The one playing rule that mostly affects the strategy for pair splitting is whether the casino rules allow a player to double down after splitting a pair (DAS) or not (NDAS). If you got a few of the above playing decisions wrong, don’t fret because you are not alone. The mathematically correct way to play the above hands is: NDAS = doubling down after pair splitting is not allowed 8-8 vs A with surrender offered - Surrender (If H17, otherwise, Split)ĭAS = doubling down after pair splitting is allowed.WHEN TO SPLIT THE FOLLOWING INITIAL TWO-CARD BLACKJACK HANDS VS. Don’t believe me? Assume you are playing a six-deck game with the dealer standing on soft 17 (S17) and doubling down after pair splitting is allowed (DAS). If there is one playing decision that seems to confound most blackjack players, it’s knowing when to split a pair (and when not to).