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Do you split 9s in blackjack?

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.

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When you are dealt a pair of 9s in blackjack you have two viable playing options:

Stand with a total of 18

Split the 9s into two hands, with each hand starting with a 9

BASIC PLAYING STRATEGY

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.

The above strategy should be used regardless of the number of decks of cards being used and the mix of playing rules. The following color-coded chart summarizes the basic strategy for a pair of 9s. Dealer's Upcard 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A P P P P P S P P S S

REASON FOR STRATEGY

The only reason you would split a pair of 9s is if it:

Wins you more money than standing

Loses you less money than standing

When the live blackjack dealer shows a weak 2 through 6 upcard, you are better off splitting the 9s because you’ll win more money than standing on a total of 18. (The dealer has a relative high probability of busting, and by splitting, you have the opportunity to bet more money when the dealer’s chance of busting is greatest.) When the dealer shows a 7 upcard, standing is the better play than splitting because it will win you more money. (The dealer has a good probability of having any one of four ten-value cards per deck as her down card, giving her a pat 17, which you would beat if you stood with 18.) In the case of the dealer showing an 8 upcard, you’ll win money if you stand with 18 but you’ll win even more by splitting, making the latter the better play. When the dealer shows a strong 9, 10-value, or Ace up card, your chances of winning with a pair of 9s is not very good. (Standing on 18 is a losing play but so is splitting; however, you’ll lose less money in the long run if you stand, making the latter the better play.)

RESPLITTING 9S

If the playing rules allow you to resplit the 9s, it is advantageous for you to do so. For example, if you are dealt a pair of 9s against a dealer’s 6 upcard, you should split them. Suppose on the first 9, you are dealt another 9 on the draw. You should resplit to form a third hand. If the casino allows resplits up to a total of four hands, then you should resplit again if you are dealt another 9.

SUMMARY

You will always win more or lose less if you follow the above basic playing strategy for splitting or hitting a pair of 9s. For a complete basic playing strategy for any set of playing rules, consult Chapter 3 in the Ultimate Blackjack Strategy Guide.

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Do casinos usually 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.

Blackjack is a simple game to play, but most novices wrongly believe following a solid blackjack strategy must be hard. That’s far from the case. The simple rule, which will improve your win rate, is that when the dealer looks weak, with a poor upcard, you can stand on more cards, and when the dealer looks strong, you should look to get your total higher and take more risks. It’s a fact that the house edge in blackjack can be as high as 4-5% for a poor player. But that tumbles to as low as 0.5% if you play a sound strategy. However, even experienced blackjack players can make strategy mistakes, especially when it comes to how the dealer plays a soft 17.

What is soft 17 in blackjack?

An ace is worth either one or 11 in blackjack. That means when you have two cards, and one is an ace, you have a choice of totals to work with. If, for example, you have an ace and a three, you have either a total of four or 14. You can take a card and then decide which total to use after that. You become accustomed to how to play soft aces soon enough. But what about the dealer? He can play soft aces just the same as you. 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.

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