In fact, the value 16 is said to be the worst hand one can have in blackjack. Since sixteen of the other fifty cards have a value of 10 and four have a value of 11, there is a strong chance of getting at least an 18 with either or both split cards. A hand totaling 18 or 19 is much stronger than having a 16.

Blackjack Perfect Pairs is a side bet that the first two cards the player is dealt make a pair, with three different types of pair paying out at different odds. A pair is considered to be two cards of the same numerical value for cards between two and 10 and the same face value for jacks, queens, kings and aces.