Part 2 - Splitting Pairs in Blackjack

This is the second part in my series on splitting pairs in blackjack. Earlier this week I started off the series with Part 1 Split Blackjack Cards. Today I am going to discuss the strategy behind splitting pairs and when you should split your cards.

Part 2 – Strategy Behind Split Blackjack Cards

When you are dealt a pair of matching cards in blackjack, regardless of their suit, you are able to split the hand into two separate hands, and play each hand independently. Let's say you are dealt a pair of eights for a total of sixteen. Sixteen is the worst possible hand you be delt in blackjack, since it is unlikely to win as is, but is very likely to bust if you draw to it. Here's a great chance to improve your hand.

If you are playing a hand-held game, split your blackjack cards by turning the cards face-up in front of your bet just like a double down. Then, in either type of game, place a matching bet beside the original bet in the circle. Note that you must bet the exact same amount on a split, unlike a double-down, where you are allowed to double for less. The dealer will separate the two cards, and treat them as two independent hands. Let's say you draw a 3 on the first 8, for a total of 11. Many casinos will allow you to double down on that hand total of 11 at this point. When this is allowed, the rule is called "Double after Split", predictably enough. Regardless, you can play the first hand to completion, at which point the dealer will deal a second card to the second hand, and you can begin making play decisions on it.

If you receive additional pairs (in the first two cards of a hand), most casinos will allow you to re-split, making yet another hand. The most common rules allow a player to split blackjack hands up to 3 times, making 4 separate hands, with 4 separate bets. If double after split is allowed, you could have up to 8 times your initial bet on the table if you chose! Some casinos restrict re-splitting, and some allow unlimited splitting of blackjack cards. Another fine point is that you are allowed to split any 10-valued cards, so you could split a (Jack and Queen) hand. However, this is usually a bad play: Keep the 20 points.

The other complication for blackjack pair splits concerns splitting Aces. Splitting your Aces is a very strong player move, so the casino restricts you to drawing only one additional card on each Ace. Also, if you draw a ten-valued card on one of your split Aces, the hand is not considered a true Blackjack, but is instead treated as a normal 21, and therefore does not collect the 3:2 odds. Some casinos do allow re-splitting Aces if you draw another card, while many do not allow re-splitting Aces although they often allow re-splitting of any other pairs of cards. With these restrictions, you may wonder whether it is worth it to split Aces. The answer is a BIG YES. Always split pairs of Aces if you can.

For accurate pair splitting advice, consult the basic blackjack strategy chart I originally posted.

Stay tuned for my third and final installment of splitting blackjack cards.

Till then,

BJ