Decision Library
Pair of 8s vs dealer Ace · six decks · dealer stands on soft 17 · double after split allowed
Correct play
SplitThe best you can do is hold the loss to -0.385 per unit, and splitting beats surrendering by 0.115 per unit.
Deals a pair of 8s against a dealer ace in the trainer, graded live.
Per unit bet, six decks, dealer stands on soft 17, computed by the engine.
| Option | EV / unit | vs. best |
|---|---|---|
| SplitBest | -0.385 | — |
| Surrender | -0.500 | -0.115 |
| Hit | -0.513 | -0.128 |
| Stand | -0.665 | -0.279 |
| Double | -1.026 | -0.641 |
Split a pair of 8s here rather than play the combined total. Each card starts a fresh hand against the ace, and two hands built from this rank do better than one stiff or mediocre total.
Splitting is worth -0.385 per unit; standing pat on the 16 would be -0.665. Playing two hands captures 0.279 more per unit.
Playing a pair of 8s as one hand feels safer, but it wastes the value of starting two hands from this rank. Hitting the combined total instead of splitting costs 0.128 per unit versus the correct splitting. Over a few hundred of these hands, that is real money handed back.
Same hand, different table conditions. The correct play holds unless noted.
| Table condition | Correct play |
|---|---|
| 6 decks, stands soft 17 (baseline) | Split |
| 6 decks, hits soft 17 | Surrender changes |
| Single deck, stands soft 17 | Split |
| Double deck, stands soft 17 | Split |
| No surrender offered | Split |
The correct play changes under: 6 decks, hits soft 17. Everywhere else, split holds. Use the row that matches your table.
Strategy and expected values from a combinatorial engine validated against Wizard of Odds.