Playing 2-2 in Blackjack
Two 2s doesn't look like an exciting hand at first glance. In fact, when I first began playing Blackjack, my first reaction to receiving this hand was always “what the heck am I going to do with a 4?” But two 2s is far from a just a 4. It is a combination that you can sometimes manipulate into a winning hand.
How do you do this when 4 has a negative return across the board? The answer shouldn't be that surprising: you split. But you must be careful under which circumstances you do split, for there is a right and a wrong time in which to do so.
Splitting 2-2 gives you a positive return when the dealer has 4 through 7 exposed ranging from $0.01 to $0.23 for each dollar invested.
You definitely want to split on these hands.
- When the dealer is showing a 2, there is a negative return of $0.08. Compared to the negative return of $0.11 when hitting, splitting is the lesser evil in this instance.
- For 3, the return is -$0.02, as compared to hitting's -$0.08. Again, splitting is the best option.
When the dealer is showing 8 through A, the story is different.
- If you split this hand, you will receive a -$0.18 to -$0.51 return.
- When you hit, the return is a negative $0.16 to $0.29 per dollar invested.
- Hitting on 8 through A is your best option.
In review, with 2-2, you split when the dealer is showing 2 through 7, and you hit on 8 through Ace.
More on How to play Blackjack
- Playing A-A vs A
- Playing A-2 vs 6
- Playing A-3 vs 2
- Playing A-4 vs 3
- Playing A-4 vs 7
- Playing A-5 vs 2
- Playing A-5 vs 5
- Playing A-5 vs 7
- Playing A-6 vs 6
- Playing A-7 vs 2
- Playing A-7 vs 4
- Playing A-7 vs 7
- Playing A-7 vs 9
- Playing 2-2 vs 7
- Playing 3-3 vs 3
- Playing 4-4 vs 6
- Playing 6-6 vs 2
- Playing 7-7 vs 7
- Playing 9-9 vs 7-8
- Playing 10-10 vs 5
- Playing 8 vs 6
- Playing 8 vs 5
- Playing 9 vs 7
- Playing 9 vs 6
- Playing 9 vs 2
- Playing 10 vs 9
- Playing 11 vs 7
- Playing 12 vs 2
- Playing 12 vs 3
- Playing 12 vs 4
- Playing 12 vs 6
- Playing 13 vs 2
- Playing 13 vs 7
- Playing 15 vs 10
- Playing 15 vs 6
- Playing 15 vs 9
- Playing 16 vs 10
- Playing 16 vs 7
- Playing 16 vs 9
- Playing 17 vs A
- Playing Ace Seven in Blackjack
- Playing Two's in Blackjack (222)
- Playing Three's in Blackjack (3-3)
- Playing Eight's in Blackjack (8-8)
- Playing Nine in Blackjack
- Playing Ten in Blackjack
- Playing Thirteen through Sixteen in Blackjack (13, 14, 15, 16)