Pair of 8s

Here, the advantage of a player splitting their 8s against any of the dealers cards is fairly obvious. A starting total of 16 can be a player’s worst nightmare. Splitting offers the player two potential hands of 18. Despite the odds of this happening being against them, it is better to risk it than to stay with either a losing sixteen or going bust.

Despite appearances, there is also a slight gain to be made in splitting against the dealers 9, 10 or Ace. Again it offers the player the chance of two 18s. In this situation there is often a chance that the player will win one hand and lose the other i.e., a no-loss situation.

INDEX:
H = HIT
S = STAND
P = SPLIT
D = DOUBLE DOWN
G = GIVE UP (surrender if allowed, otherwise hit)