Knowing the basic terms and rules is crucial when playing blackjack, as this is a game that relies more on skill and knowledge than on luck. If players’ first priority is to win, they should familiarise themselves with all of them in order to understand how the game works and gain an advantage over the casino.
In this way, players will genuinely increase their chances of winning, as they will be able to grasp the essence of the game. For this reason, every term should be thoroughly understood, because during the course of play gamblers often need to make decisions in the blink of an eye.
Definition of Splitting Pairs
One of the moves players can make is called splitting. It is available when players are dealt two cards of the same value. In this case, gamblers may split them to form two separate hands, and the dealer will deal a new card to each hand.
To split a pair, players must place a second bet equal to their original wager. Unlike doubling down, you cannot split for less than your initial bet. The dealer will automatically deal one additional card to each split hand.
The two hands are treated independently, which means that players can lose the first hand and win the second. Splitting enables gamblers to turn one potentially losing hand into two that can win; if the dealer busts, they can double their profits.
Splitting Pairs Signal
Although many gamblers are familiar with most of the basic rules and terms, they sometimes do not know how to indicate them correctly. The importance of the appropriate gesture should never be underestimated, as using the wrong signal can cause misunderstandings and future losses for players who unintentionally mislead the dealer.
Moreover, it not only looks bad, but also betrays the players’ attitude towards the game and their own money. Such players might as well be giving their money away.
The correct procedure is simply to place a second bet, equal in value to the initial wager, next to it. In addition, players should form their fingers into the letter V and point at the chips.
Some experts recommend accompanying the hand signal with a verbal declaration to prevent the dealer from misunderstanding your intentions. Just make sure you speak loudly and clearly enough to avoid any confusion. In games dealt from four to eight full decks, players are forbidden to touch either their original bet or the cards on the table. When splitting, you must place a matching wager next to your initial bet; do not stack it on top of the chips you have already posted.
The reason is that the casino might perceive it as an attempt to cheat by changing the amount of the original bet or tampering with the cards. Different casinos accept and prefer different gestures; some permit only specific ones. Players should therefore familiarise themselves with the house rules beforehand to ensure they are using the correct signals.
The protocol for splitting differs in single-deck and double-deck blackjack, where the dealer holds the pack(s) in their hand and pitches the cards towards players during the initial deal. One crucial difference is that the players’ cards are dealt face down. You may touch them to see your total, but only with one hand and without lifting them from the table.
The signal for splitting in hand-held games coincides with that for doubling down. In other words, you must lightly toss your cards face up onto the felt and then place the additional wager required for the split.
Reasons to Split
Players should split under the same circumstances as they double down – whenever the dealer is in a disadvantageous position. You should play more aggressively when the dealer is in a bad spot, as this enables you to capitalise on their weakness, winning two or sometimes more bets within a single round.
Because the same principle applies to both moves, they are often confused, and many gamblers struggle to make up their minds. As with any other move, splitting does not guarantee that the dealer will give you favourable cards; it simply offers the chance to make a better profit by exploiting the situation.
However, splitting is not always an offensive move intended solely for profit maximisation. Basic strategy recommends certain pair splits as a defensive play. This can help players reduce their losses when they are at a disadvantage against dealers with strong upcards. Another reason to split a pair is to turn a losing hand into a potentially winning one.
Nowadays, most casinos allow multiple splitting options and it is crucial for players to know exactly when to act, as an ill-timed split can put them at a disadvantage. Gamblers should split only when the resulting hands have a greater chance of achieving a better total than the cards originally dealt.
Doubling Down
Splitting Pairs
Blackjack Basic Strategy
Blackjack Hand 8 or 9
Blackjack Hand 10 or 11
The Right Strategy For Splitting
It is essential for players to know when to take advantage of this move and when to avoid it. To provide a better understanding, we will look at different situations in which it is advisable to split.
For instance, splitting is recommended when players hold a pair of 2s or 3s and the dealer shows a two through seven. The same applies to a pair of 6s against a dealer’s three through six, and to a pair of 7s against a two through seven.
The same goes for players holding a pair of 9s when the dealer shows a three through nine. Conversely, those with a pair of 5s or 10s should avoid splitting altogether.
As with the correct plays for standing, doubling, and hitting, pair splitting is influenced by the specific conditions of a blackjack variation. The optimal moves depend on factors such as the number of decks, the dealer rules, and, perhaps most importantly, the availability or absence of doubling after a split (DAS).
