Splitting is an interesting component of playing Blackjack that allows you to enter two hands in the same round if the first two cards in your initial hand are of the same value. So what is splitting, when can you do it and when should you? Read on to find out.
Common Blackjack Split Rules Allowed to split twice (up to three hands). You can split non identical 10 value cards. Splits Aces cannot be re-split. In blackjack, the action for a double-down is exactly the same as the action for a split. This is usually not a problem if you are either doubling down or splitting. However, if you want to double down on a pair, you will need to let the dealer know that you are doubling down and not splitting the pair. All basic blackjack strategy cards have information on when a player should double down and split their hand. This extra bet amounts will help players maximize returns and lower the house edge for the casino. For the normal game of blackjack, the player is only allowed to double down, or split pairs, or surrender (if the house allows this option) after the first two cards are dealt. If the player instead decides to hit and ask for an extra card -with the option of asking for more - then the player gives up their right to double down or split since.
What is splitting in Blackjack?
A player can split in a round of Blackjack if their opening two cards are of the same value. This means any pair from Ace through to nine and any two cards valued at ten (for instance, a ten and a Queen).
If a player decides to split, they must place a second bet for that round of the same value as their original bet, essentially doubling their stake. The two cards are then treated as the first card of two new independent hands that are played out separately. Should one of these hands become a pair, the player is allowed to split again and enter a third hand whilst tripling their stake, and so on.
Generally, you are allowed to hit or double down on a split hand, with the exception of if you have split two Aces, in which case the two hands are often not allowed to consist of more than two cards. In some cases, a Blackjack achieved on a split hand will not count as such, and simply be valued at 21.
In a game of Blackjack, opportunities to split will likely be rare. You have an approximate 0.5% chance of getting any pair from Aces to nines in your opening two cards, and a 9.4% probability of getting two cards valued at ten.
When to split in Blackjack
It is arguably universally agreed that there are two scenarios in which you should always split: if you have a pair of Aces or a pair of eights.
You must carefully consider if you are going to split in Blackjack.
While you are likely to be prohibited to getting only one more card on two split Aces, this nonetheless presents two separate opportunities to get Blackjack. There will be an approximate 30.4% chance of a hand starting on an Ace getting Blackjack, equating to a 51.6% probability that at least one of your two hands will do so.
Meanwhile, a pair of eights presents a value of 16. This is widely considered to be the weakest opening hand in Blackjack, by virtue of the fact it is one beneath the minimum value of 17 that the dealer is required to finish on (meaning it is always likely to lose) but has a significant risk of going bust when hitting. Splitting a pair of eights averts this problem.
For a pair of nines, you should split in all circumstances unless the dealer’s face up card is a seven, worth ten or an Ace, in which case you should stand. If the dealer’s face up card is a seven, the most likely outcome is that their second card will be worth ten, meaning they will be forced to finish the round with a hand worth 17, less than your hand’s value of 18.
If the face up card is worth ten or an Ace then they have a chance to get Blackjack, meaning standing on a value of 18 is the option that presents the best chance of winning.
With the exception of pairs of fives, for pairs between two and seven you should look to split when the dealer’s face up card is certain values between two and seven and they are at the greatest risk of going bust. The information discussed in the last few paragraphs is summarised in the table below:
Blackjack splitting strategy
NB: This table assumes four to eight decks in play and that the dealer hits on a soft 17.
When not to split in Blackjack
Under no circumstances should you split on a pair of tens. An opening hand worth 20 is very strong and can only be beat by a Blackjack or a three-card hand worth 21, and the dealer has just an approximate 12.2% chance of getting this in any given round. When splitting a pair of tens, you are likely to end up with two separate hands both worth less than 20, essentially spurning a strong opportunity to win the round by putting yourself at risk of doubling your losses.
You should also never split on a pair of fives. In this situation, the best approach is to double down, as this will provide an approximate 53.8% chance of finishing your turn with a strong hand containing a value of 18 or higher. The exception here is if the dealer’s face up card is worth ten or an Ace and they therefore have a chance to get Blackjack, at which point you should hit.
