Knowing blackjack split rules and when to split in blackjack are one of the least understood parts of the game, even among experienced players.
Splitting pairs isn’t as exciting as doubling down, but it’s still a good opportunity to tilt the odds of blackjack in our favour and beat the dealer at their own game.
Luckily, it only takes a minute to learn when to split in blackjack!
What does split mean in blackjack?
When you play blackjack online or in a live casino, you’re dealt 2 cards face up. If you get dealt a pair – that’s 2 cards of the same value like 22 or KJ – blackjack rules give you the option to split them, for the cost of an extra bet.
Your cards now each become the first card of 2 new hands. And as everyone knows, 2 hands are better than 1! Just make sure you play ‘em well.
Here’s what happened when you are dealt a pair of eights. We pay an extra bet to split the pair, and the dealer literally splits them up, creating 2 separate hands.
Why would you split a pair?
Every rule in blackjack is there to help either the player or the house, and a good blackjack game will have a balance of both.
You can learn more on that in our Blackjack guide. Splitting is part of the player’s toolkit and it helps reduce the house edge by up to 0.40%.
There are 2 types of situation where splitting helps you out.
- The defensive play: Break up a pair with a bad total value into 2 cards with better scoring potential (e.g. a pair of 8s)
- The attacking play: Split a pair in order to get more money on the table against a weak dealer hand ( a pair of 4s versus dealer’s 6)
Splitting rules
At any online blackjack table, you will be allowed to split any 2 cards of the same value, and it will cost you the same amount as your original bet.
Blackjack splitting rules will normally allow you to split up to 3 times for a maximum of 4 hands, and you can double after any split card, known as the DAS rule.
When splitting Aces, you only get only 1 more card to go with each Ace. If that card’s a 10, the hand is worth 21. It does not count as Blackjack. Likewise, if you split Tens (nooooooo, don’t do it!), any Ace you get will not give you Blackjack.
Top 3 pairs to split in blackjack
Misplaying blackjack splits might only cost you less than half a percent of your RTP, but that all adds up over time. Memorize these popular plays and you’ll instantly play better when you play blackjack for real money online.
Eights
Your hand is worth 16, as bad as it gets. It’s obvious why you’d want to swop 16 for a couple of 8s against a dealer’s 6, for example. But against an Ace, it may seem crazy to get more chips in the middle. But the numbers tell us you’re better off in the long run even against an Ace.
Aces
When you get a pair of Sure, you only get 1 more card on each Ace and Tens won’t count as Blackjack. But right now your Aces are worth 2 or 12! Split ‘em and you’ve got two hands already worth 11. It’s the best possible up-card and it’s likely to get a lot better.
Nines
You should split a pair of Nines against anything except a 7, 10 or Ace. Your 18 is in great shape against a 7. Against a 10 or Ace, it’s best to stand and take your medicine. Against all other dealer cards, splitting Nines is the smart play as your 18 becomes two possible 19s.
Pairs you should never split in blackjack
We’ve shown you when to split in blackjack, but it’s just as important to show you when NOT to split, too! Splitting these pairs is a cardinal sin and will cost you dearly in the long run.
Tens
Some players get excited when they see a bad dealer card, but it’s a criminal play to give up a hand worth 20 that is in a very strong position to win at blackjack. The only exception to this rule is if you are card counting, as you may sometimes know when there are more Tens and Aces in the deck.
Fours or Fives
You’re breaking a good hand worth 8 or 10 to create hands that will probably end up closer to the deadly 16. Even if the dealer has a 6, don’t get tempted! It’s far better to double down instead.
Strategy chart for splitting
If you want to know exactly when to split or not to split in every possible scenario, a basic blackjack strategy chart is the place to go.
As we’ve already covered, splitting Aces and Eights is almost always a good play. But as you can see from this strategy chart for an 8 Deck S17 game, there are many more opportunities to split.
If you play blackjack regularly, it’s worth learning all of the blackjack split rules in this chart. Casinos love it when players don’t learn how to play blackjack perfectly or if they simply go off-piste sometimes, because every time you deviate from the correct split strategy, you are giving up a tiny advantage and increasing the house edge.
If you want to know more about blackjack strategy, watch this quick explainer!
Conclusion
So that’s blackjack splitting in a nutshell. It’s a blackjack rule that is beneficial for players, rather than restricting, so use it well when you get the chance. Splitting Aces is always good fun, splitting eights is a good way to get away from 16, and there are some aggressive splits in the strategy chart when the dealer’s upcard is weak. As long as you bet safely and practice good bankroll management, splitting should always been a chance for some fun and excitement.
FAQs
No, the dealer plays to a very limited set of playing rules. Depending on the value of their hand, they can only hit or stand. The dealer can never double or split, so when they deal themselves 9-9 or 10-10, they will stand. For all other pairs, they will hit.
How much money a split pair makes you depends on what the dealer has. But in general, even though you only get 1 more card, Aces are the best pair to split, as you start each new hand with 11 – the best possible starting value in blackjack.
One pair you should NEVER split in blackjack, whatever the dealer’s upcard, is a pair of tens (or any cards worth 10). This converts a hand worth 20 – the second highest score you can make – into two hands worth 10. The chances of both hands turning into 20 are small, so it’s always better to stick with the bird in the hand, rather than two in the bush!
In blackjack, if you are dealt two cards with the same value, you are allowed to ‘split’ them, for the price of one more bet. This turns a 2-card hand into two hands, where each card becomes the first card of a new hand. The dealer then deals a second card for each hand, and you play each hand in turn.
In blackjack terminology, splitting means turning one hand into two, and therefore you have to match your original stake so that both hands have an equal bet behind them. This is one reason I always make sure I have several bets in my stack, or that I lower my bet size so I am always happy to take opportunities to double or split when they come. Good bankroll management is part of playing smart and playing safely.
