Blackjack Split Tens
Blackjack is one of the most appreciated games in any gambling establishment. Due to its ease of play and prevalence in gambling venues, blackjack is many players’ go-to game. Casinos take full advantage of this fact and find creative ways to advertise blackjack to its customers. After poker, which is the most popular card game worldwide, blackjack is the second most common form of card entertainment.
A big reason for the game’s popularity is that players can use strategies and skills to improve their chances of winning, rather than just relying on luck. Some people choose to create probability tables.
Even if they don’t win big, they can at least feel as if they have some influence over the game’s outcome. If a player is willing to take the time to learn how to count cards, they can greatly increase their probability of winning. All it takes is a little practice in blackjack split to gain an advantage over the house.
A Bit of History
Before you learn how to split in blackjack, let’s take a step back. Nobody knows exactly when or where blackjack originated, due to the lack of relevant historical documents. Some experts have speculated that it first became popular in France. Back then, it wasn’t originally called blackjack.
Rather, its name was «Vingt et Un» which translates to «Twenty-One». Regardless of the game’s name, its goal was the same. The main purpose was to gain the right amount of points, and not to bust.
Until the 19th century, the game did not really go through any significant changes. However, when the French migrants moved to New Orleans, they took the card game with them. Twenty-One became hugely known in the US, and it underwent quite a few changes.
In the US, rather than keeping the game’s original name, players changed it to “blackjack.” This name references the best possible combination: a player can get in the game a pair of Jack of Spades and Ace of Spades.
An interesting fact is that many blackjack terms were actually taken from the world of baseball. For instance, the player sitting on the left side is on the first base, while the person on the right sits on the third base. The third base player is in a position that makes it easier to count cards. Thus, they have an advantage over the casino.
Famous Blackjack Players
Now, let’s look at the two most influential people throughout the game’s history. The first one is Don Johnson. This man raked in a huge sum of $15 million after only five months of playing blackjack regularly.
Depending on the rules, some blackjack games allow us to split non-matching face cards, because they are still valued at 10 points. For instance, we might be allowed to split a King and a Queen. When splitting, we must place an additional bet equal to our original wager to cover the second hand.
The second one is Kerry Parker. This Australian mogul and billionaire brought the MGM casino to its knees in 1997. Parker won a whopping $30 million initially and later went on to win even more.
Thankfully, Parker wasn’t selfish about his money. Whenever he would win big, he would leave up to $1 million in tips to that night’s staff. Eventually, Parker ended up becoming the owner of Crown Casino.
Perhaps you have heard of the Sports and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame. Blackjack actually has its own hall of fame as well. The Hall’s first nomination was in Winter 2002. In homage to the game’s goal and original name, 21 candidates were proposed.
- Splitting Pairs – Tens Through Kings When you are dealt two tens or two face cards, it is almost never a good idea to split. You already have 20 and the only way you can lose is for a dealer to hit blackjack or get 21. While it can happen, it’s not a regular occurrence.
- When it comes to splitting 10s in the game of blackjack, the bottom line should be: Average players should never split and should always stand on 20. Card counters will sometimes split in ten-rich decks. Smart tournament players will sometimes split when they need to bet more chips, especially if it’s the last hand. There are two types of blackjack players who split a pair of 10s.
- Blackjack Strategy When Splitting a Pair of Tens Stand: Always stand on a pair of tens. Why to stand on a pair of tens A pair of tens means you add the total to 20.
Some candidates were players, and others were experts in the field. The voting took place online, and seven of the nominees ended up becoming inaugurated into the Blackjack Hall of Fame in January of 2003.
Addressing the Rules: When Can you Split in Blackjack?
One of the reasons for blackjack’s huge international success is the simplicity of its rules. If you score 21 points, and there isn’t a draw, you are guaranteed to win. You could also score less than 21 and win, as long as you have enough points to beat the dealer.
Even a complete novice can understand blackjack split rules in just a few minutes. All you have to do is remember how many points each card could bring, which just requires a simple calculation.
Players must remain attentive and vigilant in order to properly track each card. You must put in effort in order to rake in the winnings. Cards are initially distributed from six or eight decks that are contained in a blackjack shoe.
The average player won’t be able to remember these cards right off the bat. It takes some practice to be able to hold all of these numbers in your head. Yet, after practicing and learning how to memorize correctly, players can achieve great success.