For pairs of twos, threes and sevens you should not split if the dealer’s face up card is at least an eight, and for pairs of fours and sixes you should not split if the dealer’s face up card is at least a seven. For pairs of fours, you should also never split if the dealer’s face up card is beneath five, at which point they have a plausible opportunity to build a high value hand via three cards.
Enhance your Blackjack strategy
If you’re looking for general advice on how to play Blackjack, read our guide to Blackjack. If you want to learn more on how to inform your Blackjack strategy, remember to read our articles on how to double down and surrender, alongside how to place a side bet and insurance bet.
We also have an article outlining an advanced Blackjack strategy. If you want to learn more about Blackjack beyond how to play the game, you can read about the history of Blackjack.
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Double down in blackjack is considered to be one of the most well-known options which are available to the blackjack players. There are only a handful number of aspects in blackjack is going to offer you the same thrill as doubling down the original wager and securing a good profit. Even new players know about this feature and they tend to wait on eagerly for the hands to qualify.
Like the other player options which are available in blackjack, the option can prove to be really profitable if used in the right manner. However, what’s unfortunate is that the players do not really how the doubling works.
Double Down: What is it?
In blackjack, double down is when you actually double the wager when you get the first two cards. As the cards are dealt out, you will have the option if permitted by the rule. In case you win the bet, you will win double your actual wager.
Rules
The rules pertaining to doubling down will differ from one casino to the other. Hence, it is better to find out about the house rules in regards prior to sitting down to play.
These days in the majority of the casinos, the player will be allowed to double down on 2 original cards. In fact, there are some casinos which will allow you to double down blackjack. The rule is applicable whether you are playing online or live. There are few gambling dens which will restrict it to a hard total of 9, 10, or 11. Here, you will be able when the first two cards will together make these amounts.
In most of the US online casinos, you will be also be allowed when you receive a splitting pair. Again, there are some that do not permit this. Thus, it is better to check the casino rules.
Few casinos enable you to double for less, meaning that the wager is half of the actual betting amount.
Tips
If you have to show that you want to play that move, you need to place chips less or equal to the actual wager on the table. This is the method to double. The dealer will come to know that you would like to double and is going to deal with you with another card.
A significant thing that you need to remember when you double down the pair is to say ‘double’ or ‘double down’ when you place the bet. This way the dealer is not going to make the mistake it as a wish to split the pair. The reason is that the action to double and split is almost the same. Make sure that you tell the dealer that you want to make that move when you get a pair.
In case you are playing live blackjack over the internet then you should just click on Double Down and the bet is going to be placed.
The strategy of Double Down in Blackjack
Blackjack players strongly believe that you have to double down a total of eleven. With this, there is a good chance that you will get 10 with 21 as total. Veterans, as well as beginners, tend to DD at 11. However, the question is this the right play?
Generally, this is the right play. However, people who do not know how to count cards will know that you one rule fits all solution in regards to blackjack. Experienced players, who know how to count, will count for deciding if they should go this way or not, even when they have a total of 11.
In case the deck has a negative count then doubling down on any kind of total is going to result in a disaster. If the deck is negative, there are going to be more low cards in a particular deck. Thus, it means that the additional card that you get on 11 might be 4, 5, or 6. When the dealer shows 10, it is going to prove problematic for you. However, if the count is positive, a veteran player will use the option an extensive range of hands. This is because he is aware of the fact that there greater number of tens present in the deck. He will have an opportunity to make 21 from 11 or even a 20 from 10.
The primary doubling down strategy is, in case you can count cards; let the cards decide if or not you will double as per the basic strategy you are going to employ. In case you are a newbie with no experience at all, take a look at the basic rules,
- Make sure to double down a hard of eleven.
- Double down a hard total of ten against 4, 5, and 6 of the dealer.
- Double down hard total 9 against 5 or 6 of the dealer.
You need to abide by these rules till you know how to count cards. As soon as you learn how to count, you will have more opportunities to double down.
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