Why do you always split 8?

Splitting eights limits one's losses and improves one's hand. Probabilistic research of expected value scenarios shows that by splitting eights one can convert a hand that presents an expected loss to two hands that may present an expected profit or a reduced loss, depending on what the dealer is showing.

Why do you split 8s against 10?

Michael Shackleford, who calls himself "the Wizard of Odds," says splitting 8s against a dealer 10 has the "smallest expected loss" (as opposed to staying, hitting or doubling) of all moves with a pair of 8s.

Are you supposed to split 8s against a 10?

Certainly. According to this basic strategy table , you should always split 8's. The one exception is if dealer hits soft 17 and the casino offers surrender, in which case you surrender your 8's against an ace.

Do you split 8s against an 8?

Meanwhile, splitting your 8s yields a positive expected value for basic strategists against lower dealer upcards deuce through 7. As for splitting the 8s versus higher upcards 8 through ace, the expectation is negative but it is still better than that for hitting as some gambling authors would suggest.

Should you split 8s or surrender in blackjack?

According to The Wizard of Odds, if you follow the basic strategy, you should Split 8's, with one exception: If the dealer hits on soft 17 and is showing an Ace, then you should Surrender.

Blackjack Strategy: The 3 most misplayed hands in Blackjack

What numbers should you never split in blackjack?

Should you ever hit on 17?

It is best to hit when holding a hand of 10 or 12-16, and stand on anything 17 and over. An ace gives you a good chance of making 21 with a hit. When a dealer has a seven, eight or nine card it is impossible for them to make a blackjack, so your chances increase.

Why do you never split 10s?

That's not too surprising because it's tough for the dealer to beat a strong hand of 20. If you split the 10s one time, you stand to win 63% and lose 37% on each split hand. That's a significant decrease in the number of hands won simply because if you split, you will often end up with less than 20 on both hands.

Do you double 11 against 8?

Never double down when you're showing anything higher than an 11, as the chances of going bust are too high to risk. It's better to simply hit or stick on a lower total, and then hope that the dealer goes bust. Basically, if you're ever unsure whether to double down, stick to the safe option and keep your bet as it is.

Do you split 7s against a 2?

You may find the following five rules an easy way to remember how to play your 7s: In multi-deck games, always split 7s against a dealer's 2 through 7, otherwise hit. In double-deck games, split 7s against dealer's 2-8 if DAS or 2-7 if NDAS; otherwise hit.

Should you double down 11 against 10?

When you double down, you risk losing double your original bet, but with 11 vs. 10, you win double your bet more often, giving you a higher average profit.

Is it better to split 10s or 6 in blackjack?

As for the arithmetic, the statistical data on how often you will win when you split a pair of 10s against a dealer showing a 6 is 64% of the time. Your profit expectations for every $100 you bet while splitting those 10s will be, on average, a $56 profit.

Should I split 2s against a 4?

The basic playing strategy for a double- or multi-deck game where doubling down after pair splitting is not allowed (NDAS) is to: split 2s against a dealer's 4, 5, 6 or 7; otherwise hit.

Do you split 9s vs 8?

The basic playing strategy for a pair of 9s is to: Split when the dealer's upcard is 2 through 6 or 8, 9. Stand when the dealer's upcard is 7, 10, or Ace.

Do you split 7s vs an 8?

As for single-deck blackjack, splitting 7s is recommended when the dealer's face-up card has a value of 2 through 8 only. However, the 7s should be split against the 8 only on condition the house rules allow for doubling down after pair splitting.

Should I hit 13 against a 2?

13 stands against dealer 2 through 6, otherwise hit. 12 stands against dealer 4 through 6, otherwise hit. 11 always doubles. 10 doubles against dealer 2 through 9 otherwise hit.

Do you hit 16 vs 7?

On all your two-card hard 16s, you gain by hitting whenever the dealer has 7 or higher, but the gain is biggest when the dealer has a 7 up.

Should you always double 11 in blackjack?

For most people, particularly those who are newer to blackjack, it's almost always a good idea to double down when you are showing an 11.

Should you ever split 5s?

One of the absolutes in blackjack is that you should never split 5s. Most players aren't even tempted, because they recognize they have a much stronger building block for a hand when they start with 10 than starting each of two hands with 5s.

Why is blackjack not 50 50?

Blackjack is roughly 50.5 / 49.5 or about 1/2% house edge. Depending on the rules AND the player's decisions, excluding advantage play, the house edge can be anywhere between -. 13% and 2%. If it was neither side would profit and it would be thus losing money to casino(salary of dealers etc).

Do you hit a 12 against a 2?

Respectively, the reasoning is that the dealer would flip over a ten next to their deuce, draw another high card, and bust. The player stands rather than hits their 12 out of fear they would “take the dealer's bust card”. Unfortunately, there is no such thing since the true odds favour hitting 12 versus 2.

Why hit 12 against a 3?

Bottom line: Even though you'll never get rich on 12 against a 3, no matter how you play it, hitting is the better play, because in the long run it will save you money compared to standing. Play #4. Not Splitting 8s Against a Dealer's 9, 10, or Ace.

Do you hit on 15 against a 7?

Regardless of the number of decks of cards or the mix of playing rules, the correct playing strategy for a soft 15 is: Hit against a dealer's 2, 3, and 7 through ace.

Do casinos hit on soft 17?

But there is one significant difference. In most casino blackjack games, a dealer must take a card if he hits 16 or below and stand at 17 or above. Some tables, though, say the dealer must hit soft 17, meaning he has a chance to increase his score up to 21.

What is 777 rule in blackjack?

You win if at least one of your first two cards is a 7; you win more if both of your first two cards are 7s. The payouts increase further if the Dealer's up card is also a 7.