What Happens if You Split Aces in Blackjack?

If you’re familiar with the game of blackjack, you know that aces are one of the most valuable cards in the deck. They can be worth either 1 or 11 points depending on what is more advantageous for the player’s hand.

But what happens if you’re dealt two aces in blackjack? Should you split them or keep them together? Let’s take a closer look.

Firstly, it’s important to understand what splitting means in blackjack. When a player splits their hand, they take their two initial cards of the same value and make them into two separate hands. Each hand is then played separately, with its own bet and potential winnings.

So when it comes to splitting aces in blackjack, there are a few things to consider. Here are some possible outcomes:

1. Splitting Aces can give you Two Strong Starting Hands

If you choose to split your aces, you will have two hands that start with an ace each. This is always an advantage because having an ace as your first card puts you in a strong position to win. With two hands starting with an ace each, your chances of winning both hands increase significantly.

2. You Might End Up Losing Both Hands

However, splitting aces does come with some risks as well. If you end up getting low-value cards for both hands after splitting your aces, it can be difficult to win either hand and might lead to losing both bets.

3. You Can only Take One More Card After Splitting Aces

Another thing to consider when splitting aces is that once you’ve done so and taken one more card for each new hand, no further splits will be allowed on those new hands.

4. The Blackjack Payout Might Change After Splitting Aces

Some casinos have different payout rules when it comes to splitting aces in blackjack. In some cases, getting a blackjack (an Ace plus any ten card) on a split hand might only pay out at 1:1 instead of the usual 3:2. This is why it’s important to check the specific rules of the casino you’re at before deciding to split your aces.

In conclusion, splitting aces in blackjack can be a good or bad strategy depending on your individual situation. While it does give you two strong starting hands, there are also risks involved and it’s important to consider the specific rules of the casino you’re playing at before making any decisions. As with any strategy in blackjack, it’s all about weighing the risks and rewards and making an informed decision.