In blackjack, a split is a strategic move that allows a player to separate their initial two cards into two distinct hands when both cards have the same value. This action requires the player to place an additional bet equal to their original wager for the second hand.
After splitting, the player plays each hand independently, receiving an additional card for each split card. The player can then choose to hit, stand, double down, or, in some cases, split again if another pair is dealt.
Players can only split when dealt a pair, such as two eights or two aces. After splitting, each hand is played independently against the dealer. When a player decides to split, they double their initial bet. However, you should know that some casinos may have specific rules regarding splitting, such as restrictions on re-splitting or hitting after splitting aces.
Some strategies involve splitting the ace and eights. Splitting ace increases the chance of hitting blackjacks, while splitting eights transforms a weak total of 16 into potentially stronger hands. You should also avoid splitting tens. Keeping a pair of tens (totaling 20) is generally more advantageous than splitting them.
Finally, you should always consider the dealer’s upcard. Players often assess the dealer’s visible card when deciding whether to split lower pairs, such as twos or threes.
