Blackjack

Splitting Pairs

When your first two cards have the same value (for example, a pair of nines), you have the option to "split". To split, you have to place another bet equal to your original bet. Then the two cards are split and you play them as two separate hands for which you can receive as many cards as you wish to ‘hit’ for each individual hand.

Special rules apply when you choose to split Aces. When you split Aces, you only receive one more card on each hand and if you get 21, it is not considered blackjack.

Please note: In most Casinos you will not be allowed to double down a split hand – when reaching 9, 10 or 11 points with two cards. This applies for both hands. Also, most casinos will not allow you to re-split a hand that has been split before.

Our recommendation:

The following results are based on the laws of probabilistic evaluation. To maximize you chance of winning, split when (x):

Your cards	Bank's card
Your cards	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	As
2,2	-	-	x	x	x	x	-	-	-	-
3,3	-	-	x	x	x	x	-	-	-	-
4,4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
5,5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
6,6	-	x	x	x	x	-	-	-	-	-
7,7	x	x	x	x	x	x	-	-	-	-
8,8	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
9,9	x	x	x	x	x	-	x	x	-	-
10, 10	Images (Jack, Queen, King) and 10’s are never split
As, As	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x

This means for example:

Split your hand when your first two cards are a pair of 8’s and the bank holds a 7.

Do not split when your first two cards are a pair of 3’s and the bank holds a 2.