Can You Split a 10 and Face Card in Blackjack?

Blackjack is a popular casino game that has been around for centuries. The game involves players trying to get a hand as close to 21 as possible without going over.

One of the strategies that players employ in blackjack is splitting pairs, particularly 10s and face cards. But can you split a 10 and face card in blackjack? Let’s explore this question in detail.

Firstly, it is important to understand what splitting pairs means. In blackjack, when a player is dealt two cards of the same value, they have the option to split those cards into two separate hands and then play each hand individually. This can increase their chances of winning by allowing them to play two hands instead of one.

However, not all pairs are recommended for splitting, and this includes the combination of a 10 and face card (king, queen or jack). These cards are collectively known as ‘big’ cards or ’10-value’ cards and are considered one of the strongest hands in blackjack.

The reason why it is not recommended to split 10s or face cards is that it would be difficult to improve the value of those hands with another card. When you split these big cards into two separate hands, you will have two starting hands that each have a value of 10. This means that if you draw any card other than an ace (which has a value of either one or eleven), your hand will have a lower total than your original big hand.

For example, let’s say you are dealt a pair of kings in blackjack. Your initial hand value would be 20 – an excellent starting point for any round.

If you were to split these kings into two separate hands, you would now have two starting hands with a value of ten each. If either hand drew any card other than an ace on their next draw (which has a low probability), they would end up with a lower total than their original big hand.

It is important to note that there are some rare occasions when splitting 10s or face cards may be recommended, such as when the dealer’s up card is a five or six. However, this is a very specific scenario and should be approached with caution.

In conclusion, while splitting pairs is a common strategy in blackjack, it is not recommended to split a 10 and face card (king, queen or jack) due to the difficulty in improving the value of those hands with another card. It is important for players to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different hands in blackjack to make informed decisions when playing.