What Cards Do You Split In Blackjack

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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.

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. You can split in the game of Blackjack when the cards that you are holding match each other. You can also sometimes split when the cards have equal value. Some casinos permit you to split any two face cards even if these two face cards do not match each other (i.e. Two Queens just of a different suit). Even a complete novice can understand blackjack split rules in just a few minutes. All you have to do is remember how many points each card could bring, which just requires a simple calculation. Players must remain attentive and vigilant in order to properly track each card. You must put in.

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 Cards Do You Split In Blackjack

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

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

What

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.

When To Split Blackjack

What

Splitting 5's

What Cards Should You Split In Blackjack

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.

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.

What Cards Do You Split In Blackjack

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.

Splitting Face Cards

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.

Doubling your winning odds by splitting a pair can give you a truly nice advantage, but only if done in accordance with the basic strategy rules. If you are new to Blackjack, splitting certain pairs and thus actually reducing your chances of beating the house is a common mistake, often made by of all those who prefer following a jungle path instead of employing a certain structure to their gameplay.

Blackjack

What Is Splitting and How Does It Work?

The move is obviously not obligatory and you could very well just skip it, but a weak hand can be significantly improved when the cards are separated, whereas a hand that’s already strong can potentially generate two winning hands – all the more reason to split and gain an advantage over the casino.

If playing online, any dealt pair will automatically trigger the option to split, which the player can either select or disregard. Choosing to split will immediately separate your two cards and they will be played independently – this means that you will draw the cards for each of the hands individually and potentially win or lose on both hands at the same time.

What Cards Do You Split In Blackjack

Split

When to Avoid Splitting Your Pair in Blackjack?

There are some limitations applied to card splitting which are not related to the game strategy, but rather with the rules imposed by the casino. Most casinos allow the players to split the hand twice, whereas the split Aces cannot be re-split. According to the house rules, once the Aces are separated only one card can be drawn for each of the two new hands. Whether or not the player will be able to Double Down after a split depends on the casino since not all operators will permit it.

The second stage of splitting is deciding if the move will be beneficial. According to the basic Blackjack strategy, a pair of 5s should never be separated – keeping them together is a terrific chance to Double Down and acquire a stronger hand, like 18 or up. Should you decide to split this pair, a hand with a higher probability of busting could be dealt, the so-called “stiff” Blackjack hand.

Splitting a pair of 4s will be conditioned by the casino’s policy on Doubling Down. If you are allowed to do it, creating two separate hands out of a pair of 4s (if the dealer’s up card is 4 – 6) would be a good idea since there is a great chance of being hit with an Ace, 5, 6, or 7.

The same rule can be applied to a pair of 2s and 3s – split them if the casino approves the Double Down move. Otherwise, keep them together.

A pair of 10s should always be left intact as this hand is very likely to win, being the closest to 21 without busting.

When Should I Split?

For the most part, the dealer’s up card will guide your decision and ultimately affect your final move.
A pair of 9s, for example, should always be split unless the dealer holds a 7. There is a decent chance that the dealer will end up with a hard 17 and your 18-hand will win.

Splitting your 8s is unfortunately not that simple but a lot of players will do it since this hand can easily bust or lose if kept together. Ideally, if the hand is split, it will either amount to 19 or 20 after a couple of draws or result in a push.

What Cards Should You Always Split In Blackjack

When the dealer has a 2 – 7 card, it is highly recommended to split your 6s and 7s. The idea here is to avoid busting (which is likely to happen with these two pairs) and to benefit from the likelihood of the dealer’s forming a “stiff” hand.