Computers have given us the ability to analyze millions of matches in order to create algorithms that help us implement the best strategies. Bear in mind that the dealer can’t reflect on whether to take another card. In many venues, the house splitting rules for blackjack state that they have to draw more cards until the total value of his points is 17 or more.
Check the table below to see how an open card affects the dealer’s chances of winning. Here are the chances for the opposite side to lose with these dealer’s upcards:
Blackjack Split Rules: How to Split?
Let’s put aside the vague concepts of good luck and bad luck and agree that knowledge of these basic truths is necessary for a systematic player of the game. Save the table if you can’t remember its values. Now, using this knowledge, let us turn to the strategy on the blackjack splitting cards.
When can you split in blackjack? Check the explanation in the form of a blackjack split chart below.
There are some best hands to split in blackjack. Looking at the table, consider that ace and 10 are the strongest cards or combinations, and 4, 5, and 6 are the weakest. This statement is based on complex mathematical calculations and should be accepted as an axiom.
Let’s see the explanation for when to split in blackjack:
- Against a range of 4-6 at the dealer, takes advantage of an increase in the bet due to the opponent’s weakness;
- 2s and 3s against the dealer’s weakest hand, since each of these cards, is better than a combination of 4 or 6;
- 8s, which separately are much stronger than the low-perspective 16;
- Aces: as the strongest card (with some exceptions);
- 4s, only against the weakest cards of the dealer (5 and 6), counting on his excess (in other cases, it makes no sense to deprive himself of the average strength of 8).
Can a dealer split in blackjack? For better or worse, the dealer never doubles, splits, or surrenders. As for players, it is better to learn the table and the following basic rule that must be remembered:
- Never play split fives because instead of a strong ten, you will get two very weak cards.
- Never play a split on ten-value cards — it is a ready 20 with a high probability of victory. If you stop, the mathematical probability of winning will be higher than when playing the two tens separately.
We have collected the most common splitting options that you can find in casinos, both land-based and online. We recommend that you always check the rules of the game variation you’re going to play to know in advance which splits are available and which are not.
Dozens’ Split
All face cards (i.e., queens, kings, and jacks) are worth a 10. Almost all online casinos have the option of splitting these cards when they are dealt to your first hand. But the strategy of splitting dozens statistically leads to failure. Try not to use it.
Resplit
Let’s say you fell out of two eights the first time you have got the cards. You asked to split them into two hands, and the next time the dealer gives you a card, you get a third eight. Therefore, you have the opportunity to split the hands with the pairs of eights into a third hand. So, you’ll already have three hands, which means three chances to win.
Rather than doubling your bet, you have to triple it. There can also be limits on the number of splits, so read the rules carefully so that then there is no surprise. And remember, when new hands appear, you always need to add to your initial bet.
Aces’ Resplit
It is a very rare rule. It only applies to the late rejection rule.
An Extra Card After an Ace Split
In almost all casinos, after you’ve had a pair of aces, you need to split them into two hands. In some gambling houses, this rule is not implemented, and you can continue playing without any restrictions.
Prohibition on Ace Split
That is a very rare rule but, in some gambling establishments, you still can come across it. It ends with a ban on splitting aces. We recommend that you avoid casinos that have this rule.
Split at Any Time
If the casino is using this rule, you have the option of splitting the cards into two hands even after you give them away. Let’s say you got 10 and 2 cards at the start of the game. And after the dealer gave you a third card, you got a double again. You have the right to make a split into two 2s on the second hand.
A Ban on Splitting
This rule is very rare; at the moment, it can be found in the UK casinos only.
Canceling the Split
It is a very useful option, which is presented in some casinos. Thanks to it, you have the right to cancel one of the hands that have been formed during the split.
Blackjack Splitting FAQ
You might still have some questions regarding these techniques. Let us elaborate on some of them.
What Does Split Mean in Blackjack?
Do I Need to Have a Certain Amount of Money?
Is There Any Correlation Between a Set of Rules and a Minimum Bet?
Do You Have the Best Chance to Beat the Casino Compared to Other Games?
It varies case by case, but on the whole, it’s a true statement.
To Sum Up
Why do some people lose? The reasons might be:
- Not fully understanding the rules and strategy;
- Not having or maintaining the original plan at all;
- Not setting a game timeline beforehand;
- Not adequately assessing their capital.
Did you know that casinos keep 20% of the money players use to play based on statistics? That is, they take $50 or $100 euros with them, they bet 10 each time, and as soon as they lose the money, they leave. If somebody has enough money, they may continue to play even after losing 5 or 10 times in a row. So, it’s essential to manage your capital properly.
