Splitting Pairs in Blackjack

When you are dealt two cards of the same value you have the option to split that pair into two separate hands. To do this, you will place a stack of chips equal to your first bet next to your original bet. When the dealer comes to you, he/she will split the cards into two separate hands and subsequently play out each hand separately until they are both finished.

For most hands, the split cards will be played out as though they are any other hands, i.e. the same blackjack rules apply to these split hands. The exception to this rule is split aces. When you split aces, casinos will normally only allow one more card for each ace. In addition, if either of the aces is dealt a 10 card, although that is normally considered blackjack, it is not now, and the pay out is 1 to 1 rather than 3 to 2. Often casinos will let you double down in addition to splitting giving you the chance to have four bets on the table at once. Even more extreme, you could possibly split pairs and double down again, if the cards were willing, and simultaneously have eight bets on the table. Most casinos consider any two 10 cards as a pair, but it is never favorable to split tens, so don’t do it.

There are simple rules according to basic strategy to let you know when to split. First, always split aces, because two aces gives you only a weak hand of 12, versus the opportunity for two blackjacks. Never split fives or tens, because the totals of 10 and 20 are both very strong hands. A pair of eights should always be split, mostly because 16 is a very weak hand but two separate 8’s is fair. For example, if you have a pair of 8’s going against a dealer’s ace, the hand of 16 will lose 51.4% of your bet whereas two hands with 8’s will expect to lose 38.6 % of your bet. Lastly, when the dealer’s upcard is 6 or less, you should split any other pair.

If executed properly, splitting cards can increase your edge against the casino. Trying this strategy at our free blackjack online game and when you are ready you can use this strategy at the local casino or at a real money blackjack casino online.