Dividing a pair in blackjack into two separate hands, each with its own bet.
When you're dealt a pair in blackjack, you can split them into two separate hands by placing a second bet equal to your original. Each card becomes the first card of a new hand, and you play each hand independently.
Basic strategy has clear rules for splitting: always split Aces and 8s, never split 10s or 5s. Other pairs depend on the dealer's upcard. Splitting is one of the key ways to reduce the house edge.
Some casinos allow re-splitting (splitting again if you receive another pair) and some restrict what you can do after splitting Aces (usually only one card). House rules on splitting affect the overall house edge.
Dealt a pair of 8s against a dealer 6 at Wynn Las Vegas, you split. Two 16s against a 6 look ugly, but dealer 6 busts 42% of the time, so each individual 8 becomes a profitable hand — expected value rises from -48 cents (hitting 16) to +10 cents per dollar on each split hand.
Always split Aces and 8s, never split 10s, 5s, or 4s. Splitting Aces doubles your shot at a 21 (a 31% chance per hand), while splitting 10s breaks a guaranteed 20 into two inferior starting totals. A $50 pair of 8s vs dealer 6 requires an additional $50 on the table for the split — bankroll for re-splits and doubles after split before sitting down at a $25 minimum game.
<p>Dealt a pair of <strong>8s against a dealer 6</strong> at Wynn Las Vegas, you split. Two 16s against a 6 look ugly, but dealer 6 busts 42% of the time, so each individual 8 becomes a profitable hand — expected value rises from -48 cents (hitting 16) to <strong>+10 cents per dollar</strong> on each split hand.</p><p>Always split <strong>Aces and 8s</strong>, never split <strong>10s, 5s, or 4s</strong>. Splitting Aces doubles your shot at a 21 (a 31% chance per hand), while splitting 10s breaks a guaranteed 20 into two inferior starting totals. A $50 pair of 8s vs dealer 6 requires an additional $50 on the table for the split — bankroll for re-splits and doubles after split before sitting down at a $25 minimum game.</p>
Dividing a pair in blackjack into two separate hands, each with its own bet.
<p>Dealt a pair of <strong>8s against a dealer 6</strong> at Wynn Las Vegas, you split. Two 16s against a 6 look ugly, but dealer 6 busts 42% of the time, so each individual 8 becomes a profitable hand — expected value rises from -48 cents (hitting 16) to <strong>+10 cents per dollar</strong> on each split hand.</p><p>Always split <strong>Aces and 8s</strong>, never split <strong>10s, 5s, or 4s</strong>. Splitting Aces doubles your shot at a 21 (a 31% chance per hand), while splitting 10s breaks a guaranteed 20 into two inferior starting totals. A $50 pair of 8s vs dealer 6 requires an additional $50 on the table for the split — bankroll for re-splits and doubles after split before sitting down at a $25 minimum game.</p>
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