Hard Hands and Totals-Strategy for Doubling Down

Always split 8s because their total is 16 , the worst possible total. Each separate 8, however, may form a more solid hand. Never split 4s and Ss because they already form the base of a strong hand and separating them may cause two weak hands to develop.

Never split 10-value cards because two loss equal 20, one of the most powerful hands in blackjack. Why should you break up a 20 for two unknown and possibly weaker hands?

The 9s are split against all cards from 2 to 9, with the exception of a 7. Why not a 7? Because two 9s equal 18, and if a dealer shows a 7 as his up card, he probably has a total of 17, which will lose to the player's 18.

The toughest decisions are involved with splitting 2s and 3s against a dealer's 7. It's difficult to do this, especially when losing, but these are the correct moves. The computers say so and the computers coldly calculate the odds.

certain circumstances

atlantic City clubs

especially when losing