Blackjack table

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer's 5. Drawing risks busting a strong hand, while the dealer's weak upcard favors standing.

Basic strategy stands on hard 14 against a dealer 2. Hitting risks busting and has lower expected value than standing.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 13 against a dealer 8. Standing loses too often against this strong upcard, while doubling risks an extra bet on a weak hand.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer’s 2. Hitting or doubling risks busting a strong hand and has lower expected value.

Stand on hard 14 against the dealer’s 6. The dealer’s high bust risk makes standing more profitable than hitting or doubling.

With hard 15 against a dealer ten and no surrender available, hitting has the best expected value. Standing loses too often, and doubling risks more chips on an unfavorable hand.

Stand on hard 14 against the dealer’s 4, as basic strategy recommends. The dealer’s weak upcard makes avoiding the risk of busting preferable to hitting or doubling.

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

Basic strategy calls for standing on hard 14 against a dealer 5. The dealer's weak upcard makes standing preferable to risking a bust by hitting or doubling.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 15 against a dealer 7. Standing loses more often, and doubling risks an extra bet on a weak hand.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 12 against a dealer 2. Hitting has a higher expected return than standing or doubling.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer’s 2. Hitting has a high risk of busting and a lower expected return than standing.

Stand on hard 18 against the dealer's ten-value upcard. Hitting or doubling has lower expected value because of the high bust risk.

Double hard 10 against the dealer’s 5. This is a favorable basic-strategy spot to increase the wager against a weak dealer upcard.

Hit hard 13 against the dealer’s ten. Basic strategy favors hitting over standing or doubling against this strong upcard.

Double hard 10 against the dealer’s 6: basic strategy favors increasing the wager against this weak upcard, with a strong chance of drawing a high total.

Stand on hard 19 against the dealer’s ten. Hitting or doubling risks busting a strong hand and has lower expected value.

Hit hard 8 against the dealer’s 9. Drawing cannot bust this hand, and doubling is not favorable against this strong upcard.

Stand on hard 17 against the dealer's 9. Hitting has a high bust risk and a lower expected return than standing.

Basic strategy calls for hitting hard 10 against a dealer 10. Hitting preserves the option to draw again, giving better expected value than doubling or standing.

Hit hard 12 against the dealer's 10. Improving the hand has a higher expected value than standing against this strong upcard.

Stand on hard 20 against the dealer’s 6. Keeping this strong total has higher expected value than splitting, doubling, or hitting.