The Blackjack Dilemma: To Split or Not Split 8’s Against 10

Needless to say, online blackjack is one of the classic online casino games that is loved by countless players across the globe, in Singapore, for example. However, while it is true that blackjack offers a thrilling gaming experience, there are some points in the game where you will need to think carefully. 

One of the well-known blackjack dilemmas when playing at a top casino like Solarbet Singapore is whether you will split 8 or not to have a better chance of winning. If this also became one of your dilemmas when playing, or perhaps you were wondering whether to opt for this technique, then let this article answer that question for you!

Is Advantageous to Split 8’s

In blackjack, splitting 8s is a way to increase your chances of winning against the dealer. A pair of 8’s is a hand of 16, and in this game, it’s known to be a risky one. The reason is simple: in this case, the probability of getting another card that would lead to your bust is high. 

Thus, by splitting the 8’s, you make them two separate hands that can become a winning 18 or 19. This is statistically reasonable: even though 16 is always less than 21, the two separate possibilities to get a valuable card with such a hand are worth the risk.

Nonetheless, the dealer’s up card is also to be taken into consideration before deciding on splitting 8s. Statistically, when the dealer’s up card is 2 through 9 or an Ace, splitting would be beneficial, as the odds of getting two potentially winning hands are higher than staying with the losing hand of 16. When, however, the dealer’s 10 or a face card, hitting at your 16 is preferable, for the dealer already has the advantage.

Avoid or Continue to Split 10’s

In most situations, you should avoid splitting 10s in blackjack. A pair of 10s is a very strong hand equal to 20—the perfect score to not go bust and beat the dealer. When you split them, you have two weaker hands and expect to get a low card for each 10. So, the only cases when it makes sense are when a dealer also has a very low card (2–6). 

Another case is when you have a special blackjack strategy advising you to split 10s to a dealer’s up card under the specific deck conditions. This is a pretty rare thing, so it is generally safer to keep the original 20 and hope for a dealer to go bust.

Playing a Hard 16 and Soft 20 Hand

When it comes to blackjack strategy, the way you should play your hand can depend on whether it’s hard or soft. A hard hand has no aces, while a soft hand contains at least one ace, which can be counted for either a 1 or an 11. How to handle a hand of 16 or 20 is a great example of how critical this distinction can be.

A hard 16 is a risky hand and also typically means you have two high cards. In most circumstances, you’d rather get closer to 21 without busting. According to blackjack strategy charts, you should hit on a hard 16. The main reason is that the dealer is more likely to bust when they draw a card on a low total hand. To end on a low total, they’ll have to get a very small card that stands a good risk of making them bust.

On the other hand, a soft 20 also depends on a degree of flexibility. This can frequently be drawn as an ace or a 9. Because an ace could be counted as 1, in reality, you own a hand of 10. However, it’s also a soft hand because, by drawing a little card, you risk creeping up to 20. The betting strategy dictates that you stand on a soft 20. 

The odds are very good that you’ll have a winning hand, and it’s very risky to hit and then bust. You must also recall that they must stand at 17 and above until the dealer has to draw. Therefore, understanding this idea will help you gain knowledge and confidence once you play at Solarbet Online Casino.

Conclusion

Splitting 8s and 10s is generally not recommended in blackjack since it creates two weak hands that are more likely to go over (bust) than a single hand of 16 or 18. These single hands have a better chance of drawing a card that improves their hand value without going over 21.

However, in some situations, like when the dealer’s up card is weak (a 2-6) or when using a specific strategy in the blackjack chart, splitting 8s or 10s might be a better option. The best blackjack winning strategy is not to split 8s or 10s, but if you’re looking for a site that will make the most out of your blackjack experience, look no further than Solarbet. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is splitting 8s more preferable than splitting 10s?

In blackjack, splitting 8s is often preferable to splitting 10s. Two 8s start with a hand value of 16, which is weak. Any card other than a 2 or a 7 could help this hand, which has nine cards in total. When you split 10s to make two 10s, each is already a high-value hand, but the combined value still puts you in a weak position of 20. 

Although this approach provides you the opportunity to have two winning hands against the dealer’s likely bust hand, it is somewhat worse since a high card from Ace to 10 is less likely to follow a 10, than the same high card will enhance a weak 16.

What is soft 20?

A soft hand is any hand that has an ace. Since there are two values that an ace can take, 1 or 11, the hand has some flexibility. A soft 20 is specifically a hand containing an Ace and a 9-value card.

When is the ideal moment to split 10s? 

Splitting 10s is not recommended, especially for beginners. Experienced card counters might decide to split 10s against the dealer’s weak upcard and in a thus-called 10-rich deck when they understand that there are good chances of receiving better hands after the split. Although it is not a suggested play for ordinary blackjack gamblers, using this strategy can have its benefits.