When To Split Cards In Blackjack

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.

Ideally, if the hand is split, it will either amount to 19 or 20 after a couple of draws or result in a push. When the dealer has a 2 – 7 card, it is highly recommended to split your 6s and 7s. When to Split Sixes. Split a pair of sixes when the dealer shows 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Based on the mathematical calculations, your hard 12 can give you a better result, when the dealer has 7 or more, and your six in hand can result in a stronger combination when the dealer has less than 7.

The basic strategy for blackjack clearly defines the situations when the player should split cards in blackjack and when to play without splitting them. This knowledge is absolutely crucial for most professional players because it reduces the house edge and in addition, gives the player a substantial chance of winning.

Generally speaking, according to the optimal strategy, there are three options for a hand consisting of two identical cards:

• Always split pairs
• Never split pairs
• Play by dealer’s card

Always Split Pairs In Blackjack

Remembering when it’s always good to split in blackjack is easy. This rule only applies to two pairs – aces and eights. There is a very simple reason for splitting aces. The maximum value of two aces is 12 (11 + 1). The only card to make a blackjack from 12 is 9. A much more likely scenario occurs when the player gets another card with a value of 10. This case may result either in bust (exceeded 21) or a 12 (1 + 1 + 10).

The logic behind splitting eights is very similar. The value of a pair of eights is only 16, which is a very unfortunate sum in blackjack. It is too low for winning and too high for a hit because more than two-thirds of the cards in the deck will get you over 21.

Some casinos allow a so-called resplit – splitting of a pair that has already been split. The same rule applies here, too. If possible, always resplit both eights and aces.

Never Split Pairs in Blackjack

Although it may seem illogical, it is true that a player should never split a pair of cards with a value of 10. Why? The total value is 20, which is very good and the only thing that trumps such a pair is getting an ace. The probability of this happening is, however, very small and the player is more likely to get two lower-value hands.

The next pair that should never be split is a pair of fives. By splitting them you only get a worse starting position with two weak hands. In addition, a sum of 10 is advantageous, especially if the dealer’s face card has the same or lower value.

Play by the dealer’s card

The remaining pairs are split depending on the dealer’s face card to maximize the mathematical probability of winning. The following rules apply:

• 2, 3 and 7 – always split if the dealer’s face card is 7 or lower
• 4 – split only if the dealer’s face card is 5 or 6
• 6 – split only if the dealer’s face card is 6 or lower
• 9 – always split except when dealer’s face card is 7, 10 or ace

To remember this strategy better, follow the table below.

Legend:

Splitting pairs for card counters

As usual with blackjack, players using card counting techniques may in some cases deviate from the optimal strategy. Most often we see this in case of insurance that is otherwise considered disadvantageous – a sucker bet. However, this is also the case with the splitting rules. In some cases, card counters shouldn’t split a pair of aces or should split a pair of tens.

First, we will show how card counting can affect the player’s decision. If the card count is high and positive (e.g. +5, +6 or more), it is obviously advantageous to split the aces because the player knows that the deck contains more cards worth 10 which means a greater chance of blackjack.

The player will not split aces if the value is negative. In this case, the deck contains fewer cards with a value lower than 10. At the same time, the dealer should have a high card, i.e. a card with a value of 8, 9 or 10. We’ll show an example.

Let’s say the player has two aces and his count is -5. The dealer has a card with a value of 10. The player splits the pair according to the optimal strategy, and the next cards he gets are 3 and 5. After splitting, it is no longer possible to play, so he has to face the dealer’s card with a value of 10 and hands worth only 14 and 16, respectively. That is not a very pleasant situation. In such a case, it is better not to split the aces and rather draw another card, because regardless of what the player gets, he can’t bust.

The same logic can also be applied to the decision whether to split cards worth 10. Generally, we should never split these cards, but there is an exception that applies if the count is negative and the dealer has a low card (e.g. 4, 5 or 6). The player thus has a higher chance of getting at least 20 on one of the hands, which is very hard to beat with a low card.

In blackjack, the option to split your cards can be vital in order to increase your chances of winning, and lowering the house edge. For long-term success, understanding the advantages, disadvantages and when to pounce on the opportunity to split, is crucial. Splitting, as explained on our terminology page, refers to the option of dividing our hand into two separate hands, upon being dealt a matching pair.

We can split our hand if we are dealt two cards of the same value. For example, we can split two Aces, two Fours or two Kings. Depending on the rules, some blackjack games allow us to split non-matching face cards, because they are still valued at 10 points. For instance, we might be allowed to split a King and a Queen.

When splitting, we must place an additional bet equal to our original wager to cover the second hand. Our original matching cards will then be physically separated from each other to form two hands, and we will then be dealt an additional card for each new hand. Now, we play out our hands one at a time, just as we would if we had bet two hands at the start of the round, and we can opt to hit, stand, double down and even split again if the opportunity arises (although some games do not allow us to split again after already having split).

Note: If you are playing in a land-based casino, you must refrain from touching your cards at all times.

Again, depending on the style of 21 we are playing, there can be some slight variations in the rules regarding splitting, but there is always a level of restriction to limit or balance the tactic. The main rule which changes from game to game is the continual splitting option, where if we receive two of the same cards and opt to split them, and then receive another card of the same value, we may or may not be able to split again (and again).

Blackjack for online players

Split cards in play

Most styles of blackjack will let you double down on split hands, and also re-split your hands further if the possibility arises. However, as explained, some casinos have rules which restrict additional options. Here are the two common rule variations:

• If you split a pair of Aces, you will only be dealt one more additional card and you cannot hit, double down or split your hands any further and must work with the cards you’re dealt.
• If you split your hand once, further splits or double downs are not allowed.

If we are playing a standard game of blackjack, then standard rules stipulate we can generally split our hands up to a maximum of three times, which would mean we would be playing a total of four hands. Having said that, always check the rules before you begin playing either online or at a B&R casino to avoid confusion. It is important to try and make sure you have enough chips left so if you are dealt a couple of hands in which you’d be best served to split, you aren’t out of cash.

When to split

A common misconception for many in regards to splitting cards is that they should do so every time they receive a matching pair of the same value. Like all blackjack moves, splitting should be carefully considered and the dealer’s up-card should always be taken in to consideration.

Splitting Aces

Blackjack Split Chart

A pair of Aces is undoubtedly the most popular hand to split. By rule of thumb, we should always choose to split two Aces if we are dealt such a hand. In doing so, we are giving ourselves a greater chance to draw at least one blackjack hand. Alternately, if we opted to keep both Aces for a total value of either two or 12 points, this would eliminate and waste the potential for two separate hands reaching a natural blackjack. In some games, if we hit blackjack (whether it be after splitting or without splitting), we are paid out immediately, regardless of what the dealer has.

When To Split Cards In Blackjack 2

Note: Due to the popularity of splitting Aces in blackjack, should a split Ace be dealt a card valued at ten, some casinos and their rule variations will not regard that as a natural blackjack, and will not payout 3:2, but rather 1:1 Try to avoid such rules.