Yes, you should always split Aces and 8s in Blackjack. Splitting Aces is optimal because it gives you the chance to form two strong hands, especially since an Ace is the most valuable card in the deck. If you don’t split Aces, you’re left with a weak hand of 12, which has a low chance of improving. Splitting 8s is also recommended because a hand totaling 16 is one of the worst in Blackjack. By splitting the 8s, you create two separate hands, each starting with an 8, which gives you a better opportunity to improve each hand. Even though specific casino rules may slightly adjust strategy, splitting Aces and 8s is almost always the best decision in most situations.