Blackjack Articles

Understanding How To Use Split In Blackjack

Learn how to use 'SPLIT' in blackjack

Some casinos offer the option of a SPLIT.  Basically, you will only place a bet with the number of hands you decide to play with.  This cannot be changed once the game has started.  Unless, of course, the situation (as well as the house rules) allow for a SPLIT.

What is a SPLIT and when can you use it?

A SPLIT is exactly what its name implies.  It will allow you to split the pair you are initially dealt with.  This will allow you to place a new bet on the new hand that you are allowed to have.

A SPLIT is allowed when the player has a pair of cards with equal value.  A pair of 7s for example, will ordinarily place you in a very compromising situation, since the total of 14 is quite an unsafe number in Blackjack.  A pair of Aces is even more of a predicament as they could either have the value of 2, 12, or 22, the latter being disregarded as a possibility. 

The solution?

SPLIT your cards to come up with separate hands.

For example, your cards are as follows:

Instead of dealing with the precarious situations that could ensue, you could opt to SPLIT your hand and come up with the following:

With two hands playing for you, you’ll have two Aces on two different wagers.  This will increase your chances of success.  Just take a look at the possibility below and see for yourself the amazing opportunities that can open up for you.

Two Blackjacks are very possible, when prior to the SPLIT, such was an impossibility!  Even if one hand fails to get a Blackjack, or even if both hands fail to make you a winner, the flexibility of the Aces would make a double victory a very big probability.

What if you have a pair of 9s, though?  Should you still opt for a SPLIT?

The answer is NO.

A pair of 9s would give you a total value of 18, which is a good position to have against the dealer.  There are more chances of the dealer going over 21 than there are of the dealer actually beating your hand in such a case.

Also, a pair of royal cards, like a pair of kings, a pair of queens, or a pair of jacks, or even a pair of 10s for that matter, would give you a total value of 20.  This means that the only way the dealer can beat you is if he gets a combination of 21 or a Blackjack, and the chances of that happening are pretty slim in this game.

But some players still decide to split a pair of royal cards.  Their reason?  Probabilities, of course.  If, for example, an Ace has yet to appear on the table during the series of games using the same deck, whether they are single deck or multiple decks, then the chances of an Ace appearing on any of the split hands would be better.  This is too tempting an opportunity to dismiss and a lot of players would rather take their chances than miss out on what could possibly be more earnings via a Blackjack, or a pair of Blackjacks even.

But I’d rather leave this decision to you.  20 is a relatively safe total.  It’s up to you if you’d like to increase the ante.

In general, however, do consider a SPLIT only if you have a pair of 8s or below, more so when you have a pair of flexible Aces.

Further Reading:
www.hitorstand.net
http://conjelco.com/faq/bj.html

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BlackJack Maesto has helped many people to finally win constantly with a proven tactics/strategy. For more Information, visit http://www.BlackJackMaestro.com.