Should you split 9’s if the dealer is showing an 8?

It depends on the rules of the game, how many decks are being used, what is the true count, which system your using whether it is unbalanced or balanced there is so much to take into account. 

      My advice is to buy Stanford Wong’s Professional Blackjack.  My personal opinion is that he is the foremost authority on the subject.  However if you are serious about learning blackjack do not limit yourself to one book or one style of play… you may find that some things that Wong use’s are good for you and some things are not.  I use a combo of many different systems that I have combined over the years and try to use a different count system or betting scheme at every casino. 

      Say, that I wanted to hit up The Grand and I decided to use the High-Opt II system on a double deck game with a bet spread of 1-6.  If I decided to hit up the Grand again, I might decided to use a system with a higher playing efficancy such as the zen count and decide to drop my bet spread 1-4 just to keep the casino on their toes,(or off how ever you want to look at it).

      I just recommend that you study the game buy books on the subject and study some more.  And if you dont ever want to lose horrendiously at the casino’s again study for a couple of years before applying it to live action.  You may think you are ready and have counts down and know what to do in over 300 situations but take from me… Nothing is a gurantee. 

                          Thanks For reading.

If you aren’t counting or anything, basic strategy says to split them.

You are right jacob, if you are not counting it does say to split them.  But what is the point of learning basic strategy, if you are not going to count, since all basic strategy will do is get you close to playing even with the dealer.  Only thing you can hope for with simple basic is to be ahead a little.  If someone is not going to count but just use basic it would make more sense to just get a 9-5 minimum wage job.  Don’t get me wrong simple basic can be a very profitable for someone who has the guts to get up and go after being 1-5 units ahead since that is realistically the most you will be ahead.  If you sit and take two hours out of your day and it with one deck of cards for two weeks you would be a rather good count.  And instead of playing for hours and hours eventually losing your money to the casino 14-20 hours of practicing the count could get you anywhere between 0-150 after half an hour or less of play maybe even more.

I think most casual players go to the casino to have a good time for a few hours, not necessarily turn a profit. Basic strategy is a lot easier to learn than counting cards, and you don’t need to be nearly as focused so you can enjoy your drinks, chat with friends, and have a good time. Basic strategy won’t ever give you an advantage over the house, but it sure is better than going with your “gut” like a lot of players do.

None of what you said is really wrong crapsbjrou, just keep in mind this is the beginners section.

Your right Jacob didn’t really notice this was a beginner forum.  I just saw something that I thought I would like to comment on the home page didn’t notice that this was the beginner forum.  Thanks for telling me.  And good luck Jeremiah.