Despite being around for centuries, blackjack maintains its popularity in the world. Simplicity and efficiency make it a favorite online choice for gamblers.
If you haven’t played online blackjack yet, it is time to try your luck at Bob Casino. All you need is an online casino with blackjack, our split strategy, your talent, excitement, and a bit of luck.
Please remember, no strategy can guarantee 100% results. Manage your money wisely, so that way stress will not affect your decisions in a negative manner. We wish you good luck and the biggest winnings!
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Whether you play blackjack at a land-based or online casino, there is a moment that irrevocably may define the outcome. The decision is called splitting. It is the situation when you’re dealt with two hole cards and have an option to split the hand into two. Doubling your initial bet and raising the stakes, you can make such a strategic decision once, right after the first cards are dealt. An enticing and exciting opportunity, indeed, is something you need to know when, how, and why to use.
Splitting in blackjack may be compared to the tuxedo.
As one of the most elegant garments of all times, it dates back to 1865 and the Prince of Wales, future King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain Edward VII, as the Business Insider tells the story.
Looking for a bit more formal suit, a Savile Row tailor created the “dinner jacket,” for his highness. Intended as an ensemble to be worn during dinners at the Sandringham House, it was “a more formal than a lounge suit,” yet appropriate enough for informal Royal evenings.
Twenty years later, American millionaire James Brown Potter and his wife Cora visited the future king. Not acquainted with proper dressing code, Potter inquired at the Prince’s tailor what he should wear; he got his own dinner jacket as an answer.
On his return to New York, Potter wore it at the first annual Autumn Ball, social elite gathering at the exclusive country club called Tuxedo Park on October 1886. As upper-class gentlemen and magnates like William Waldorf Astor and JP Morgan donned traditional ensemble of black tailcoats, heavily starched white shirts, and formal bow ties, Potter showed up in the dinner jacket.
The suit instantly took off and was eventually named by the club where it premiered.
Enjoying quite an interesting evolutionary journey thus far, the tuxedo distinguishes itself from other garments by firm rules on when and how to be used.
To wear it right will result in being noticed in a potentially beneficial way; the princess you’re eyeing may realize her prince has just arrived while a businessman you’re pitching will, if nothing else, listen to you seriously — always a potent start.
Then again, to wear the tuxedo at high noon in the street or at the pool party or at night club might make you look quite strange, maybe even provoking — all eccentricities aside — and your social interactions will probably suffer. Though nothing is impossible and you still may get it right, you’d fare much better if you select your wardrobe a bit more properly.
The same is with blackjack splitting: there is when and how to use it.
Rules Dictate Your Strategy
Play it right and you might double your winnings; do it wrong — well, the outcome is obvious. Luckily, blackjack strategy covers splitting extensively, thus at least you have a theoretical baseline when it comes to one the most difficult aspects of the game.
Your initial moves and options are, of course, defined by rules.
When the first hand you’re dealt with consists of same denomination cards — such as two 4s or 9s — you can split them into two separate hands. Your standard bet will be placed on each hand, in effect doubling your wagering amount.
Upon the split, each hand is treated separately. You can play both independently and employ whatever tactics you deem proper at each one.
When it comes to online blackjack, splitting rules might vary depending on games variants.
For instance, if you split 10s and get another 10 on one hand, you can split that too; it’s known as resplitting. Majority of variations and house rules allow it for up to three times (totaling four hands), but some don’t. This one is important; by depriving you of this option, casinos in effect increase their house edge by 0.4 percent.
Same is with splitting cards with the same value. Some games will let you split a 10 and a Queen, others won’t, allowing only for identical cards to be split.
You may also stumble upon an online blackjack variant which does not allow doubling down after splitting. In the example, you split a pair of 6s and receive 5 at one hand; some games will let you double down on 11 after the split, others will not.
Therefore…
Don’t miss the opportunity to read or inquire on blackjack rules carefully.
They will define what you can or can’t do when it comes to splitting, and influence your strategic decisions.
In addition, when you play blackjack at a land-based casino — there is a way to signal split to the dealer. You simply place the next bet close to your original wager and form the letter V with your index and middle fingers. It won’t hurt to also say ‘split’ if you consider it necessary or the casino employs such alternate rules.
Whatever you choose, don’t touch your initial bet or cards at the table.
