Doubling down is an exciting move to make in blackjack – and profitable if you get it right. This is when you double your bet in the middle of a hand, after which you only receive one more card. Firstly, splitting in blackjack can only occur after you’ve been dealt a pair of the same value cards on your initial hand. For instance, two 8s, two 10s, two Jack’s etc. When that happens you will immediately get to split, if you want, because it’s always optional.
- When Should You Split 10's In Blackjack
- When Should You Split 20 In Blackjack
- When Should You Split Cards In Blackjack
Blackjack is a super popular Live Casino game that many online gamblers enjoy. This game is simple, but every move is of strategic importance. While knowing how to play is an essential step towards victory, it is not the only thing to keep in mind. It is also important to know when to split in blackjack.
What does this mean? Players may have the option to split when they obtain a hand that includes two cards of the same value, and so can ‘split’ their hand into two separate hands. When this happens, an additional card is dealt for each hand, and players can now place an additional bet on the newly created hand.
Splitting pairs can potentially be very advantageous to the player if done correctly. Don’t worry if you’re not sure when to split in blackjack, we’re here to help you get a better understanding and make better moves to improve your blackjack strategy!
Blackjack
The aim of the game is to get as close to a total card value of 21 as possible while you try to beat the dealer’s total without going bust. The cards are taken at their face value with the exception of jacks, queens and kings which are worth 10 points each. The ace card is given a value of either one or 11 — depending on your hand value.
These are the typical blackjack rules, but some variants may include additional side bets and all-new rules. Try out some of these variants at EnergyCasino by signing up and making your first deposit.
What Is Splitting In Blackjack?
Splitting in blackjack is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. If you are dealt a pair, you may have the option to ‘split’ it to form to two hands. Once you split, you will be dealt two new cards and carry on betting on both hands. So, a second wager will be placed, equal to your original bet. Let’s take the following example:
Suppose you placed a bet of €1 and you receive a six of hearts and a six of diamonds — a pair. If you decide to split, then an additional €1 must be bet to continue playing. Each hand is played separately, so you will play one hand and then the other in one round.
You could say it’s pretty simple, but there is a strategy to keep in mind here. Not every blackjack pair should be split, playing the single hand to the end might be to your advantage. That said, some pairs should almost always be split as, statistically speaking, doing so will result in losing less money over time or offers a reasonable chance of turning a losing hand into a winning one. How do you know when to split or opt for other playing decisions? Let’s find out.
When You Should Always Split
Splitting pairs in blackjack generally depends on the house rules, your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard. So, you may face instances where a split is much more favourable than others. Here are a couple instances where you might want to consider splitting:
- Split Aces: Splitting a pair of aces is always an advantageous strategy due to its potentially high value. If you play with one hand, this pair will give either a two or soft 12, since an ace can take the value of either one or 11. Playing with split hands is much more beneficial with two aces, a sthe number of 10-point value cards is quite significant. However, keep in mind that many blackjack tables only allow one hit after splitting aces.
- Split Eights: Basic strategy dictates that splitting eights is almost always better than playing the hand through. Having a hand of 16 is pretty weak and is quite risky to hit — anything above a five is a bust. Splitting a pair of eights gives you much better chances of winning as it is impossible to bust on your first hit. Keep in mind that playing with an eight is still quite problematic, especially if the dealer’s upcard is an ace, but splitting this pair helps mitigate some of the damage to your bankroll in the long run.
When You Should Never Split
Knowing when you should keep your hand is just as important as knowing when to split it.
- Two tens: Splitting 10s is quite a common rookie mistake. If you get a pair of 10s, the best strategy would be to keep the hand, simply because the total is 20, which is a great start. If you decide to split and hit, it’ll be much harder to improve your hand.
- Two fives: A pair of fives yields a value of 10. With this pair it is much easier to double down than if you had to split and hit instead (if doubling down after splitting is allowed). You can’t bust with this pair, and you have a solid chance of getting 20 or 21 on the first hit. Splitting will leave you with a weaker hand and so it is never really a good idea to split a pair of fives.
- Two fours: The same logic of splitting fives can be applied here. If you are dealt a pair of fours and split, you run a greater risk of building two weak hands. Playing with an eight-point hand is much more advantageous and harder to go bust.
Doubling After A Split or No Doubling After A Split?
When deciding when to split, it is important to consider the type of table you play at. Blackjack tables that allow players to double down after splitting are much more beneficial to the player. Playing at a table where doubling after a split is not allowed does alter your blackjack strategy. Let’s take a look at a few tactics you may want to consider, depending on the table you play at. Remember that splitting also depends on the dealer’s upcard, which plays a huge factor regardless of the type of table you play at.
Double After Split Tables:
- With a pair of twos/threes/sevens — When the dealer’s upcard ranges between two and seven.
- With a pair of fours — When the dealer’s upcard has a value of five or six.
- With a pair of fives/tens — Splitting is not favourable in this case.
- With a pair of sixes — Only when the dealer’s upcard ranges between two and six.
- Two eights — Always, except when the dealer holds an ace upcard on an H17.
- Two nines — When the dealer holds cards two through six, eight or nine.
- Two aces — Split pairs.
No Double After Split Tables (H17 — dealer hits on a soft 17):
- Pair of twos/threes — When the dealer’s cards include anything between a four and seven.
