Just curious but they say always split Aces and 8’s...so
1. have you ever NOT split Aces? 8’s?
2. If Yes, some examples that might help...
1. Many times. Surrender was availableOriginally Posted by ZeeBabar
A couple of times when it wasn’t. Count was through the roof. Only against 10 upcard.
2. A couple of times. Don’t remember dealer up card, however, count was deep in the toilet.
In all cases, non split was justified by index. One of the non split aces was against a counting combo dealer pit boss.
Depend on the game you are playing.
Assume moderate count (like from -3 to +3),
-Always split aces against dealer 10 (regardless of whether the dealer peeks for blackjack before the round or not). Don’t expect to win every time you split but it is the most less costly in the long run. Many times you win one and lose one, but it is better than playing soft 12, though hard to bust, not often to get high total. (The count for ENHC game for not splitting ten is below -6, which is the point you had better have an excuse to take a short break instead of playing anyway.)
-If the dealer peeks for blackjack against dealer ace (in US games), always split aces against dealer ace (The count for hitting is below -3, which I think it is no longer good to play at that negative counts.).
-If the dealer does not peek for blackjack against dealer ace (ENHC game where dealer gets the second card after all players), never split aces. It is not worth risking doubling your wager against about 30.77% sure losses despite getting two tens, and also chance of getting the small cards.
-If the dealer peeks for blackjack under 10 and aces (US), always split 8’s against both cards. The reason is some likelihood of the hole card being 2-7 and stand good chance of winning. However, it is clear that this play results in more volatility. (The count for not splitting against 10 is above +8, where you should stand (not hit, like hard 16) instead.) Only surrender 8's in H17 game (not S17), where it is very rare for dealer to get 17.
If you count cards, surrender against the ten for positive counts, but at neutral deck split is a very slightly better play.
-If the dealer does not peek for blackjack under 10 and aces (ENHC), do not split 8’s. Treat like hard 16 against the 10: both late and early surrender is possible, if not, always hit against ace (unless count above +8, stand, but that point you should have taken insurance anyway), hit against ten in zero and negative counts while stand in positive counts.
Of course, some casinos may either peek under only the ten or the ace, in that case recognize whether blackjack has checked at the point you are going to split or not and make the play accordingly.
As I do not reside in US, the majority of my blackjack is ENHC rule so I do not split anyway. However I feel more comfortable playing there as fas as I can double after split and enjoy S17 rule (rather than H17) where I win several hands on 18 against dealer A6. (House edge increase for ENHC rule is less than H17 to S17.)
Last edited by PromVRT; 05-20-2020 at 08:46 AM.
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