Stop guessing at the blackjack table, especially if you have a pair. Now’s the time to learn when to split your pairs at the right time. Splitting pairs is one of the most powerful moves in blackjack and can turn your losing hand into two winners. If you’ve been hesitating with your 8s against the dealer’s 10 or have been uncertain on what to do with your Aces, check out these expert tips today. So the next time you visit the blackjack tables of AS128G Singapore Live Casino, you’ll be splitting like a pro.
The Basics Of Pair Splitting In Live Blackjack
To avoid common live blackjack beginner mistakes, you have to master splitting your pairs. This blackjack move allows you to divide your pair of initial 2 cards into 2 separate hands. But upon doing so, you need to place a second bet equal to your original bet. Then, the dealer will give one additional card to each new hand, and you can play these hands independently.
The Golden Rules That You Must Remember
Not all pairs are recommended to split, but there are only 2 pairs that you should never forget to separate into 2 hands, no matter what card the dealer shows you. So, if you are playing at AS128G Online Blackjack Singapore and you receive either of these two, don’t hesitate to split them apart.
Split Your Aces
A pair of Aces is a very weak hand against the dealer because your total is either 2 or 12 only. But if you’re going to split them, you can create two hands and start with a powerful value of 11. When you split your Aces, you have a high chance of hitting a 10-value card and making a total of 21.
Split Your 8s
When you have two 8s, your total is only 16, which is one of the worst possible hand totals that you can get in blackjack.
If you stand with a pair of 8s, you are likely to lose, and if you hit, you are very likely to go bust as well. But if you break them up into two separate hands, you have a good starting hand value of 8. This is a much better position to be in than settling down with your previous total.
The Pairs That You Should NEVER Ever Split
When there are pairs that you should ALWAYS SPLIT, there is also one pair that you should never break because it is already a winning hand.
Never Split Your 10s
If you receive two 10-value cards (10, J, Q, or K), your total is 20. This is a very strong hand that you can get in live casino blackjack, and it is most of the time a winning hand.
Never Splits 5s
When you have a pair of 5s, your current total is 10. And it is an excellent starting hand to start with, and you can even consider doubling down because there is a high chance of getting a 10-value card to make a strong total of 20. But if you split this hand, you will be giving away your strong position against the dealer.
How The Dealer’s Card Dictates Your Split?
For other pairs, the decision to separate them into two separate hands will be primarily based on what card the dealer is showing you.
Split 2s, 3s, and 7s
If the dealer’s upcard is weak (2 to 7), then you should split these pairs. Why? The dealer is more likely to bust in this situation because they must continue hitting and will only stand on 17. If you will be splitting your pair, you have a better chance of winning against the dealer.
However, if the dealer is showing you an 8 or higher, you should just hit with these pairs.
Split 4s
You should only split your 4s if the dealer is showing you 5 or 6, and the blackjack table rules allow you to double down after splitting. But if you cannot double down after splitting, experts recommend that you just hit instead.
Split 6s
You should separate your pair of 6s if the dealer is showing you an upcard from 2 through 6. Otherwise, you should just hit to improve your weak total.
Split 9s
If the live blackjack dealer is showing you a weak upcard (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9), then you should split your pairs of 9s. But if the dealer is showing a 7, a 10-value card, or an Ace, expert players suggest that you should stand at your total of 18.
Wrap Up
These pair splitting rules are not opinions or suggestions of expert players; they are the mathematically correct way to play blackjack. If you have a problem memorizing these conditions and are still learning how to play Blackjack, you can always consult your blackjack strategy sheet to save you from making gut feel and emotional decisions.
FAQs:
What Is The Most Important Rule In Splitting Pairs?
When you have a pair of 8s or Aces, always break them into 2 separate hands regardless of what the dealer is showing you.
What Blackjack Table Rules Can Affect Your Splitting Decisions?
There are specific rules that you must consider when you want to split your pairs, such as Double After Split, Re-splitting pairs, Dealer stands/hits on S17, and the number of decks.
What Does DAS Exactly Mean In Blackjack?
This is a special blackjack rule that lets you double your bet on a hand you created from splitting
