Blackjack How To Split
In this video we cover the options in the game of Blackjack of Doubling Down and Splitting your hands., as well as when it is best to use these tactics. Splitting 10s in Double Exposure Blackjack The first case where splitting a hand of 10’s is okay is in Double Exposure Blackjack. Also known as Face-Up blackjack, playing Double Exposure blackjackwill allow you to split a hand of 10’s. This variantof the game diverges significantly from standard blackjack as all the cards are dealtface up.
Blackjack is the most popular casino table game of all drawing in countless numbers of hungry players both in the brick and mortar casino, and in online casinos.
Are you a player who is knowledgeable about blackjack strategy? In this article, we detail the basic blackjack strategy charts and provide you with other handy tips to give you the best possible chance of leaving the casino – physical or virtual – in profit.
Basic Blackjack Terms
As with every classic casino table game, there is a lot of lingo thrown about which might sound double Dutch to novice blackjack players. What on earth does it all mean?
Ultimately, you will become more familiar with all the blackjack lingo as you develop your game, whether that is in the brick and mortar casino or at an online casino.
Nonetheless, we have listed some handy basic blackjack terminology below:
- Stand. The player stays with the cards they were dealt
- Hit. The player is dealt another card, and they can be dealt more if they wish. If the total of the cards exceeds 21 at any point, the player is bust and loses the hand
- Surrender. This is where the player gives up half his bet to forfeit the hand
- Double down. The player doubles their original bet and is dealt one more card, and it can only be one
- Split. If a player is dealt a pair (two 4s for example), or two ten-valued cards, such as a queen and a king, the player can split those cards into two different hands. The player is then dealt another card to each hand. The player must make a second bet of equal value to the first to use the split
- Hard hand. A hand without an ace
- Soft hand. A hand with an ace
Blackjack Strategy Chart
The first thing to get to grips with is ‘basic strategy’ which is probably the most essential ingredient of blackjack strategy.
The basic strategy detailed below is based on blackjack games played with 4 or more decks. Essentially, the basic strategy is a template which shows you the best course of action to take based on the cards dealt.
The below chart: Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart
More Blackjack Tips
The tables above are based on the standard blackjack rulesets. However, there are many different variations of blackjack both in physical casinos and in the online casino landscape.
These variations have different rulesets, so be mindful of the fact that some of the strategies above may not directly apply to the particular blackjack game you are playing.
In fact, the most useful thing you can do is check the specific ruleset of the blackjack game you are playing as soon as you sit down at the table.
Here are some general pointers and questions to keep in mind when playing your particular game of blackjack:
- How many decks are used?
- Are surrenders permitted and are they early or late ones?
- Are there any restrictions on double downs?
- Are there rules regarding splits?
- Is the dealer obliged to hit on a soft 17?
Here are some extra tips which relate to any blackjack game:
- Do not take on any side bets
- Don’t take insurance. This is a side bet which can be placed if the dealer’s face card is an Ace to ‘insure’ you against the dealer having a blackjack. In reality, the odds are stacked against you and it is not worth taking this bet up
- If it is not possible to split your pair, treat your pair as a hard hand
Basic Blackjack Strategy Guide
The charts above may look a bit intimidating and confusing if you are seeking a simple strategy to take to the blackjack table. However, there is a simpler method you can use to memorise the general points of the blackjack strategy above.
Also, you won’t be surprised to hear that in brick and mortar casinos you won’t exactly be welcomed with open arms into a casino if you rock up with these charts in hand.
The majority of casinos simply won’t allow you to enter with these kinds of guides. So, here are simplified guides of the charts above:
Player’s Hand Dealer’s Upfacing Card
HARD | 2 – 6 | 7 – A |
4 – 8 | H | H |
9 | D | H |
10 – 11 | D with more than dealer | D with more than dealer |
12 – 16 | S | H |
17 – 21 | S | S |
Player’s Hand Dealer’s Upfacing Card
SOFT | 2 – 6 | 7 – A |
13 – 15 | H | H |
16 – 18 | D | H |
19 – 21 | D | S |
Player’s Hand Dealer’s Upfacing Card
SPLITS | 2 – 6 | 7 – A |
22, 33, 66, 77, 99 | Split | Don’t split |
88, A | Split | Split |
44, 55, 1010 | Don’t Split | Don’t Split |
Extra tips:
- Surrender 16 when the dealer has a 10
- If strategy says to double but it’s not permitted, hit. If you have a soft 18, stand
Are You Ready To Master Blackjack?
Blackjack strategy is all about being mindful of the best action to take. If you memorise the main points of the charts above, you will be well on your way to mastering the wonderful world of blackjack.
There are advanced techniques which you can use, chief of which is blackjack card counting, which is essentially a method of tracking the cards which are dealt. However, this technique will not work with online blackjack games, as the virtual deck is shuffled for every single hand.
The best thing you can do to begin is to be fully aware of the specific ruleset relating to the blackjack game you are playing.
That being said, the majority, if not all, of the information in the charts will be applicable to any blackjack game. We are confident in saying that you will be thanking us for these magical blackjack charts!
