Since
splitting Aces is a very strong player move, the
casino restricts you to drawing only one additional
card on each Ace. But even though this rule limits
your opportunity for additional cards, that shouldn't
keep you from splitting. For openers, Dave, there
are more 10-value cards than any other card in
the deck, and that's reason number one to split
them. Besides, you are better off with a hand
of 11, than with a hand of 12, and splitting aces
gives you two hands of 11.
The math bears this out. By taking just one card
to a single Ace, its application is now identical
to doubling down with an 11. Hence, after adjusting
for ties, you'll win 60% of the time while losing
just 40% of your hands. Oh, and by splitting Aces,
the casino graciously allows you to do this twice.
It gets even better, Dave. Against a dealer 6,
you're in the winners circle 67% of the time.
Even against a dealer's face card, you will still
win 54% of your split hands. There is no dealer's
up card in which you are not the favorite.
In short, Dave, put your anecdotal evidence aside
and focus solely on the blackjack odds and probabilities.
Playing each hand as an 11, even with only one
hit apiece, is always superior to waltzing through
a soft 12.
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