Why 16 is such a bad hand
With 16 you bust on any card from 6 up, which is 8 of the 13 ranks, or about 62% of the time if you hit. If you stand, the dealer only needs to reach 17 or more to beat you, and with a 10 showing that happens most of the time.
Why splitting usually wins the comparison
Splitting turns one terrible hand into two hands that each start with an 8. An 8 is a decent starting card: a 10 or a face card gives you 18, and a 3 lets you double on 11 if the table allows it. You'll still lose more often than you win against a 10, but simulations show the total loss is smaller than standing or hitting a hard 16. That's why the standard chart, for games where the dealer checks for blackjack, says to always split 8s.
The exception: European no-hole-card games
In European blackjack the dealer takes a second card only after you play. If the dealer then makes blackjack, you can lose both split bets, not just one. That extra risk tips the balance, and many European charts say to hit 8s against a 10 or an ace instead. Our blackjack chart lets you switch between the European and American rules to see the exact difference.
What to remember
Split 8s against 2 to 9 in every version. Against a 10 or an ace, split in American games and check the rules before you split in European games. Either way, the goal is not to win this hand, it's to lose less over hundreds of hands.
FAQ
Should you always split 8s?
In American-style games, yes. In European no-hole-card games, many strategies say to hit against a 10 or an ace, because you can lose both bets to a dealer blackjack.
Why not just stand on 16 against a 10?
Because the dealer will usually reach 17 or more. Standing on 16 loses more often than splitting 8s.
Related guides
Strategy and maths reduce the house edge, but never remove it. 18+, play responsibly.