Why should you always split 8s in blackjack?

Introduction to Splitting 8’s in Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. It is a game of strategy and skill which requires the player to make decisions based on their hand and the dealer’s face-up card. One of the most important decisions a player must make is when to split 8’s. Splitting 8’s gives the player the opportunity to double their bet, which can increase their winnings or decrease their losses.

The Basics of Splitting 8’s

Splitting 8’s is a move in blackjack where the player’s two 8-value cards are split into two separate hands. This move is only allowed when the player’s initial two cards are of the same value, such as two 8’s, two 10’s, or two Aces. After the 8’s are split, the player must place an additional bet of equal value to the original bet.

Advantages of Splitting 8’s

Splitting 8’s offers the player several advantages. In a situation where the dealer’s up card is a 9, 10, or Ace, splitting 8’s can increase the player’s chances of winning. This is due to the fact that the player can potentially draw a higher card than the dealer’s up card, resulting in a win.

1. Increasing the Chances of Winning

By splitting 8’s, the player is essentially creating two separate hands. This increases their chances of getting a higher card than the dealer’s up card, resulting in a win. Furthermore, the player can also draw a card that is equal to the dealer’s up card, resulting in a push, which is a tie between the player and the dealer.

2. Doubling the Bet

Another advantage of splitting 8’s is that it allows the player to double their bet. By doing so, the player can potentially increase their winnings or decrease their losses.

Disadvantages of Splitting 8’s

Although splitting 8’s offers several advantages, there are also several disadvantages to consider.

1. Reduced Chances of Winning

When splitting 8’s, the player is essentially reducing their chances of winning. This is due to the fact that the player is creating two separate hands, each of which has a lower chance of winning than the first hand.

2. Increased Risk of Losses

Splitting 8’s also increases the risk of the player losing money. This is because the player is essentially doubling their bet, which can result in larger losses if the player does not win.

When to Split 8’s in Blackjack

Deciding when to split 8’s is one of the most important aspects of playing blackjack. A player should always split 8’s when the dealer’s up card is a 9, 10, or Ace. This is due to the fact that the player can potentially draw a higher card than the dealer’s up card, resulting in a win.

1. Against a Dealer’s 9

When the dealer has a 9 as their up card, the player should always split 8’s. This is because the player has a good chance of drawing a higher card than the dealer’s 9, resulting in a win.

2. Against a Dealer’s 10

When the dealer has a 10 as their up card, the player should also split 8’s. This is because the player has a good chance of drawing a higher card than the dealer’s 10, resulting in a win.

3. Against a Dealer’s Ace

When the dealer has an Ace as their up card, the player should also split 8’s. This is because the player has a good chance of drawing a higher card than the dealer’s Ace, resulting in a win.

Smart Strategies for Splitting 8’s

Although splitting 8’s can increase the player’s chances of winning, there are also several smart strategies that the player should consider.

1. Know When to Stop

The player should always know when to stop splitting 8’s. This means that the player should stop splitting 8’s when the dealer’s up card is a 7, 8, or 9. This is because the player has a higher chance of winning when the dealer has a 7, 8, or 9 as their up card.

2. Limit Your Splitting

The player should also limit their splitting. This means that the player should only split 8’s when the dealer’s up card is a 9, 10, or Ace. Furthermore, the player should also limit their splitting to a maximum of two hands.

3. Always Split Aces and 8’s

One of the most important strategies for splitting 8’s is to always split Aces and 8’s. This is because the player has a higher chance of winning when they split these two cards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, splitting 8’s is one of the most important decisions a player must make when playing blackjack. It is a move that can increase the player’s chances of winning or decrease their losses. However, the player should always know when to split 8’s and when to stop splitting. By following the strategies outlined above, the player can increase their chances of winning and avoiding large losses.