Ace the Blackjack Split: The Complete Guide to Perfecting Your Strategy

Discover the ins and outs of Blackjack Split with pro player Peter Nairn, as he reveals the secrets to mastering this technique and including it in your complete strategy.

In this easy-to-follow guide, Peter shares his expert knowledge and personal experiences to help you develop the essential skill of splitting pairs. 

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Basics of Blackjack Splitting
• What is a Split in Blackjack?
• Splitting Rules and Variations
• When to Split in Blackjack: Key Scenarios to Remember
• Splitting Pairs: The Casino Insider Simplified Version
• Blackjack Split Strategy Charts
• How Does Counting Cards Affect Your Splitting Cards Decisions?
• Mastering the Split Decision: Expert Advice from a Pro Blackjack Player

By the end of your journey, you'll be well-equipped to make confident and informed decisions at the Blackjack table. 

So, let's dive in and start learning from the master himself!

Basics of Blackjack Splitting

When a hand is playing out in your favor, and you have a pair, one way to gain an advantage and get more money on the table is to split the pair.  

If your hand is a pair (for example, two 8s, or two 9s, etc.), splitting them into two hands (or more) may be a great opportunity increase the amount you can win.

Most casinos will allow you to split a pair three times into four hands.

If you have Aces, you only get one card on each, but all the other cards can be played out like a regular blackjack hand.

Generally, splitting 10s is not a good idea, but you can. There is one scenario where you might, but more about that later. 

What is a Split in Blackjack?

One of the rules in place when playing Blackjack is you can split a pair if the first two cards you are dealt are a pair.  

To split a pair, you must make a second bet to match the original bet, thus doubling the amount of money you have bet on the hand.

When splitting, make sure you put out the additional bet and give the dealer a clear hand signal.  

Like this:

Don't touch the cards or the original bet; the dealer will handle that.

When playing a single or double-deck game with the dealer dealing the cards from the hand, the cards are usually dealt face down in front of you, and you pick them up to play your hand.  

To split on such a game, turn the cards face up and put them in front of your bet, and the dealer will place the cards and your additional bet for you.

Most casinos allow players to split three times to create up to four hands.

Splitting Rules and Variations

Most casinos allow the players to double down after they've split, so it can be an opportunity to get a lot of money onto the table, and you should do so when the hand is in your favor.

You may be able to split your cards three times into four hands.

Split Aces can only get one card on each, and no double down after the split.

A split Ace that receives a 10-value card is not a Blackjack; it counts as 21.

When to Split in Blackjack: Key Scenarios to Remember

Splitting scenarios that depend on the dealer's up-card

• If you have Twos or Threes, and the dealer's up-card is a 2 or 3, split them if you can double down after splitting. If you cannot double down after a split, just hit. 
• If you have Twos or Threes and the dealer's up card is 4 through 7, split them.
• If you have Sixes and can double down after a split, and the dealer's up card is a 2, then split. If you cannot double down after a split, just hit.
• If you have Sixes and the dealer's up card is a 3 through 6, then split. 
• If you have Sevens and the dealer's up card is 2 through 7, split the Sevens; otherwise, stand.
• You have Nines, and the dealer's up-card is a 2 through 6, an 8 or a 9, then split. If the dealer's up card is a 7, 10, or Ace, stand.

Splitting Pairs: The Casino Insider Simplified Version

This is the simplified version of the splitting strategy for you. It makes it much easier to remember the rules and isn't too far away from the more advanced rules that drill down into the real nitty gritty of when and how to split pairs.  

Using this simplified version won't significantly affect the House Advantage against you.

• When you should always split: Always split Aces and eights
• When you should never split: Never split tens, fives, and fours.
• When splitting could be a good idea: Generally, splitting may be a good idea if the dealer has a 2 through 6 as their up card, and you have an opportunity to split a hand that may turn into two (or more) strong hands.

Splitting a pair can be an offensive move, such as splitting Aces. 

You're changing a fairly mediocre hand of soft 12 and allowing you to make two solid hands. An Ace as your first card gives you a 52% chance of winning the hand.

Splitting a pair can also be a defensive move, such as splitting a pair of 8s. 16 is a very weak hand; by splitting the 8s, you're trying to break even on your weak hand. You may end up with one or both hands of 18 and turn your weak 16 into a push or better.

Blackjack Split Strategy Charts

Pair Splitting
Dealer Upcard
	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
A,A	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
T,T	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
9,9	P	P	P	P	P	S	P	P	S	S
8,8	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	SrP
7,7	P	P	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
6,6	PH	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H	H
5,5	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
4,4	H	H	H	PH	PH	H	H	H	H	H
3,3	PH	PH	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
2,2	PH	PH	P	P	P	P	H	H	H	H
KEY		H = Hit
		S = Stand
		D = Double if allowed, otherwise Hit
		P = Split
		PH = Split if double after Split is Allowed, otherwise Hit
		SrP = Surrender if allowed, otherwise Split

Download the split chart

Note: This blackjack strategy chart is for a 6-deck shoe game, and the dealer hits any Soft 17,

This includes some additional scenarios, which will make this the most accurate strategy for splitting on Blackjack.