This is because players encounter more mathematically optimal splits when DAS is available, and fewer when the rules prohibit doubling after a split (NDAS).
For example, splitting 2s and 3s is recommended in DAS games against a dealer’s 2 or 3. The same applies to a pair of 4s when the dealer shows a 5 or 6, and to paired 6s against a deuce when DAS is available. Under NDAS rules, all these pairs should be hit rather than split.
Pairs of 5s and 10s
Basic strategy is unequivocal about how one should handle paired 5s. This pair should never be split, regardless of deck number, dealer rules, or DAS availability. Yet many misguided players choose to split it, particularly when the dealer shows a weak face-up card such as 5 or 6. In reality, breaking up a starting total of 10 is a terrible play, no matter what upcard the dealer shows.
There are several reasons for this, beginning with the fact that 10 is a very strong starting total. Players actually have an edge with 5s against a dealer’s 6, and basic strategy recommends a more aggressive approach in this situation.
The correct play for this pair is to double down when the dealer shows upcards 2 through 9, and to hit against strong upcards 10 and ace. Splitting, followed by standing (another nonsensical play), yields the lowest expectation for basic-strategy players. The figures below correspond to games where the dealer stands on all 17s, DAS is allowed, splitting is limited to a maximum of four hands, and neither resplitting nor hitting split aces is permitted.
Hitting 5s against a 6 yields an expected return of 0.2877, or nearly £0.29 for every pound wagered in this situation. By contrast, the expected return for doubling on this pair against the same dealer upcard climbs to 0.5755, or roughly £0.58 per unit wagered. Splitting the pair of 5s lags far behind with a significantly lower expectation of 0.0454, or around £0.10 for the two hands combined.
The EV remains positive because the player still has an advantage with 5s against a dealer’s 6. Unlike the dealer, who must draw to at least 17 and therefore risks busting, a player who starts two new hands with 5 can stop drawing if the next cards produce an unfavourable total.
The bottom line is you should never split 5s, because doing so significantly reduces your expectation; this poor play will cost you money in the long run. Follow basic strategy and you will preserve a healthy bankroll.
Another pair you should never split consists of two ten-value cards, such as 10-10, K-Q, J-J, Q-J, or 10-K, which give a solid total of 20. Rookie players often repeat the same mistake here as with a pair of 5s.
They split the 10s when the dealer appears vulnerable with a 5 or 6. As with splitting 5s, the play may yield a positive expectation in isolation but will ultimately cost you over the long haul. Basic strategists should always stand on paired 10s, no matter how weak the dealer’s upcard is.
The saying ‘Only idiots and card counters split tens’ could not be truer. Card counters may indeed perform this stunt because they can identify the rare situations in which splitting this hand gives them an edge. Unless you count cards, you should never do it.
Pairs of Aces and 8s
A hard total of 16 is the worst possible position a blackjack player can find themselves in. It is a terrible hand that is bound to lose more often than it wins and yields a negative expectation regardless of how it is played. Many players know this, which is why they choose not to split pairs of 8s against strong upcards 9 through ace. Their reasoning is that splitting 8s might give you two lousy hands instead of one, and indeed, sometimes you will end up losing both splits.
Nevertheless, basic strategy recommends that you split 8s against all upcards. This is a defensive play: you will still incur losses in the long term, but you will lose less money by splitting than by making any other move. A hard 16 is a terrible hand to hit because you stand a decent chance of busting with the next card.
Standing on 16 against strong upcards is also a poor idea because the dealer’s probability of outdrawing you is higher. Meanwhile, splitting slightly improves your chances, as you start two new hands with an 8 each. If you lose one split and win the other, you essentially break even for that round.
Occasionally, you will receive aces, deuces, or 3s next to your 8s, transforming a terrible total of 16 into two very strong two-card hands. The expected return for standing with 8s against a dealer’s ten is -0.540430, whereas hitting is only marginally better at -0.539826.
However, splitting the 8s cuts your losses to -0.480686 per unit wagered, making it the optimal play against a dealer showing a ten-value card. The same tendency holds against all other dealer upcards, regardless of their value.
From a basic strategy perspective, splitting serves a two-fold purpose: it reduces your losses when holding 16 and gives you the chance to improve your position by starting two hands with a better total of 8.
With this in mind, there is only one exception in which splitting is no longer the optimal play. In multiple-deck and double-deck blackjack where the dealer must hit soft 17, you will save more money by surrendering rather than splitting. Of course, if surrender is not permitted by the house rules, you should still split.
