Should you split 8s against an ace?
Surrender if the table offers it. If it doesn't, split. The book surrenders two 8s against an ace and splits against the rest.
Why
Kept together, two 8s are 16: 8 of the 13 ranks break it. Against an ace the dealer ends on 17 or better 79.9% of the time, after checking for blackjack.
Splitting is the usual answer to 8s, and the book splits them against every other dealer card. Against an ace at this table, surrender loses less: you give up half your bet and keep the other half. Where surrender isn't offered, split.
When the answer changes
At the app's table (six decks, the dealer hitting soft 17, double after split and late surrender) the book surrenders two 8s against an ace. Where surrender isn't offered, it splits. With the dealer standing on soft 17, or with a single deck, or with two decks and double after split, the book splits instead. Every other rule set plays it the way the app's table does.
The full basic strategy chart for six decks, dealer hits soft 17, with every other rule set a tap away.
Questions
Should you split 8s against a 10?
Yes. Against a 10 the book splits 8s. A dealer showing a 10 goes over 21 23.0% of the time, after checking for blackjack.
Does the answer change if the dealer stands on soft 17?
Yes. At the app's table with the dealer standing on soft 17, the book splits 8s against an ace.
More hands
- Should you split 8s against a 10?
- Should you split aces against an ace?
- Should you split 9s against a 10?
- Should you split 5s against a 10?
- Should you split 7s against an 8?
- Blackjack hands, one at a time
Guides
Know the book before you sit down.
