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Table Games Splitting 8's

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by MickOB1980, Feb 7, 2015.

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  1. MickOB1980

    MickOB1980 Tourist

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    Hi All,
    I'm sure this has been answered countless times but it's the one rule of basic strategy I find hard to follow...especially against a high dealer card. I know statistically long term it should reduce losses but do people really play this and am I likely to piss off other gamers by not following? I prefer to lose one hand with a pair of 8s than 2 hands when splitting against a dealer 10...
    Love to hear others thoughts on this.... Thanks folks
     
  2. DeMoN2318

    DeMoN2318 The DERS

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    Don't split 8s against a dealer 10...that's my strategy
     
  3. bucac_tau

    bucac_tau Tourist

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    I split those snowmen...

    From The Wizard of Odds site:

    Splitting is the best decision because it results in the lowest overall loss for the hand. The expected returns for doubling and splitting are based on the total return for that hand relative to the initial bet. For example, if your initial bet was $100, and you split the eights, the total expected loss, all things considered is $47.47, which is less than the expected loss of $53.69 by standing.

    • Stand -.536853
    • Hit -.535361
    • Split -.474733
    • Double -1.07022
     
  4. BlacklabberMike

    BlacklabberMike MIA

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    yes, but what if you are playing a double deck game with no DDAS? do you just hit?
     
  5. GROWLR

    GROWLR Low-Roller

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    Agree with bucac, in the long run it's better to always split. Though in some specific games the basic strategy says to either just hit, or sometimes surrender. In either case if splitting is the only "error" you make in that particular strategy you are not increasing the house edge very much.
     
  6. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    You can do what you want, but there is only one correct move. What we think and feel is irrelevant. In the short term, anything can and will happen, in the long term you are best served by avoiding hunches.

    You WILL lose less over the long run by playing correctly, the choice is yours.
     
  7. klawrey

    klawrey High-Roller

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    Yup. Always split Aces and Eights! Plain and simple. Varying play at the blackjack table based on hunches is the worst thing you can do statistically.

    As for people getting mad, they may be annoyed. I know myself I get annoyed by this but as most have said they are your cards and its your choice. My biggest thing is be consistent to provide consistency to the table so we know what your decision will always be. If you choose not to split eights that is your decision but please don't split eights the next time you get them. That is what I personally find annoying.
     
  8. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    I always split them unless the count is high, then I might just take a hit and hope for the best.

    A lot of players also may not wish to split if their initial bet is so large that by splitting it puts them into an uncomfortable situation, which is certainly understandable.

    I agree with the above poster who said that in the long run you'll lose less by splitting in this situation.

    As for the other players all I can say it is your money and your hand. Do as you please and the hell what anyone else thinks or says.
     
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  9. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Always split. Its a defensive play, but the correct play
     
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  10. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    You will probably piss them off anyway if they are losing. They need someone to blame.
    Just play the way you feel comfortable.
     
  11. jdvegas

    jdvegas VIP Whale

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    Yup - got to do it!

    Never, EVER make a BJ decision based on what other people at the table may or may not think.
     
  12. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    The only change to splitting 8's is if they allow surrender and the dealer is showing an Ace. Then you surrender.
     
  13. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    You should surrender 8s against an Ace when the dealer hits soft 17.

    You should also surrender 8s against a 10 if you are going to stand or hit as opposed to splitting (you should split, surrender is the second best option).
     
  14. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    Yes, hit 17. I stopped practicing for stand 17 because I'm a low roller and I never see stand 17 when I go to vegas at my limits.
     
  15. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    I always split 8s, and I hate when I have multiple splits, and the dealer has a 10. One time I got 5 8s in a row. I split up to the four hands that I could, and on the 16 I got a bust card. I got an ace on two of the hands for two 19s, and I got 17 on one of the hands. The dealer got a three-card 18 so I ended up winning two and losing two. What a stressful push!
     
  16. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    I remember reading something Sklansky wrote that not splitting 8s is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when deviating from basic strategy. As someone pointed out previously, it's about a 5% EV difference between keeping them and splitting them. 5% EV is a lot to give up.
     
  17. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

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    I agree. ALWAYS split aces and 8's no matter what. Long term, it is better for you. You will always remember the times it hurts you but it usually helps you.
     
  18. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

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    Is that the hand that made your forum name? :poke:
     
  19. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Aces and eights is an oooooollllld poker thing.

    As far as splitting eights, I agree with everyone here who's posted that it's absolutely the right call, and I do it 100% of the time. That being said, it's not a bad enough call that the dealer will announce it to the pit (as opposed to, say, splitting 10s or staying on a soft 13, both of which I've seen happen).
     
  20. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    When I made my handle, "Aces and Eights," 44inarow is correct. It is the poker reference to aces and eights being dead man's hand that made me choose it. But you make a good point about aces and eights being a blackjack term where you always split them. On top of me getting the aces on two of the 8s that I split, it makes even more sense. :poker:
     
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