- Pair of fours/fives/tens — Never.
- Pair of sixes — When the dealer holds cards three to six.
- Pair of sevens — When the dealer holds cards two to seven.
- Pair of eights — Always, unless the dealer’s upcard is an ace and you can surrender.
- Pair of nines — When the dealer holds cards two through six, eight or nine.
- Pair of aces — Always.
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FAQ
⭐What is splitting in blackjack?
A split in blackjack is the act of splitting a hand into two for a chance of forming better hands.
⭐When should I split?
Deciding when to split a pair depends on the value of your hand as well as the rules of the game, the number of decks used and the upcard of the dealer. Whether the blackjack table allows players to double down after splitting or not is also a factor to consider.
⭐Are there instances where splitting is not favourable?
When Should You Split 10's In Blackjack
Yes. When obtaining two cards, like two fours, splitting might not be a good idea as all you run the risk of ending up with two weak hands that won’t beat the dealer. There are other instances where this could happen, so it will be helpful to do a little research before you play!
⭐Where can I play blackjack?
At EnergyCasino, of course! While we have loads of blackjack variants available, we also host tons of other Live Casino games. If these aren’t really up your ally, you could always try some of the thousands of amazing slot games in our selection. Enjoy fantastic gameplay while gaining bonuses, participating in tournaments and benefiting from our fantastic loyalty program!
For any decent strategist, blackjack is a game of situational decisions. One of these decisions, which most veterans will tell you never to make, is splitting 10s – especially when facing a 5 or 6 from the dealer.
However, casino gambling expert Mark Pilarski says there are actually a “few exceptions” to that rule.
Pilarski has a great deal of experience in the field of blackjack. He spent 18 years working for 7 different casinos. These days, however, Pilarski has left the commercial casino industry behind, instead working as a journalist. He has his own nationally syndicated column called Deal Me In, writes periodicals for numerous gaming magazines and sells his own award-winning series of Audio-Books called “Hooked on Winning”.
Continue reading to learn more about why Pilarski considers there are exceptions to this Golden Rule of Blackjack.
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Odds Of Winning When Splitting 10s – Should You Split?
Last week, Mark Pilarski tackled a tough subject when one of his readers, Herb C., asked the following question:
“I am aware that you never – ever – ever split 10s against a dealer’s 5 or 6. However, I have been tempted to do so when no one else is at the Blackjack table. My question is what is the percentage odds of winning (or losing) by doing so?”
When Should You Split 20 In Blackjack
Mark first addressed the blackjack strategy of John Scarne, who published ‘Scarne on Cards’ in 1949. Scarne felt that splitting 10s was a good strategy, but that was 65 years ago, before computers were able to analyze hand statistics. In 1962, Edward Thorpe used an IBM 704 to analyze blackjack hands, and when he published his results in ‘Beat the Dealer’, the theory of splitting 10s was abolished.
“Since then,” wrote Mark, “I can’t think of any blackjack authors that recommend splitting 10s in most, if not all, cases.” He said that he ran his own 20-million hand simulation on a program called BJ Trainer. The results “clearly favored leaving those 10s unaided versus splitting them, even against a 5 or a 6.” Pilarski reasoned, “I favor taking computer results over advice written in 1949 every time.”
Tips For Splitting 10s In Blackjack – The Exceptions
The blackjack strategist went on to describe a few very rare occasions when he himself felt it was in his best interest to split 10s in a blackjack game. The first is during a game of Face-Up 21, a blackjack variant in which both of the dealer’s cards are exposed.
- Mark said splitting 10s is a good strategy so long as the dealer’s confirmed total is “13, 14, 15 or 16.”
- Pilarski also noted that, for an experienced card counter, it is a good idea to split 10s against a dealer’s 6 if the count favors a lot of high cards left in the deck, such as a count of 6 or above.
Mark said that there is only “one other scenario where splitting 10s can be the better play than standing.” He described a situation which he himself experienced. It was the final hand of a blackjack tournament, and Pilarski had been dealt a 20. Although he knew the most probable way to win the hand was to stand, doing so “wouldn’t have won enough money to overtake” the dealer. So he chose to split the 10s and got lucky, winning enough chips to move on to the next round of the blackjack tournament.
Odds Of Winning Or Losing
As for Herb C’s original question, pertaining to the “percentage odds of winning or losing”, Mark said, “the statistical data on how often you will win when you split a pair of 10s against a dealer showing a 6 is 64% of the time.” Thus the expected profit would be just $56 for every $100 wagered on such a hand.
Mark then examined the odds of “standing pat on your 20”. The blackjack analyst said that, “by standing, you will win around 85 percent of the time, and will make about $14 more per $100 wagered than splitting.”
When Should You Split Cards In Blackjack
In conclusion, Mark Pilarski recommended that a blackjack player “stand on your 20” in all situations, outside of those “few exceptions” listed above.
“Your fair share of being dealt a 20 is approximately 9.2% of the time, and I just don’t want you putting that stellar hand in unwarranted jeopardy”, Pilarski wrote.
Split 10s And Win!
The Golden Rule is still to never split 10s when playing blackjack. However, as you’ve seen, there are a few very specific exceptions that could make splitting a sound choice.
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