The Dos and Don’ts of Splitting in Blackjack
Anyone who is familiar with this action will likely be wondering when to split in blackjack. When done correctly, splitting in blackjack online could improve a player’s chance of success across a session, decreasing the house edge as a result. In this article, we look at exactly what splitting is, while also discussing some optimal situations in which to use this action!
Table of Contents:
- What is Splitting?
- Situations Where You Should Split
- Situations Where You Should Not Split
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Splitting
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions About Splitting in Blackjack
Of course, splitting is just one of the actions that players should be aware of with blackjack. Some variations of the game, such as Free Bet Blackjack and Lightning Blackjack, come with unique rules that can add another layer of entertainment!
What is Splitting?
Let’s start this article by answering the question: What does splitting mean in blackjack? Players can only split when they have two cards that are the same, such as two eights, with one of each being used to form their own hand. The stake size is also doubled for the round, however, each hand is played separately. Blackjack splitting rules often state that players can perform this action 3 or 4 times per round if additional pairs keep forming.
Situations Where You Should Split
In order to get the best online blackjack odds, players could consider using basic strategy. This is a mathematically proven table that details the best possible action for each hand, compared to the dealer’s up card. This basic strategy may improve your chances, but it’s never a guarantee to winning or beating the house. Always remember to bet responsibly and never go above your means, no matter what a strategy chart says is the likelihood.
Here’s when basic strategy says splitting may be a good idea, as a general rule of thumb:
Splitting Aces
Should a player split aces, they are turning a hand currently worth 2 or 12 points, into one that is worth 1 or 11. It goes without saying, but a total of 11 is far more favourable in blackjack, as the most common card value is 10. This gives the player an improved chance of finishing the round with 21.
Splitting Against Bad Dealer Up Cards
Taking advantage when the dealer has a bad face-up card is recommended by basic strategy, too. These could include cards like 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, which come with a higher chance of busting than 7, 8, 9, and 10, for example.
Situations Where You Should Not Split
On the other hand, there are some scenarios in which players can put themselves at a disadvantage by splitting, in terms of probability. Let’s take a look!
Never Split Tens
In Blackjack, splitting 10s isn’t an optimal decision. The hand already totals 20, which is favourable to the player. Should tens be split, there is a very low chance of the subsequent hands adding up to 20 or 21. In short, players can end up with two worse hands, should they decide to split 10s.
Never Split Fives
The concept for splitting fives is very similar. Having a hand worth 10 is a good starting point, as it’s impossible to bust by hitting. Fives, on the other end of the scale, have a much higher probability of busting.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Splitting
So, what are the advantages of a blackjack split? In some instances, players can turn a bad hand into two more favourable counterparts. Splitting aces is a great example of this, taking a total of 2 or 12 and turning it into two hands worth 1 or 11, each.
Another benefit of splitting aces is that players can take advantage of the dealer having a weak card, such as a 6, that has a higher probability of busting than a 10, for example.
In terms of disadvantages, if players are not familiar with basic strategy, they may split at inopportune times. Splitting also requires the initial bet to be placed on the table again, once for each hand, increasing the total risk.
Conclusion
Splitting can be a useful action for players in a variety of scenarios. Before doing so, however, it’s crucial that you understand the ins and outs of splitting in blackjack, as it does increase the total wagered during a round. For players who are looking for more online casino games with unique rules, Quantum Blackjack Plus could be one to consider!
Frequently Asked Questions About Splitting in Blackjack
What Does Splitting Mean in Blackjack?
Splitting in blackjack can be done when players are dealt two cards of the same value. These can form their own hands, respectively, with players placing another bet down that is equivalent to the initial wager.
When Should I Split in Blackjack?
According to basic strategy, splitting aces is an optimal decision. Players can also split when the dealer has a weak card, such as a 6.
When Should I Avoid Splitting in Blackjack?
Splitting tens can be a bad idea, as 20 is considered a strong hand already. The same can be said for fives, as 10 is a more favourable hand than 5.
Can I Split More Than Once in Blackjack?
Although all tables come with their own rules, most will allow players to split 3 or 4 times in total, should each split lead to another pair of cards with the same value.
