Distinguishing which casinos offer the most player-friendly rules at its blackjack tables is one thing. Knowing how to take best advantage of those conditions is something else all together.Almost everyone who plays blackjack with any degree of seriousness employs basic strategy. That's how it should be. Blackjack is no different from any other game of skill. You owe it to yourself and others to play correctly to minimize the house advantage and maximize your profit potential.A major component of basic strategy is learning how to recognize situations where you can capitalize on the dealer's weakness. This generally occurs when the up-card is a four, five or six. The house must draw to 17 whereas players enjoy the luxury of standing on anything they wish.Assuming there's a 10 in the hole, the dealer can be in statistical jeopardy to bust. The more money you are able to wager under such conditions the better. Grinding out profit by winning even money on minimum bets is a tough go. You must be able to seize opportunities that arise in your favor.The primary means to do this are by doubling down (doubling your original bet), splitting pairs (making two hands) and doubling down after splitting.Most players know that you always double down on a two-card 11 and that you double down on a two-card 10 against everything except a dealer's ace or a 10. You should also double down on a two-card nine and in some circumstances eight if the dealer is showing a six.Soft hands also present prime double-down opportunities. The general basic strategy rule of thumb is to double down on A-2 and A-3 against a five or six. Double down on A-4 and A-5 against a four, five or six. Double down on A-6 and A-7 against a three through six.When you are dealt a pair of aces or eights, the strategy to always split them against any up card is a pure defensive move when the dealer is showing a seven or higher. Essentially, you are risking more money in an attempt to escape a weak position. With aces you are holding a 12 and with eights you are holding 16.On the other hand, never split fives. Your two-card total of 10 in this instance should always be a double-down opportunity. And by no means should you ever split 10-value pairs. Your two-card 20 in those cases is a strong hand that shouldn't be broken.As for the other pairs, split deuces, treys and sevens against the dealer's two through seven. Split fours against a five or six. Split sixes against two through six. Split nines against two through six and eight through nine but never against a seven (your two-card 18 wins if the dealer's hole card is a 10).Finally, when the card you draw on a split creates a double-down situation, go for it under the correct situation.