Blackjack Strategy: When to Split Your Cards

Blackjack is a popular card game that you can play in an online casino, in a land-based gambling hall, and even at home with friends. The main goal of blackjack is to get cards that add up to “21” points in your hand. This will make you the clear winner.

The number of points may be less than “21”, but they must be more than the dealer’s hands. Otherwise, the victory will be counted for the croupier.

Split in blackjack is one of the important tools during the competition with the dealer. A well-timed split will help you increase your chances of winning. Today we will tell you what a split is and in what situations it is advisable to use it.

What Is a Split in Blackjack?

Whether you play blackjack for real money online or in a land-based casino, it is significant to learn the rules for splitting cards. Split assumes that the player has two cards of the same value. In this case, you can request that these cards be split into different hands and receive another additional card from the dealer.

There is one more condition for the split. To request it, you need to make an additional bet equal to the original one.

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The following cards are subject to mandatory splitting. The split will help you increase your chances of winning.

Aces

Several cards at once count as “10” points in the game. Therefore, it is advisable to divide the collected aces into two hands. Without division, one card will be awarded 1 point and the second—11 points.

The probability of hitting a blackjack with such a set will be extremely low. To win, the croupier must give you a card, “9”, the number of points corresponding to the face value. If the dealer gives you “10”, the aces will have to be counted as units—the sum of the points on the hands will be “12.”

Eights

Two eights on hand are not the most favorable situation. Whether you split your original hand, an 8 is considered bad.

If you keep two eights in your hands without splitting, your further field of action will be somewhat limited. Any card with more than “5” points will result in your loss. And here, the cards in the hands of the dealer will have absolutely no meaning.

In the event of a split, you will get a more competitive hand, increasing your chances of winning.

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There are also combinations of cards in gambling that should never be separated. If you have already collected them on your hands, leave everything as it is.

Dozens

Two tens in hand give a total of “20” points. This favorable situation gives you a good chance of beating the dealer.

There is a minimal chance that after the split, you will be able to collect “21” in your hands. But you can get a shortfall with a very high probability.

Fours

When the first two cards dealt by the dealer are fours, you can collect up to 19 points. And this is not the worst outcome at all.

You can reduce your chances of a positive outcome by splitting fours. Only five, six, and seven can improve your initial result.

Fives

The sum of points on cards from two fives is “10”. The combination is not the most successful, but we cannot call it bad. If the dealer does not have a nine, ten, or ace in hand, we advise you to double your initial bet, as your chances of winning are incredibly high.

What Else to Look when to Split in Blackjack

The need for splitting in a card game should also be assessed depending on the dealer’s open card. In this case, the following options are possible:

1. You have a 2, 3, or 7 in your hand; the dealer’s up card is from 2 to 7. With such cards, you have a very high chance of ruin. By splitting, you are more likely to improve your chances of winning.
2. You have two nines in your hand, and the dealer’s up card is from 2 to 6, 8, or 9. 18 points give good chances to win, but this combination is easy to beat. Splitting the cards and increasing your chances of winning would be more expedient.
3. You have two sixes in your hand; the dealer’s up card is from 2 to 6. If you split sixes in this case, you will have a much better chance of beating the dealer. Splitting allows you to get an extra ten in your hand, so your position will be more profitable than the dealer’s.

Conclusion

Splitting often helps improve your chances of winning blackjack. At the same time, it is essential to evaluate all the factors so as not to worsen your current situation.