Blackjack Splitting

When you are online, or in a casino, playing blackjack, you will most likely be offered the option to split any pair. This opportunity may not be verbally offered to you, but in most cases, it is an option. It is always important to remember, every casino, live or online, has their own set of rules and policies, it is best to look in to the rules of the house you are playing against, before you play against them.

Basic Strategy For Splitting In Blackjack

Since we know basic strategy in blackjack is based upon calculated odds, we also know that there are better scenarios than others to decide to split your pair. It should also be noted, most casinos consider any two ten valued cards to be a pair, such as a jack and a queen, since they are both ten valued cards, a lot of casinos will allow you to split them, even though they are not a traditonal pair, like a pair of eights, or fours.

However, it is not in your best interest to split face cards, a twenty is a pretty good hand, splitting it is like trading a Cadillac, for two Yugos, as many players will tell you, if they see you splitting the hand.

When To Split Pairs In Blackjack

The best way to know for sure when the best opportunities are for splitting a pair, is to look in to a basic strategy. Basic Strategy cards are available, quite often in a casino gift shop, or online as well. It's the size of a credit card and sure offers up a lot of advice. Of course, just because you follow the advice of the card, does not mean everytime you split your pair, because the card told you to, that you will have an enjoyable outcome. Statistically, if you follow the chart on the card, you will do fine, over time, but who knows if you will win when you bet big, and lose when you bet small?

That's why I suggest playing the hand, not playing the money. That means, if you feel confident and place a big bet, but then get a pair of eights, you should not back down from splitting, just because you have a bigger bet to lose this time, the odds are the same for you, big bet or small.

A couple good examples of when to split, based on basic strategy, is to always split aces, no matter the up card of the dealer. Also, eights are a pair that is most often advised to split. The average player will split eights against a dealer's seven or smaller, some of those people will split against a dealer's eight, fewer will split against the house's nine, and it seems rare for people to bite it and split them against a face card or an ace. Myself, I tend to gamble and split the eights, against any up card the dealer is showing. A lot of people may advise you a lot of different ways to play a pair of eights, but I always recommend taking the advice of a basic strategy card, it was created by measuring odds.

I also suggest, however you decide to play the pair one time, it's best to stick with that method, everytime, consistency is the key to avoiding “Doh!” moments.