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The GameThe MovesHard TotalsSoft TotalsPairsSurrender & RulesLive HandCard Counting

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Lesson 3 · Pairs

The Other Pairs

For pairs of 2-9 (excluding 5 and 8), the decision depends on the dealer's card and DAS rules.

General rule: split if the dealer is weak (around 2-7), otherwise treat as a hard total.

Examples

P7 vs 7
7♦7♦7
7♥7♥7
YOU
VS
7♦7♦7
DEALER
✓ Split

Split — two hands of 7 against the dealer's 7, both could improve.

P9 vs 7
9♠9♠9
9♦9♦9
YOU
VS
7♠7♠7
DEALER
✓ Stand

Stand — 18 vs dealer's 17, standing is better than splitting.

P6 vs 7
6♠6♠6
6♣6♣6
YOU
VS
7♠7♠7
DEALER
✓ Hit

Hit (not split) — vs 7 the dealer is too strong, treat as hard 12.

Common mistake

Splitting 9s against a 7. Your 18 beats the dealer's implied 17 — stand there, and go back to splitting against 8 or 9.

Guided practice

Try 8 hands from the category you just studied before the quiz.

Pair
4♥4♥4
4♣4♣4
YOUR HAND
VS
Dealer
5♥5♥5
DEALER

Quiz

Answer 8 out of 10 correctly to continue.

Check this hand on the full chart →