Pair of 8s vs Dealer 10
A pair of eights against a ten is the textbook case for splitting a bad hand into two better ones. The math backs it up across nearly every common rule set.
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Why Split Is Correct
Splitting a pair of 8s against a dealer 10 turns one 16 — the worst starting total in blackjack — into two hands that each start at 8. The full reasoning and EV breakdown will be expanded here.
How the Play Changes Under Different Rules
Rule variations can shift EV and occasionally the best play. The table below shows the basic strategy answer across common rule sets.
| Rule Set | Best Play | EV |
|---|---|---|
| 6-deck · H17 · no surrender | Split | −0.4763 |
| 6-deck · H17 · late surrender | Split | −0.4763 |
| 6-deck · S17 · no surrender | Split | −0.4728 |
| Single-deck · H17 · no surrender | Split | −0.4620 |
What Most Players Get Wrong
The most common mistake is standing on 16 rather than splitting the pair. Stand loses about 54 cents per unit; Split loses roughly 48. Over a long session the difference is real money — and unlike most close decisions, this one isn't close.