Splitting Pairs in Blackjack

Pair Splitting in Blackjack

In Blackjack, splitting is a move that allows a player who received a pair to split it into two separate hands with their own lifecycle.

Among the four main strategies of Blackjack, splitting a pair is a game-changing move. When a player receives an initial hand with 2 cards of the same face value, then the player has the opportunity to split that pair and receive a new card separately on both hands by the dealer. 

Although splitting is a wonderful strategy, it is useful only when used at the right time with the right pair in the right move! Basic strategy and counter handling are the two most important concepts to win Blackjack. You have to consider many factors before splitting, which would reward you a winning move.

Blackjack Pair Splitting Rules

To opt for one of the tricky tools of Blackjack; splitting, you have to follow some basic rules.

• Put an additional bet equal to the initial bet amount for splitting the pair.
• During an Ace splitting, follow the house-rule. You can hit only once after splitting an ace.
• Only similar rank cards can be split. For, e.g. 10 and 10 can be split, but a queen and jack can't be.

When To Split Pairs in Blackjack

What matters the most in splitting is a favourable chance with favourable pair. Splitting in Blackjack is not always a winning move.

Splitting a pair relies on certain circumstances:

• the dealer's hand,
• your pair's rank,
• the bet's size,
• and luck!

Therefore, you must be crystal clear with your probability of winning a split. If you are doing card counting, that tally will come in handy to decide whether to split a pair or not. There are certain pairs which you should never miss to split regardless of what the dealer's hand is. They are statistically more likely to bring you a profit over the course of time.

It can take some time to memorize the scenarios when and what hand to split in blackjack. Fortunately, there are blackjack strategy charts you can consult frequently when playing a game.

Always Split

Eights - This is one of the worst hands in Blackjack. However, you can turn this hand to be most useful too.

Without splitting, any card with a face value above 5 would bring a huge loss to you. But by splitting, you could find an additional card constituting a hand close to 21.

Aces - A pair of ace together make one ace of face value 11 and another of 1. If you don't split, then you need a hit of 9 to increase your probability of winning.

However, 10 has the most probability to come. So splitting is the best option; an ace and a card with a face value of 10 would reward you 21!

Never Split

Fives - A pair of 5 opens up the opportunity for a double down. Together they make 10, so never split them. Splitting would give you only lower value face cards. Splitting fives is useful when the dealer has an ace, 9, or 10.

Tens - You have got a master hand, then why even think of splitting? This time you should stand and wait for the dealer's move. Don't hit, split, or double down as it would only worsen the situation.

Fours - Why split when you already have a score of 8? This time you should opt for hitting, as the maximum face value you might achieve is 19. Splitting with fours offers the least probability of any profit.

Split Based on the Dealer's Card

Dealer's up card is from 2 to 7

In this situation, if you have a pair of 2♠, 3♠, or 7♠, splitting is the best option to escape yourself from a bust. These pairs possess great potential to bust in just one or more hits. It's wise to split them at first glance itself.

Dealer's up card is from 8 to 9

In this situation, if you have a pair of 9, then hitting could be the most disastrous move ever. Together it makes a winning hand of 18. However, splitting is a great option when the dealer has these face-up cards.

Dealer's up card is from 2 to 6

This time if you have a pair of 6, then go for splitting without any doubt. Together it would not offer much probability of winning, but splitting allows a big face value. On the other hand, dealers have a high chance to bust.

Benefits of Splitting Pairs

Mathematicians introduced this technique to lower the house edge. Splitting enhances the chance of winning when you only need a kick to win. When all the hands are odd for you, it reduces your amount of loss. Apart from this, it offers an additional opportunity to try your luck once more in the manner you want. Let's grab this mathematical logic through the following points.

Maximizing profits

Let's assume a blackjack table with eight decks. In case you are having a pair of 9, and the dealer shows 6, still, you have high chances of winning without splitting. But, if you split, it might reduce the chances of winning but would maximize the value of profits. And if you win, you would earn much more profit than the offered chance

Minimize losses

Suppose this time the player has a pair of 7 and dealer's up card with face value 2. Now, you are not in a great position to win. But the dealer has a high chance of winning. This is the best time to split as it would further the chance of winning and minimize the loss amount.

Convert losing hands to winning ones

In case the dealer has a six and yours is a pair of 7, the probability of winning at both ends is almost equal. Then splitting is a good option, as you don't have much advantage with 7♠. This would turn your losses to profit by opening greater options for winning without going bust.