Blackjack Split Cards
Colin has been counting cards for over 15 years, and ran a multi-million dollar blackjack team. You may have seen his team featured in the documentary Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians, and has been covered by New York Times, CNN, and The Colbert Report. 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. But there is also one more type of blackjack hand – hand where two cards are of the same rank. In this situation players should use the Strategy for Splitting Pairs. Here is presented the basic strategy when playing blackjack with a hand that consists of a pair. This is also called the splitting pairs strategy.
- Splitting Cards Blackjack
- Blackjack When To Split Cards
- Hands To Split In Blackjack
- Blackjack When To Split Cards
- Split Cards Blackjack
How Splitting in Blackjack Works?
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.
Best Casinos to Play
A very common strategy used in online blackjack is the process of splitting cards. Players get the option to split cards when they are dealt two of the same initial cards, known as a pair. When players are dealt a pair they are able to split the cards, post an identical wager as their original bet, and gain an additional card for each, now giving the player two hands.
The process may seem confusing to some, but here you will find anything you will need to master the art of card splitting in blackjack. Players implement splitting cards in an attempt to win more money on their initial bet or to better their hands after a bad initial deal. You can split cards on any pair, with each having their own set of strategies behind them.
We will break down the benefits of splitting for each pair combination you could get, as well as further explaining what splitting cards are. Everything you will need to know about splitting cards in blackjack can be found here.
What Is Splitting Cards In Blackjack?
Splitting cards in blackjack is the process where a player is dealt with two identical cards as their initial two, and the player chooses to add on to their initial bet and turn the two cards into two separate hands. When then happens is the two cards are now separated, and the dealer gives two more cards to the player, one for each new hand. This is done as a strategy to increase the player’s odds of winning. Now instead of having one hand, the player holds two possibilities to hit blackjack.
When Should I Split Cards In 21?
Splitting cards is entirely up to the player but the best situation is when the dealer has a weak exposed card. The most common card splitting is splitting aces, a process where players turn two aces into two separate strong decks. This increases the player’s probability of hitting blackjack as now the player now holds two decks with aces. If the dealers exposed card is also an ace, then the odds of them hitting jackpot are also high making card splitting in this situation not as feasible. It is all up to the luck of the draw when it comes to card splitting.
Always Split Aces And Eights
As common strategy poses, one should always split aces and eights when playing legal blackjack. The reason for this is because the sum of these pairs is a bad start for blackjack players. The sum of two aces is 12, which is a total blackjack players do not want. Splitting those aces now gives you two chances to get a 10 on the next deal, thus increasing your odds of hitting blackjack. The same rules apply for splitting eighths. Two 8's equal 16 and that is also a bad position blackjack players want to be in as the odds of hitting a bust on the next deal is extremely high. When presented with these pairs, it is good practice to split every time.
Splitting Aces
The strategy behind splitting aces is to increase the probability of hitting blackjack. An ace and a 10 is automatically blackjack and is the only unbeatable hand in the game. With two aces, the sum is 12, which is a bad hand to start with. Splitting the two aces increases your odds at getting blackjack as both eyes now act independently. If you are dealt a 10, you automatically hit blackjack. The probability of you getting a 10 is now doubled as you have two separate chances to hit blackjack.
Splitting 2's
You have the option to split two’s at most blackjack operators however the strategy behind splitting twos is not that beneficial. Splitting two’s will give you two separate hands valued at two instead of one hand valued at 4. This doesn’t necessarily increase your odds to get blackjack that much therefore the game of chance is not in your favor from splitting twos. The option is still available however and having multiple hands is still valuable.
Splitting 3's
Splitting Cards Blackjack
Like splitting twos, splitting threes is not that valuable. Instead of having one deck worth 6, you will have two separate decks worth three. These low numbers make it harder for players to hit blackjack or beat the dealer therefore the strategy behind splitting threes is not that beneficial to winning.
Splitting 4's
Splitting fours is an interesting case. Players may be better off simply keeping the pair together, as the sum of two fours is 8, which is not a bad position to start with. Eight gives the player some room to play for blackjack unless they are hit with a face card or a 10. Splitting the fours into two separate decks will give you two decks worth for, however, you will be able to play with two hands which doubles your probability.
Splitting 5's
Blackjack When To Split Cards
It is honestly better to not split fives. In this instance, two fives give you a starting hand of 10, which if you get an ace is automatically blackjack. Starting with a sum of 10 is considered a good start so players usually do not split fives. The strategy is not that beneficial as the player is now forced to work with two decks valued at five which is a really low hand to start with.
Hands To Split In Blackjack
Splitting 6's
Splitting sixes a good strategy. Two sixes give you a starting hand of 12 which is a bad position to be in as the odds of hitting a bust are increased past 10. Unless you feel extremely lucky that you will be dealt an eight or nine, splitting the pair of sixes is a better bet. It decreases your odds of hitting a bust while simultaneously giving the player two hands to play with to get blackjack.
Splitting 7's
Splitting sevens is entirely based on the exposed card the dealer holds. With to sevens, the player starts with a sum of 14 which is not a good start as any face card, ace, or any card higher than 7 would automatically hit a bust. If the dealer's exposed card is low, you may want to risk it and keep the pair but if it is high you should most definitely go for the split. Hosting two hands valued at 7 each is better than one hand valued at 14.
Splitting 8's
It is recommended that players always split eighths. Eights as a pair is a tough hand to win with as it starts the player with a sum of 16. This means the player can easily hit a bust. Therefore, most players split the eights and end up with two decent hands that they can play in hopes of hitting blackjack.
Splitting 9's
Splitting nines is a valuable strategy as hosting two nines gives you a starting hand valued at 18 which is a bad spot to be in. Any move could give the player a bust which would automatically be a loss, therefore, making it blackjack becomes harder. Splitting and hosting two nines gives the player two hands that are far more valuable to potentially hitting blackjack.
Splitting 10's
Splitting 10’s is only a good idea if the dealer’s face card is an ace. This indicates that there is a chance the dealer has blackjack, in that case splitting and hosting two hands that value 10 each increases the player's chance of getting blackjack as well. If the dealer's exposed card is a low number, then the player should stay as with the value of 20, only blackjack will beat them.
Blackjack When To Split Cards
Splitting Face Cards
Split Cards Blackjack
Like splitting 10’s which host the same numerical value, splitting face cards should solely be based on the dealers exposed card. If you have two face cards and the dealers exposed card is a low number, players should stay. This gives you the sum of 20, which can only be beaten if the dealer has a blackjack. If the dealer's exposed card is an ace, then splitting the pair of face cards becomes a better idea as it is possible the dealer has blackjack and would beat the 20.