Are you a blackjack buff? Are there any specific strategies which you use at the blackjack table? Comment below and let us know!
How to recognize when to split pairs in blackjack
In most versions of Blackjack, once you are dealt a pair (two of an equivalent card), you’ve got the choice to separate them into two new hands. You are dealt two more cards (one for each new hand) and your bet is doubled, you can play each hand normally – you get two chances to beat the dealer (or lose). Furthermore, knowing when to split pairs in blackjack is vital for high-level play. Best of all, since there’re only ten card values, it’s not difficult to memorize what to do in every single situation. In addition, online casinos in Malaysia such as scr888 can be a great place for you to test out your blackjack skills.
When do you always split
Always split aces
There are a few scenarios in blackjack when it always makes sense to split, no matter what card the dealer is showing. As an example, you must always split when you get a pair of aces. Splitting provides you a much better chance to get a strong head.
- If you play your two aces as one hand, you’ll begin with a value of 12 (one is played as an 11 and the other as a one). Only nine will give you 21. A number 10 or face card will force you to play the second ace with a value of one, bringing you back to 12.
- On the other hand, if you choose to split, you have four ways to get a 21 in either hand (being dealt a 10, J, Q, or K).
Always split eights
Besides aces, the other pair that just about every Blackjack expert will tell you to split on is eights. As it’s difficult to get a good hand when you play your eights as one hand. Your probabilities aren’t fantastic when you play them separately, but you do stand a stronger probability mathematically.
- When you play two eights as one hand it starts you at 16 (a very weak hand). Hitting at this point is a risky proposition. Furthermore, anything above 5 will cause you to bust, so you have about a 60% chance of losing the hand from the get-go.
- On the other hand, if you split, it’s impossible to bust out your first hit, so you at least have a chance of getting a more favorable hand.
Always re-split aces or eights if you’re dealt a second pair
Besides, when you split, the dealer gives you two cards – one for each of the new hands. If this gives you a second pair of aces or eights, treat it as its hand and split again.
- Note that it needs you to triple your original bet (splitting the first time requires you to double it).
- House rules might vary here. Most blackjack games will permit you to split a maximum of three times (to play a total of four hands)
How To Split Blackjack Poker Chip Placement
When you should never split
Never split tens
This is a common rookie mistake in Blackjack. Splitting 10s basically sacrifice a great hand for a very slim opportunity at an even better one.
- If you play a pair of 10s, your hand will have a value of 20, which is quite good. If you split 10s, you need to get an ace to improve your stance – anything else will give a hand that has an equal or lesser value. Accurately speaking, splitting tens is most likely to give you two hands worse than the first one.
- Some card-counting specialists suggest splitting 10s in very specific situations. For example: if you’re counting cards and knows that there’re lots of 10s left in the shoe, it makes sense to split 10s against a dealer showing 5 or 6 (which suggests a weak hand). This way, you stand a more average chance of getting at least one 20, while the dealer will have to get lucky to match or beat you.
Never split fours
Splitting a pair of fours gives you two weak hands, so it makes no sense. Remember that when you split it requires you to double your original wager – this also means that splitting fours are usually more of a money-losing proposition.
- When you hit on a pair of fours, it’s hopeless to bust out – the highest you can go is 19 if you get an ace, which is a pretty decent hand. If you split your fours, you’re more likely to get left with a less-valuable hand (if you get a two or three) or a hand that’s possible to bust out on if you hit (if you get an eight or higher). You need to get a five, six, or seven to be better off than what you were original.
Never split fives
Whenever you see a pair of 5s, forget that they’re a pair and treat them like a single 10. Double down your bet on a 10 against anything but a dealer’s nine, 10, or ace. For these three possibilities, just hit.
Blackjack How To Play Splitting
- Splitting a pair of fives is like splitting fours, but only worse – you give up a strong starting hand for a slim chance of getting something better. With a pair of fives, you can’t bust out and you have a chance of getting 21 on the very first hit. Moreover, if you split, you’ll be left a weaker hand (if you get a two, three, or four) and/or a hand that it’s possible to bust out and if you decided to hit(if you get a six or above). There’s no way to come out ahead by splitting fives.
When splitting it is sometimes a good idea
Split twos, threes, or sevens if the dealer gets a seven or lower
The examples in the sections above are hard and fast rules that should hardly (if ever) be broken. For other pairs, the best action usually depends on the card the dealer is showing. As an example, pairs of twos, threes, and sevens should be split when the dealer shows a relatively low card. If the dealer has an eight or better show, just take a hit.
- Some resources suggest splitting twos and threes (but not sevens) when the dealer shows an eight.
Split sixes when the dealer reveals a two through six.
If the dealer features a seven or better, just take a hit. Statistically, you’re more likely to beat the weak dealer hands if you decided to split your sixes. If the dealer is probably going to possess a stronger hand, your best bet is to hit and improve your hand – you’ll only bust out if you get a 10 or face card.
Split nines at odds with two through six, eight, and nine.
If the dealer features a seven, ten, or ace showing, don’t hit – instead, stand. Hitting on an 18 is borderline suicidal. Anything aside from a two or three will cause you to bust out.
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