You can separate two letters when they have the same value. In doing so, you're literally taking each of the cards and start a hand with each of them. Say you are dealt two 8's. Since two eights add 16 (which is not a very good hand).

It is better to separate two different hands best to start with 8 each. In this way you will have the opportunity to get a 10 to total 18. When you split, you must place a second wager equal to your original bet on the second hand.

The player can choose to fold if you think you have a good chance of getting a good hand after being given one more card. You can only get one more card. Therefore, if you have a 10, then run the risk of getting a blackjack and remain hopelessly at 12.

The time to choose a doubling is when your first two cards total 10 or 11, and you can expect your next card is 10, thus achieving a 20 or 21. To decide whether to fold is important to know what the dealer's upward.

If the dealer's cards are "busting" (one card of 4.5 or 6, suggesting that may have a total hand of 14, 15 or 16, so it is likely to pass 21) is better than double.