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Splitting pairs
When your first two cards have the same value (two kings, two 5s, two 7s), you have the option jacks or better to "split" the cards into two hands. To split, you have to place another bet equal to your original bet. jacks or better Then the two cards are split and you play them as separate hands. Some casinos allow you to "resplit" if jacks or better you get another same-value card. This comes in most handy when you are dealt two aces or two sevens. Two jacks or better sevens as a 14 is a bad hand to hit or stand on, but two sevens as a first card jacks or better are decent chances at 17s.
Special rules apply when you choose to split Aces. When you split Aces, you only receive jacks or better one more card on each hand and if you get 21, it is not considered a natural blackjack, so you jacks or better are not paid any more than even money.
Insurance
When the dealer's face-up card is an Ace, some casinos will ask jacks or better if you want "insurance". The cost of insurance is half your original bet. Your insurance bet pays 2 to 1 jacks or better if the dealer gets blackjack, which will equal the amount you lose on the original bet. It's kind of like jacks or better hedging your original bet. For example, say your original wager was $10. The dealer has an Ace showing and you jacks or better decide to place an insurance bet for $5. If the dealer gets blackjack, you lose your original $10 but you jacks or better win $10 on the insurance bet so you are even. If the dealer does not have blackjack you lose your jacks or better $5 insurance bet and play the hand by normal rules.
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