitting tens gives up a likely win or push, so standing has the higher expected value.

Hard 8 against a dealer 3 is a hit under basic strategy; doubling on 8 only pays against a 5 or 6.

A hard 11 cannot bust on one more card. Doubling isn't allowed with three cards, so hitting is clearly correct.

Basic strategy says to stand on hard 16 against a dealer 3, since the dealer busts often enough that hitting has worse expected value.

Basic strategy says to stand on a hard 18 against a dealer 10. Hitting or doubling risks busting for very little gain.

Basic strategy says to stand on a hard 13 against a dealer 5, since the dealer busts often from a weak upcard and hitting risks busting.

Hard 7 against a dealer 10 cannot bust, so basic strategy is to hit.

A hard 9 cannot bust on another card, and standing against a dealer 10 loses far more often, so hitting is clearly correct.

Soft 20 against a dealer 10 is a clear stand under basic strategy, since hitting is unlikely to improve the hand.