When dealt a pair, you can "" them into two separate hands with matching bets.
The absolute rules:
- Always Aces. Two chances at 21 beats a soft 12.
- Always 8s. Two 8s beats one 16 (the worst hand).
- Never 10s. 20 is a near-guaranteed winner.
- Never 5s. 10 is a doubling hand — don't break it.
- Never 4s (unless DAS).
The conditional pairs:
- 2,2 / 3,3 / 7,7: vs dealer 2–7
- 6,6: vs 2–6
- 9,9: vs 2–6, 8, 9 (stand vs 7, 10, A)
Memorize the "always/never" rules first — they cover 80% of the spots.