Should you split 8s against a 10?
Split. A pair of 8s is 16, the worst total in the game, and two hands starting on 8 lose less than one 16.
Why
Keep the 8s together and you're playing 16 against a 10. Stand, and you win only when the dealer goes over 21, 23.0% of the time. Hit, and many cards break you.
Split them and each 8 becomes the start of its own hand, and an 8 with a 10 or a face on it makes 18. You put out a second bet to do it, and against a 10 you won't come out ahead on average either way. But splitting loses less than playing the 16. In the app's words, a 16 you stand on loses to a 10 about three times in four, and two hands on 8 lose less.
When the answer changes
Every rule set the chart covers splits 8s against a 10. At the app's table (six decks, dealer hits soft 17, late surrender) there is one exception, against an ace: the book surrenders 8s there where it can, and splits where it can't. Where the dealer stands on soft 17, or there's no surrender, the book splits 8s against every card.
The full basic strategy chart for six decks, dealer hits soft 17, with every other rule set a tap away.
Questions
Should you always split 8s in blackjack?
Against a 10, yes, at every rule set. At a six-deck table where the dealer hits soft 17 and late surrender is offered, the book surrenders 8s against an ace instead. Otherwise, it splits 8s against every card.
Why split 8s against a 10?
Together they make 16, which wins against a 10 only when the dealer goes over 21, about 23.0% of the time. Two hands starting on 8 lose less.
More hands
- Should you hit 16 against a dealer's 10?
- Should you hit 12 against a 2?
- Should you hit soft 18 against a 9?
- Should you take insurance in blackjack?
- Blackjack hands, one at a time
Guides
Know the book before you sit down.
