Blackjack Strategy Split Cards
One aspect of the game that every blackjack player should know is how to properly split their pairs. Novice players often opt not to split them, and some split every pair they get. Both approaches are incorrect if you want to play optimum-strategy blackjack.
There are certain pairs to split and others that you don’t. Here are five rules you should follow if you want to play optimum strategy blackjack.
1. Splitting a pair of tens or face cards is never a good idea. Even against a dealer’s ace or low cards, it’s not the right move in the long run. Keep your 20 count and your winnings (most times).
2. Splitting a pair of fives is also a bad idea. They’re better played as a ten, and if you can double down with them it’s even better.
3. Always split a pair of aces; it’s the best split you can make. Some casinos will have weird rules around this play, so ask the dealer what policies that particular casino has for splitting aces.
4. Sixteen is the worst total that you can have on a blackjack table, so splitting a pair of eights is something you want to do every time. Turn them into a couple of hands of 18 or better.
5. When the dealer is showing a five or six, you can split any pair other than fives or sixes. The dealer is in a weak position, so it will pay to try and win as much money as possible in this situation. Even a pair of threes, fours or twos will often win against the dealer’s poor situation.
The only situation where this does not apply is when the dealer has a seven and you have a pair of nines or fours.
