Playing 8-8 in Blackjack
As you well know, 16 is the worst hand you can be dealt. Your hopes of improving this hand by hitting are the weakest of any hand: 5/13 (38.5%).
At first glance, your only hope is to pray for the dealer to bust. But then you look at your cards again and realize you have two 8s. Hitting 8-8 is a foolish choice. Because it is a 16, hitting will give you a return of -$0.41 to -$0.54 for each dollar you invest in the hand.
There has to be a better option. You guessed it, splitting is the way to go.
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If you split when the dealer has a 2 through 7 exposed, the return is a positive $0.07 to $0.41.
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For the stronger 8 through A, the return is -$0.02 to -$0.48, still far less than your chances when you hit.
You will want to always split your 8s, regardless of what the dealer has.
- Playing A-A vs A
- Playing A-2 vs 6
- Playing A-3 vs 2
- Playing A-4 vs 3
- Playing A-4 vs 7
- Playing A-5 vs 2
- Playing A-5 vs 5
- Playing A-5 vs 7
- Playing A-6 vs 6
- Playing A-7 vs 2
- Playing A-7 vs 4
- Playing A-7 vs 7
- Playing A-7 vs 9
- Playing 2-2 vs 7
- Playing 3-3 vs 3
- Playing 4-4 vs 6
- Playing 6-6 vs 2
- Playing 7-7 vs 7
- Playing 9-9 vs 7-8
- Playing 10-10 vs 5
- Playing 8 vs 6
- Playing 8 vs 5
- Playing 9 vs 7
- Playing 9 vs 6
- Playing 9 vs 2
- Playing 10 vs 9
- Playing 11 vs 7
- Playing 12 vs 2
- Playing 12 vs 3
- Playing 12 vs 4
- Playing 12 vs 6
- Playing 13 vs 2
- Playing 13 vs 7
- Playing 15 vs 10
- Playing 15 vs 6
- Playing 15 vs 9
- Playing 16 vs 10
- Playing 16 vs 7
- Playing 16 vs 9
- Playing 17 vs A
