How Do You Split In Blackjack

A staple of casinos from Las Vegas to Monte Carlo, blackjack is arguably the world’s most popular casino card game. Thanks to its popularity, almost every casino in the world has a blackjack table – or 10, or 100 – set up waiting for new players. You’ve probably played blackjack before, either online or in.

How Splitting in Blackjack Works?

Common Blackjack Split Rules. Allowed to split twice (up to three hands). You can split non identical 10 value cards. Splits Aces cannot be re-split. Split Aces receive. If you’ve ever played blackjack, you already know that if you get two identical cards in a hand, you can split them into two separate hands. This action is referred to as a “split”. These two hands are then treated as two separate players. Each of them may be split again (in case of getting another identical card) or doubled.

What splitting in blackjack means is that when your hand consists of two cards with similar value, you can split them by placing additional bet, creating two hands that will be played separately. The option to split is of enormous value; if it’s used wisely of course.

The basic idea behind splitting cards, besides the obvious goal of increasing your winnings, is twofold. First, to improve weak hands, splitting 8s are a clear example for that. Second, to increase possible winnings on stronger hands, for example splitting Aces.

As with every blackjack rule, things are very simple and yet complicated in the same time. Using this option when not needed, which is probably the most common mistake when it comes to splitting in blackjack, can cost you a lot of money. The good news is that the splitting strategy is rather straight forward and easy to remember, especially if you have a favorite blackjack game which you come back to. Otherwise, it varies according to the specific splitting rules which we will review below.

Last thing before we continue, many new players not sure or shy to request to split, double and so forth. Don’t be. You don’t need to know any secret signs or terminology. Just tell the dealer that you wish to split and place additional bet. That’s it. Of course if you play blackjack online things are much easier and all you have to do is press the split button.

Common Blackjack Split Rules

  • Allowed to split twice (up to three hands).
  • You can split non identical 10 value cards.
  • Splits Aces cannot be re-split.
  • Split Aces receive only one card.
  • You can hit and double down split hands.

Let’s take basic basic Vegas Strip hole card blackjack rulesand see how different splitting rules influence the house edge. So additional rules we use: 8 decks, dealer checks for blackjack and stands on soft 17; double down on any 2 cards; blackjack pays 3:2. Under the splitting rules we used above the expected payout is 99.56% (or house edge of 0.44%).

Below you can see how each change influence the odds (+ means increases players’ odds, minus – lowers players’ odds):

  • Only 1 split allowed: -0.045%
  • Allowed to split to 4 hands: 0.01%
  • No double after split: -0.14%
  • Player can re-split Aces: 0.06%
  • You can hit split Aces: 0.19%

When to Split in Blackjack – Basic Strategy

We will try to make it simple to remember. Here we won’t explain the mathematics behind each decision, but you can find it in additional articles.

Most crucial ones:
  • Never Split 5s and 10 value cards. (Double on 5s as you would on any hard 10).
  • Always split Aces and 8s.
The easy ones to remember:
  • 2s, 3s, 7s – split when dealer shows 2-7
  • 6s – split on dealer’s 2-6.
And the unique ones:
  • 4s – are not a perfect hand for splitting, so you should split them only when the dealer shows 5 or 6 and only when you can double after split. If the casino doesn’t allow to double on split hands – never split 4s.
  • 9s – split on dealer’s 2-6 and 8,9.

What Numbers Do You Split In Blackjack

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How to Play a Pair of 4's in Blackjack

How Many Times Can You Split In Blackjack

Hard hands:Hard 8 or less - Hard 9 - Hard 10 - Hard 11 - Hard 12 - Hard 13 - 16 - Hard 17 to 21
Soft hands:Soft 13 - 14 - Soft 15 - 16 - Soft 17 - Soft 18 - Soft 19 to 21
Splitting pairs:Aces - 2's - 3's - 4's - 5's - 6's - 7's - 8's - 9's - 10's

What pairs do you split in blackjack

Should You Split Fours?

How Do You Split In Blackjack

Almost never. The only time you'll split 4's is when the dealer upcard is a 5 or a 6.

How To Split In Blackjack

Reasoning

What Pairs Do You Split In Blackjack

A pair of 4's is a hard total of 8, which gives you a good chance of catching an 18 for your finishing total, which is a reasonable hand.

If the dealer has a 5 or a 6, she has a great chance of busting. You're hoping to catch a couple of totals of 14 when you split, which will win if the dealer busts.

How Do You Split Your Cards In Blackjack


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