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Do you split 2s against 9?

If the dealer is likely to have a stronger hand, your best bet is to hit and improve your hand — you'll only bust out if you get a 10 or face card. Split nines against two through six, eight, and nine. If the dealer has a seven, ten, or ace showing, don't hit — instead, stand.

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Article Summary

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In Blackjack, you have the option to split any matched pair of cards into two new hands and double your bet. However, this isn’t always the best option. To know whether or not to split your pairs, pay attention to which cards are in your hand as well as the dealer’s hand. Some types of pairs should be split no matter what the dealer is holding. For instance, it’s always a good idea to split a pair of aces. With a split pair of aces, you can get a 21 with either hand if you get a ten or any face card. You’ll also get a much better chance at a good hand if you split a pair of eights. If you happen to get a second pair of aces or eights, take the opportunity to triple your bet and split again. On the other hand, there are some pairs where the dealer’s hand should factor into your decision to split. For example, if you have a pair of twos, threes, or sevens, it’s a good idea to split if the dealer shows a seven or lower. However, if the dealer shows an eight or higher, don’t bother splitting. Similarly, it’s best to split sixes if the dealer shows a two through six, but not if they have a seven or higher. Split nines if the dealer has a two through six, an eight, or a nine, but not if they have a seven, a ten, or an ace. Finally, there are some pairs you should never split. A pair of tens on its own is a good hand and you have a much lower chance of making a better one if you split the pair. Likewise, a pair of fives is a strong starting hand that you’ll only weaken by splitting it. Stay away from splitting fours, too—you’ll likely just end up with two weak hands.

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Why do you split 8s against a 10?

If you stand on a pair of 8s vs. a 10, you win only if the dealer busts, and the dealer busts only a bit more than 21 percent of the time when starting with a 10-value card. If you hit, you lose any time you draw a 6 or higher to bust, and even if you draw a low card, you can lose to a better dealer's hand.

Splitting 8s vs. a Dealer’s 10 in Blackjack

By John Grochowski on Monday July 23, 2012

Sometimes splitting pairs in blackjack is about playing offense, getting in strong position to win two hands. Splitting 8s against a 6 is like that, with two hands starting with 8 that both are stronger beginnings than the dealer’s 6. Sometimes splitting pairs is about playing defense, trying to minimize losses. Splitting 8s against a dealer’s 10 is like that. It doesn’t always work. On one June day, I was dealt a pair of 8s against a dealer’s 10. I pushed out a second bet to split the pair, then drew a 10 on top of each one for two 18s. Problem: The dealer then turned up a 10 for a 20, and took my double wager. A 30-ish man sitting at first base grumbled, “That’s why I never make that play.” I shrugged it off. If you stand on a pair of 8s vs. a 10, you win only if the dealer busts, and the dealer busts only a bit more than 21 percent of the time when starting with a 10-value card. If you hit, you lose any time you draw a 6 or higher to bust, and even if you draw a low card, you can lose to a better dealer’s hand. Hitting is the better of those two options. The average loss is 53.4 percent of the initial bet if you hit, 53.7 percent if you stand. Split, and the average loss decreases to 47.5 percent of the first wager if doubling down after the split is allowed, and 48.6 percent if it’s not. That makes splitting the pair the best available play, a little defense to conserve bankroll in a bad situation.

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