When you play blackjack, one of the most common strategies is to split two cards that are of the same value. This enables you to form two new hands and place an extra stake on each. This is known as splitting and can be a great way to increase your winning potential.
What You Should Know About Splitting In Blackjack
If you’ve never played blackjack before, it can be confusing to make a split decision. There are many factors to consider, so it’s important to understand how to split in the right way.
The Basics
To split in blackjack, you must have a pair of cards that are of the same value, like a pair of tens or a pair of jacks. When you split, the dealer will give you two additional cards to form two new hands and you’ll continue to bet on both of them.
What You Should Not Do In Blackjack
It’s important to keep in mind that there are certain pairs of cards that you should never split. These include a pair of tens, a pair of fives, and a pair of fours.
The reason is that these pairs are highly likely to go bust if the dealer up card is low, which reduces your chances of winning a hand.
What You Should Do In Blackjack
To maximize your profits, you should split only the best pairs of cards that are available to you. The most common pairs to split are aces, eights, and elevens.
ACEs are an excellent card to split because they help you get to 21 faster than most other pairs of 10-value cards. Similarly, aces are also a good move when you’re dealing with the dealer’s up card because they’re an easy way to build a high-value hand.
Aces can also be a good move when you’re dealing the dealer’s up card because they’re a good way to get to 20.
If you have aces and another pair of cards, it’s often a good idea to split them again so that they can form a third hand. Depending on the house rules, this can increase your chances of winning.
What You Should Not Do In Poker
If you’re playing poker, you should always be aware of your opponent’s up card. This is especially true when you’re playing against a low-card dealer, since this will make it easier for them to hit or stand.
It’s also a good idea to avoid splitting when the dealer has an up card that is a six or seven. This will reduce your chance of beating their hand, and will only improve your odds of winning if you hit or stand.
When You Have A Double Down
Whenever you’re dealt two cards in a single hand, it’s usually an excellent idea to double down. This will allow you to win twice as much money as you’d have if you didn’t.