Blackjack is a very rewarding casino game to play, and the only thing you need to stay ahead of the game is the right blackjack basic strategy. In this article, we are going to talk about how to play blackjack pairs in order to maximize returns.
The first rule to keep in mind is to always split pairs of Aces and 8s. These pairs are very weak when played together, but they can be two very strong starting hands when split. If you can double-down after splitting the pair of Aces, you can maximize your profits even further.
If you start with a pair of 2s, split if the dealer shows 2 to 7 and hit otherwise. The same basic strategy also applies to a pair of 3s. For a pair of 4s, split if the dealer shows a 5 or a 6 and otherwise hit.
Starting with a pair of 5s, the best way to go would be to double down if the dealer shows 2 to 9 and otherwise hit. Splitting a pair of 5s is never wise because you can gain so much more by doubling down.
With a pair of 6s, split if the dealer shows 2 thru 6 and otherwise hit. You can also use the basic strategy when playing a pair of 7s, but you also need to split if the dealer’s open card is a 7.
A pair of 9s is a bit tricky to play. Split only if the dealer shows 2 to 6, 8, or 9. Stand if the dealer’s open card is a 7, a 10 (or any of the face cards), or an Ace.
Lastly, never split a pair of 10s (or any of the face cards) since the hand is strong enough to win the round.