Aces are another pair basic strategists must always split, with no exceptions, regardless of deck number or the dealer’s standing rules. The difference here is that splitting aces is an offensive rather than a defensive move. A pair of aces is a soft hand valued as either 12 or 2, and either total is a poor way to start.
Splitting, however, gives you the opportunity to start two powerful hands with a total of 11 each. It yields the highest expectation for the player compared with any other option. You can increase your gains by never deviating from this rule. Split aces are so advantageous that most casinos impose restrictions on them, as we shall see later.
Re-Splitting and Other Common Variations in Splitting Rules
Each variation of 21 has its own rules regarding the splitting of pairs. What is allowed at one table may be prohibited at another. Regardless of the exact rules, players can make this play only on their initial two-card total; they cannot split after choosing to hit, for example. Splitting is a powerful decision, so much so that its availability reduces the house edge by 0.57%.
We advise you to familiarise yourself with the exact rules for pair splitting before selecting a new blackjack variation. Online players can check the Help section of their chosen blackjack game, where they will find detailed information about the rules, including those for splitting.
Resplitting
Most blackjack variants allow players to split up to three times, for a maximum of four hands in a single round. If players are deprived of the option to resplit, they are put at a disadvantage, increasing the casino’s edge by 0.10%. It is estimated that restricting resplits costs players about a dollar for every 100 hands. For this reason, it is advisable to play at a casino that allows resplits.
When players wish to resplit, they should apply the same strategy and rules. Whenever it is correct to split in the first place, it is usually correct to resplit as well. They must ensure they follow their strategy precisely and understand why splitting is appropriate.
Restrictions on Pairs of Aces
We have already touched upon this rule, but let us expand further. Splitting aces is highly advantageous for players, so casinos naturally impose restrictions in an attempt to offset the edge it provides. Players are commonly prohibited from resplitting aces, which increases the house edge by 0.08%.
Some establishments go even further and prohibit the splitting of aces altogether, boosting their advantage over players by 0.18%. If the move is allowed, each split ace receives no more than one card, and the hand automatically stands afterwards regardless of its total. This makes sense, considering that allowing further draws to split aces would reduce the house edge by 0.19%.
If a split ace catches a ten-value card, this counts as a regular total of 21, not as a blackjack. The same applies if an ace lands next to a split ten, but this is nothing to worry about, given that basic strategists should never split tens in the first place.
Therefore, two-card hands that add up to 21 following a split pay even money instead of the bonus payout for blackjacks. If they paid at blackjack odds, players would enjoy a house edge reduction of 0.21% at 3-to-2 tables and 0.11% in games that use the lower odds of 6-to-5.
No Splitting of Unlike Tens
Some blackjack variations also prohibit players from splitting ten-value cards of unlike ranks. Tens may be split only if they are of the same denomination, such as J-J, K-K, Q-Q, or 10-10. Such restrictions are of no concern to basic-strategy players.
If anything, they partially minimise the damage for those who occasionally violate the ‘never split tens’ rule. The main purpose of this limitation is to deter card counters, who can split tens at an advantage when they identify favourable situations.
Rare Splitting Rule Variations
In addition to the rule variations discussed above, we have come across some other interesting splitting options. Although these are not particularly common, you might encounter a blackjack table that features them and be tempted to give it a try. We briefly explain each of them below.
- No Ace Splits – some casinos do not allow blackjack players to split aces. This is not favourable from the players’ perspective.
- Multiple draw after split Aces – usually, one card is dealt to each split hand after splitting aces. However, under this rule players are allowed additional draws.
- Split any time – under this rule, blackjack devotees can split a hand even after drawing additional cards. The only condition is that the hand must contain at least two cards of the same value.
- Split any 16 – this option is quite beneficial to players as it allows them to split any total of 16.
- Discard Split – as the name suggests, discard split provides players with the opportunity to surrender a hand after splitting.
- No 4, 5, or 10 splits – This UK rule forbids players from splitting a pair of 4s, 5s, or 10s.
Conclusion
Splitting is one of the most common moves players make. For this reason, they must know when to split and when to avoid the move. Because of the numerous options, many gamblers become confused and struggle to decide. Splitting is a great opportunity to increase profit during the game, provided you know when to use it. Gamblers should remember to split only when the dealer is in an unfavourable position.