Blackjack, also known as 21, is a popular casino game that involves strategy and skill. One of the key strategies in blackjack is knowing when to split your cards.
Splitting your cards can increase your chances of winning and decrease the house edge. However, not all splits are created equal. In this article, we will discuss which splits are best for blackjack.
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Firstly, let’s define what splitting in blackjack means. When you receive two cards with the same value, such as two 8s or two 10s, you have the option to split them into two separate hands.
You must place an additional bet equal to your original bet to do so. Once you split your cards, you play each hand separately and have the chance to win twice.
The best splits in blackjack are those that give you the highest probability of winning. The most common splits in blackjack are pairs of Aces, 8s, and 7s.
Pair of Aces:
Splitting a pair of Aces is always a good idea in blackjack. A hand with an Ace has a lot of potential because it can be counted as either one or eleven points. When you split Aces, you have a chance to receive another Ace on each hand, giving you a strong starting hand for both hands.
Pair of 8s:
Splitting a pair of 8s is also recommended in most cases as it turns a weak hand into two decent hands. A hard total of 16 is one of the worst hands to have in blackjack because it is very difficult to improve without going over 21. By splitting 8s into two separate hands (each with an initial value of eight), you have better chances of improving at least one hand and winning at least one bet.
Pair of 7s:
Splitting a pair of 7s can also be beneficial depending on the situation but it’s not often recommended. The reason why it’s not as beneficial as splitting Aces or 8s is because the total value of 14 isn’t as weak as 16 and you have a higher risk of receiving a low card which could make your starting hand worse.
Other pairs such as 9s and 10s are generally not recommended to split because they already have a strong value. For instance – a pair of 10s has a total value of 20 which is very close to the maximum value of 21. Splitting them into two separate hands would be highly risky and could result in potentially losing both bets.
In conclusion, knowing when to split your cards in blackjack can be the difference between winning and losing. The best splits are those that give you the highest probability of winning, namely Ace pairs and pairs of 8s.
By following these guidelines, you can improve your chances of winning at blackjack and increase your bankroll. Remember though, always play responsibly!
