Blackjack table

Hard 18 against a dealer 5 is a clear stand under basic strategy. The dealer has a high bust chance, and any hit risks busting.

Basic strategy says to stand on a hard 14 against a dealer 2, since the dealer's bust chance outweighs the risk of hitting.

Basic strategy says to hit a hard 13 against a dealer 8. The dealer is not in a weak bust position, so standing loses more often.

A hard 18 against a dealer 2 is a clear stand under basic strategy. Hitting or doubling risks busting a strong total.

Basic strategy says to stand on hard 14 against a dealer 6, because the dealer has a high chance of busting.

Basic strategy for hard 15 against a dealer 10, with no surrender available, is to hit. Standing loses more often against the dealer's strong upcard.

Basic strategy for hard 14 against a dealer 4 is to stand, since the dealer has a high chance of busting. Hitting risks busting on any 8 or higher.

Hard 17 against a dealer 10 is a standard stand in basic strategy. Hitting risks busting far more often than it improves the hand.

Under basic strategy, hard 14 against a dealer 5 is a stand. The dealer has a high bust probability, so I won't risk busting by hitting.

Basic strategy for hard 15 against a dealer 7 is to hit, because the dealer is likely to make 17 or better and standing on 15 loses more often.

Basic strategy for hard 12 against a dealer 2 is to hit, since the 2 is not a weak enough upcard to justify standing.

Basic strategy says to always stand on a hard 17. Here it's against a dealer 2, and hitting would bust too often.

Hard 18 against a dealer 10 is a stand in basic strategy, since hitting or doubling risks busting and does worse on average.

Hard 10 against a dealer 5 is a standard basic-strategy double. The dealer's bust chance is high and we have a strong drawing total.

Basic strategy for hard 13 against a dealer 10 with no surrender available is to hit. Standing loses more often against a strong upcard.

Under basic strategy, a hard 10 against a dealer 6 is a clear double down. The dealer's bust chance is high and our hand has strong drawing potential.

Hard 19 against a dealer 10 is a stand in basic strategy. Hitting or doubling would be far more likely to bust than to improve.

Hard 8 against a dealer 9 is a hit under basic strategy. Doubling only makes sense on 9 against 3-6, so I take a card.

Hard 17 against a dealer 9 is a stand under basic strategy, since hitting risks a bust too often.

Basic strategy for a hard 10 against a dealer 10 is to hit rather than double, since the dealer's upcard is too strong to justify doubling.

Basic strategy says to hit a hard 12 against a dealer 10. The dealer's strong upcard makes standing worse than the risk of busting.

Hard 20 against a dealer 6 is a strong standing hand. Splitting tens gives up a likely win for worse expected value under basic strategy.