Blackjack: Splitting Pairs

Any blackjack player who’s studied basic strategy has this pair-splitting maxim deeply ingrained: Always split Aces and 8s. Never split 5s or 10s.

There’s one minor exception. With two or more decks in play in a game where the dealer hits soft 17 and late surrender is offered, it’s better to surrender 8-8 against a dealer’s Ace.

Some hands are closer calls than others. Let’s check out some numbers for six-deck games where dealers hit soft 17 — the most common blackjack games around today.

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Blackjack: Playing Your Hand Correctly

Blackjack is one of the most popular games in the casino, and can be one of the most profitable too if you play your hand correctly. 

You are probably thinking, “ho-hum, another article on basic strategy. I know that stuff.” Let’s just see. Jot down how you would play these hands (unless otherwise stated, assume a standard 6-deck game, dealer stands on soft 17 and doubling down after pair splitting permitted).

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Casino Confidential: Things you should never do!

p18_crapspic-webCasino games are full of judgment calls with what plays you should make sometimes.

Should a blackjack player hit hard 16? Yes, if the dealer’s face up card is 7 or higher, but not if it’s 6 or lower.

Should a Three Card Poker player match the ante with a play bet? Yes, if the hand is Queen-6-4 or better, but not with lesser cards.

But there are absolutes, too. And many of those absolutes are absolutely not’s.

Here are a few things you should NEVER do in a casino.

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