Blackjack Strategy When Splitting a Pair of Eights

Split: Always split a pair of eights.

Why to split a pair of eights

Blackjack basic strategy assumes that tens will be drawn because there are more of them in play. This means that splitting your eights would potentially give you two hands of 18, which is a powerful point value.

It makes sense by splitting them anyways because a pair of 8's only adds up to a total of 16, which is a mediocre hand. This is one instance where splitting cards has its strategic advantages over trying to play a hard 16.