Black Jack, Spliting 8's?

Question

Brushing up on my black Jack Skills.

Should I really split 8's if the dealer shows an Ace? This is what I have been seeing, seems riskey to me.

Answer 1

I wouldn't want to invest anymore money in the hand.  While you have a better chance of improving your respective hands if you split the 8's, you are still likely to face a high dealer hand.  I would stick with the 16 and hope he busts.

Answer 2

If the casino allows you to surrender, then I would surrender.

If not, then I would always split 8's even against an Ace. The dealers rarely busts with an Ace, but your goal with splitting in this case is to improve a losing hand which in this case is 16. Splitting give you the chance to get at least one winning hand and hopefully break even by winning one and losing the other.

So, yes, splitting 8's against an Ace is risky, but it is your best chance to profit in this scenario.

Answer 3

geotassi explained it perfectly and the answer is you shoudl slit 8s always for the reasons of minimising loss.

Answer 4

Definitely not!!!!!!

I would hardly split 8s even if dealer showed a 6,5 or 4...

Keep the 16-hit or stand upon your decision-perhaps hit is a little better.

...

and also:DONT make insurance!!

Answer 5

If you are gambling, which you are, then you split em 8's against dealer showing 4, 5 or 6.  If my split hand is 10 or 11, I double down, if I hit another 8 I split some more, if the house allow.  It is risky but heck, we are here to gamble no?

Answer 6

88 v Ace has a losing expectation regardless of what you do. The obvious thing to do, therefore, is to make the play that minimises the loss.

In a 6D game:

Stand = -66.3%

Hit = -51.4%

Split = -38.6%

In a 1D game:

Stand = -64.4%

Hit = -49,5%

Split = -34.0%

Answer 7

You always split aces and eights, regardless of dealer's up cards.  Statistically, it is the wise choice.

http://www.professionalblackjack.com/bla...

http://pokeronamac.com/images/articles/o...

http://www.playsmartblackjack.com/images...

These basic strategy cards are based on infinite decks, the better choice might be different if you have been counting, but you probably wouldn't be asking this question to begin with if you were a card counter.

Answer 8

I split 8s and aces always, 16 is a dog, especially with an ace showing, heck you might hit double down hands and really clean up.  You wouldn't stand in that hand, and hitting is more than likely gonna bust you, so at least by splitting you can actually save  money or make it.  6,7,8 and 9 he has to stand, anything else he must hit (if dealer must stand on soft 17 we know he doesn't have a 10 value or the question is irrelevant, he has bj then)  and you know you cant bust on the split, so anything but splitting makes little sense.

One note on some of the other answers, you never win in long run playing black jack passively, the only way to beat the house at black jack is to play aggressive.  The split and double down plays are what negates the slight house advantage in multi deck shoes.