| Yes, you will make money if you split 10s when the dealer shows a 6 up-card to the tune of 56 cents per hand. However, you will make 14 cents more per hand on average if you stand (70 cents vs. 56 cents). This is why standing on a pair of 10s is the preferred play. If you do the same analysis for 10s against a dealer 5 you'll arrive at a gain of expectation of 16 cents per hand when you stand vs. split making standing the more profitable play. If it's more profitable to stand on 20 rather than split, why do the pros sometimes split? The answer to this has to do with the composition of the undealt cards.Since casinos do not have big margins on their blackjack tables, they often try to offer these side bets to boost profits. For example, some side bets require that the player make a bet that the player's two-card hand will be over or under 13, or the first two cards are of the same rank. Other side bets pay a bonus if a player gets three suited 7s or if a player is dealt a suited king or queen. What follows is a summary of these side bets and a recommendation as to whether or not they are worth playing. Three Way Action This is three games in one--blackjack, high card wins (combat), and 7-card stud. A player can bet on any one or all three games. You play blackjack with regular house rules (on some tables if you get seven cards without going over 21 you automatically win). In combat it's the players first card against the dealer's upcard, high card wins (pays even money). The dealer will win half the bet if the two cards tie. Casino edge is 2.9%. Additional cards are given to the player and dealer to make a 7-card poker hand with the highest hand winning (players receive even money). The dealer must have at least an ace or higher to qualify or player wins half the bet. The casino edge is 3.2%. Other than the normal blackjack game, I'd pass on the other two side bets. Pair Square A player wins this side bet if his first two cards are of the same rank. For a 6-deck game, the payoff for an unmatched pair is 10 to 1 and if matched the payoff increases to 15 to 1. The payoffs vary for different numbers of decks, but the casino's edge in all cases is around 6% or more. This is another side bet that should be avoided. Perfect Pairs The game uses eight decks of cards. Players bet that their first two cards are a pair. A Perfect Pair (same rank and suit) pays 30 to 1, a Colored Pair (a pair of same rank and color pays 10 to 1, and a Red/Black pair pays 5 to 1. Overall house edge is 3.45%. Again not recommended. 21+3 |
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