Blackjack table

With a total of 4 against the dealer's 8, splitting 2s is not favorable and doubling is far too risky. The correct basic-strategy play is to hit and try to improve the hand.

Hard 13 against a dealer 8 is a losing stand, so I hit to try to reach 17–21. The dealer is strong enough that standing on 13 gives poor equity.

With a hard 15 against the dealer's 8, standing is likely to lose, so hitting is the better basic-strategy play to try to improve the total.

Hard 11 against a dealer 10 is a strong double opportunity, and doubling is legal here.

Hard 18 against a dealer 10 is a standing hand; hitting risks busting and doubling is not justified against a strong upcard, so I stand and take my chances.

Hard 11 against a dealer 9 is a strong double spot; one card will likely make a pat 17-21 while maximizing value on a favorable starting total.

Hard 20 against a dealer 9 is a strong standing hand; hitting or doubling risks busting, and splitting tens would be poor here.

Hard 10 against a dealer 2 is a strong double opportunity, maximizing value with a favorable starting total.

Hard 20 against dealer 8 is a strong standing hand; doubling or splitting jacks would reduce expected value, so stand.

Soft 17 against a dealer 3 is a profitable double under basic strategy with dealer standing on soft 17, so I double to maximize expected value.

With a total of 8 against dealer 4, basic strategy is to hit; doubling or splitting 4s here is not advantageous.

Soft 19 against a dealer 4 is a strong standing hand; hitting risks busting or reducing a likely winning total, and doubling is not legal.

With a hard 7 against the dealer's 3, doubling is the optimal basic-strategy play because the dealer is likely to bust and I can maximize value on a favorable spot.

Hard 10 against dealer 8 is a profitable double-down spot, so I maximize expected value by doubling.

Hard 11 against dealer's 4 is a strong double-down spot: I'm favored to make a strong total, and doubling maximizes EV by getting extra chips in while the dealer shows a weak card.

Hard 13 against a dealer 2 is a standing hand under basic strategy because the dealer is likely to bust from a weak upcard. Doubling would be poor with a stiff total.

Hard 9 against a dealer 6 is a strong double: the dealer is in bust range and doubling maximizes expected value with a one-card 18-19 likely, and the extra bet is favorable.

Hard 8 against a dealer 6 is a strong doubling opportunity, as the dealer is likely to bust and I want to maximize my edge.

With a hard 9 against the dealer's 3, doubling down is the optimal play to maximize expected value.