When & How to Split Cards in Blackjack

Blackjack players can choose to split the two starting cards they are dealt if they are of equal value, for instance, a pair of tens or a pair of face cards such as a king and a jack. Here, the player can split and place an additional wager – equal to the initial wager – on the second hand. Both hands will then be played independently.

In some Blackjack variants, these hands can be split again if additional paired or equal value hands are dealt to the player. There are some further restrictions when it comes to splitting aces. In this case, almost all Blackjack variants will allow a player to draw just one card to each of the newly created hands.

But should you always split pairs or is there a time and place to do it? When dealt a pair of aces, it might be a good idea to split them, as it gives players two chances of reaching 21. The same goes for when it comes to splitting a pair of eights because a dealer can usually stand on sixteen, meaning players are better off trying to improve their holding.

Some pairs that are not recommended to be split include pairs of fours, fives, nines, and tens, all of which leave a player with stronger hands if they are left together rather than being broken down into two hands.

Of course, these rules can change based on the blackjack variant that is being played, so it is important for players to check out the rules before they get going!