How to read and use the strategy chart

1. The dealer's up card is written across the top of the chart.
2. Down the left-hand side of the chart are listed all the possible hands comprising a pair.
3. The correct play is listed in the corresponding square.
4. The key to the letters' meaning is included at the bottom of the chart.

How Does Counting Cards Affect Your Splitting Cards Decisions?

Are you counting cards?  If so, the split/don't split decision will change.  

Here's how you do it:

If you have a pair of 10s, and the dealer's up card is a 5 or 6, you can split them if the true count is +5 or more. 

However, just because you should doesn't mean you must. And here's why.

This may be a red flag to the casino, especially if you've been playing solid basic strategy since you sat down because it looks like you're making this rookie move.  

Any blackjack supervisor worth his salt will look at your play and think, 'Now, why would he suddenly do that?'  

So you may not want to attract the attention that may reveal you as a card counter by splitting 10s.

Mastering the Split Decision: Expert Advice from a Pro Blackjack Player

From my experience at the table, here are the most actionable pieces of advice that have helped me leverage the split in blackjack:

Know the rules: Spend a little time with the strategy chart  

It will clearly indicate the best way to play your hand when you have a pair.  You can even print it and take it to the table. 

The dealer will not be concerned unless it takes you a long time to decide.  

Players routinely use these charts; many casinos sell them in their gift shops. You can learn more about the full blackjack strategy chart from my dedicated guide. 

Recognize and adapt to different casino environments

Some casinos are a chaotic hodge-podge of mirrors, slot banks, and poor signage.  

It seems like they were deliberately designed to confuse the players and to make it more difficult to find your way around and even to leave.  

(Here's a casino secret: They were deliberately designed that way!)  

Sadly, this old-school philosophy can still be seen in some casinos.  

The more modern casinos have taken the philosophy of David Kranes and others and made the casino into a relaxing and comfortable environment, featuring wide, easy-to-navigate walkways, lower profile slot machines that make it easy to see where everything is, and quiet backwater areas that are still close to the action for the players to relax.

I'm a big believer in the latter philosophy.

When entering a new casino, players almost always look up and to the right – so have they given you something to look at? 

Casinos should be designed with easy-to-find location points

For example, the table games pit area or the main bar is in the middle and can be clearly seen from the major entrances.  

The players immediately have a reference point to locate when they want to leave.

Having a sense of arrival is important 

Something that makes you feel 'I'm here.' 

That's why live music is playing in the parking lots of the better-managed casinos.  

When Steve Wynn opened the Mirage in Las Vegas, the entrance included:

• Many live plants and flowers.
• Running water.
• Reggae music.
• A giant fish tank behind the front desk.
• A walkway through a rainforest to get to the gaming area. 

At the high-end player entrance at Thunder Valley, a Tribal casino near Sacramento in Northern California, close to the private parking lot for those high-end players, several open fire torches were constantly lit.

Sense of arrival? Oh yes! 

The major areas players need to find are the Players' Club, the Cage, and the restaurants.  

Good signage and directions are important to make the players feel comfortable and at home.  

The slot machines are laid out with curved walkways separating them, circular banks at corners, and high-traffic areas, with a lot of space between them.  

Many old-school casinos would allocate 20 to 22 square feet (approximately 2 square meters) to each slot machine and lay them out in regimented lines. This is often referred to as a supermarket layout. 

The more modern philosophy is to soften the layout with curves and circle banks and allocate up to 28 square feet (approximately 2.6 square meters) or more to each machine. 

Bankroll management and risk assessment

Bankroll management is an important part of being successful in a casino, and the less-experienced players often overlook it.

It has several parts, including setting and sticking to a budget.

This includes 'how much am I willing to lose this session,' this week or this month?

It should also include a realistic 'how much am I willing to win this session' number.

And when you get to your budgeted number, you must walk away.

Bankroll management also includes 'how much should I bet' based on the 'willing to win and/or lose' number.

Conclusion

So there is the information on when and how to split a pair in Blackjack. 

Here's the big picture, simplified in a few key takeaways:

• Generally, always split Aces and 8s.
• Never split 10s, 5s and 4s.
• Review the strategy chart to learn how to handle splitting all the pairs.

Splitting pairs in Blackjack is a skill you need to develop to help you become a better player.  

I highly recommend exploring the additional articles in the Academy section to gain deeper insights and get closer to achieving flawless Blackjack gameplay.