Your Strategy is Governed by Principles
Now, splitting pairs wisely can be a huge boost for your game. It is one of the most common moves in the game and to know when and how to do it is super-important for the outcome of your game.
(Side note. Blackjack schools of thought on splitting vary, depending on rules, calculations, and experience of players. Therefore, you should indeed take all of them as nothing more than opinions, and form your own dos and don’ts based on a good mix of knowledge and personal experience. In gaining both, do not take anything for granted.)
CONSIDER TO SPLIT when you’re dealt with aces and eights no matter what the dealer has.
Why? If you play two aces in one hand, you’ll start with 12, and any 10 or face card will prompt you to play the second ace as a value of one, reverting you to 12. By splitting, you increase your chances for better hand afterward.
Same is with 8s: by playing them as one hand, you start at week 16 where hitting is kind of a risky. By splitting them, you won’t be bust in the next hand (it’s impossible) and you might get a better hand.
The advice to split 8s and As also works for resplitting.
If you get a second pair, treat them as the original hand and consider splitting. One very important reminder: by resplitting, you triple your original wager.
The rest of the split options depends on the dealer’s hand.
If the dealer has any card value between 2 to 6 in up hand and you get 22, 33, 66, 77, or 99 — you might split. With dealer’s card values between 7 to ace, you should consider not to split.
(Side note. You’ll notice that some players advise not to split 9s by default. Pros: it’s already strong hand, 18. Cons: you might get two strong hands in the next hit. Debatable. Thus, we put double 9s in the category depending on dealers up hand.)
Consider NOT TO SPLIT when dealt with two 4s, 5s, and 10s.
Splitting 4s will give you two weak hands. Next card might either give you another less-valuable hand (if you get 2, 3, or 4) or one that might result in a bust on the next hit. If you don’t split, the highest you can get is 19, which is a very good hand.
Splitting 5s is perhaps even worse. If you get 2, 3, or 4, even 6, you’ll have a weak hand quite possible to be busted out in the next hit. But if you don’t, you have 10, which you can’t bust right away while keeping a chance for 21 alive.
Splitting 10s is a rookie mistake. You have a second-best hand in the game which is not worth jeopardizing for any uncertainty, including the theoretical possibility of two blackjacks in the next hit (which is a question of blind luck). By splitting tens you significantly lower your chances and gamble almost certain win away.
Final Notes: Earn & Own Your Principles
Naturally, wherever there are rules, there is a maybe — a very fine line separating win and loss in any walk of life. Sooner or later you’ll find it in blackjack too. As with any game of luck and skills…
Such maybe line should be evaluated in an educated, prudent, responsible, disciplined, and objective manner.
What will you do — short of remembering to split only when the dealer faces the unfavorable situation — is indeed up to you. To make a right call is not easy, of course, but is something we should always strive for, particularly when facing the game with the best house edge in the industry (the credit shared with craps).
At the end of the day…
Listen to yourself, use your knowledge, intuition, tact, style of play, find reputable sources and personal authorities you’ll use as trusted advisors, and make your pick wisely.
In a way, do it as you would choose the tuxedo, readying yourself for that princess.
Ha ha ha... Glad to see that bj21 is now soliciting humor articles! This one was especially funny, especially the line: 'split only when the dealer faces the unfavorable situation', which is in direct contradiction to the prior advice to split 8's regardless of the dealer's upcard. In addition, the numerous (I hope intentional) typos as well as the syntax and grammatical errors also made me chuckle.
Keep up the hilarious work!
Dog Hand
P.S. If by chance this article was meant to be taken seriously, then I hope it is quickly removed before its poor advice is taken to heart by gullible readers.
I agree with Dog Hand. Any of the usual books on Blackjack and the Wizard of Odds will provide charts with the correct splitting strategy.
The tuxedo story was amusing filler.
Ace Hunter
Hi Dog Hand and Ace Hunter,
Thank you for your comments.
Every advice covered in my article is based on Michael Shackleford’s splitting strategy. In effect, I only followed the Wizard of Odds’ rules on splitting. In retrospection, I should have referred it in the article — would probably clarify my source.
Regarding my notion at the end “to split only when the dealer faces the unfavorable situation” – the idea was to yet again underline all cases except for aces and 8s. In the hindsight, you’re right, it might have been written more clearly.
I hope this feedback explain what I meant to say.
Thank you again.
May the blackjack force be with you!
--Dejan
Blackjack Split Rules
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