What Does Split Mean In Blackjack
When played correctly, soft blackjack hands offer you one of the best opportunities for blackjack profit. If the dealer is in trouble—meaning that his up card is a 4, 5, or 6—and you hold a soft hand, you can often double down the hand and maximize your profit. Mastering the game of blackjack does not stop at just basic strategy. That only helps you choose when to hit or stand. Highly skilled 21 players know that splitting cards is a great way to maximize your profit potential. That’s especially true when the dealer’s up card suggests they have a relatively weak blackjack hand. Blackjack Split. Firstly, splitting in blackjack can only occur after you’ve been dealt a pair of the same value cards on your initial hand. For instance, two 8s, two 10s, two Jack’s etc. When that happens you will immediately get to split, if you want, because it’s always optional.
In blackjack, the option to split your cards can be vital in order to increase your chances of winning, and lowering the house edge. For long-term success, understanding the advantages, disadvantages and when to pounce on the opportunity to split, is crucial. Splitting, as explained on our terminology page, refers to the option of dividing our hand into two separate hands, upon being dealt a matching pair.
We can split our hand if we are dealt two cards of the same value. For example, we can split two Aces, two Fours or two Kings. Depending on the rules, some blackjack games allow us to split non-matching face cards, because they are still valued at 10 points. For instance, we might be allowed to split a King and a Queen.
When splitting, we must place an additional bet equal to our original wager to cover the second hand. Our original matching cards will then be physically separated from each other to form two hands, and we will then be dealt an additional card for each new hand. Now, we play out our hands one at a time, just as we would if we had bet two hands at the start of the round, and we can opt to hit, stand, double down and even split again if the opportunity arises (although some games do not allow us to split again after already having split).
Note: If you are playing in a land-based casino, you must refrain from touching your cards at all times.
Again, depending on the style of 21 we are playing, there can be some slight variations in the rules regarding splitting, but there is always a level of restriction to limit or balance the tactic. The main rule which changes from game to game is the continual splitting option, where if we receive two of the same cards and opt to split them, and then receive another card of the same value, we may or may not be able to split again (and again).
Blackjack for online players
Split cards in play
Most styles of blackjack will let you double down on split hands, and also re-split your hands further if the possibility arises. However, as explained, some casinos have rules which restrict additional options. Here are the two common rule variations:
- If you split a pair of Aces, you will only be dealt one more additional card and you cannot hit, double down or split your hands any further and must work with the cards you’re dealt.
- If you split your hand once, further splits or double downs are not allowed.
If we are playing a standard game of blackjack, then standard rules stipulate we can generally split our hands up to a maximum of three times, which would mean we would be playing a total of four hands. Having said that, always check the rules before you begin playing either online or at a B&R casino to avoid confusion. It is important to try and make sure you have enough chips left so if you are dealt a couple of hands in which you’d be best served to split, you aren’t out of cash.
When to split
A common misconception for many in regards to splitting cards is that they should do so every time they receive a matching pair of the same value. Like all blackjack moves, splitting should be carefully considered and the dealer’s up-card should always be taken in to consideration.
Splitting Aces
A pair of Aces is undoubtedly the most popular hand to split. By rule of thumb, we should always choose to split two Aces if we are dealt such a hand. In doing so, we are giving ourselves a greater chance to draw at least one blackjack hand. Alternately, if we opted to keep both Aces for a total value of either two or 12 points, this would eliminate and waste the potential for two separate hands reaching a natural blackjack. In some games, if we hit blackjack (whether it be after splitting or without splitting), we are paid out immediately, regardless of what the dealer has.
What Does Split Mean In Blackjack Stand
Note: Due to the popularity of splitting Aces in blackjack, should a split Ace be dealt a card valued at ten, some casinos and their rule variations will not regard that as a natural blackjack, and will not payout 3:2, but rather 1:1 Try to avoid such rules.
Blackjack is one of the most popular and exciting card games in the casino. It’s easy to learn how to play and how to bet. So, this month in our Ask the Dealer column, we’re featuring blackjack and how to play it. Here, our dealers will expertly answer your most-asked questions about how to play casino games and what tips they have for winning.
Blackjack, also known as “Twenty-One,” is a fast-paced but simple card game that requires some quick thinking and adding on your part to ensure you know what your next move should be. The house odds in Blackjack are lower than in other games; with some advanced strategies, you could win big playing this popular card game.
What Is the Object of the Game?
You are playing against the house or the dealer. You want to beat the dealer’s hand by getting cards that add up to as close to 21 as possible, but not over 21. If you go over 21, you lose automatically.
What Does Split Mean in Blackjack?
Good Question! If you hold two cards that are the same number in your hand, like two eights or two sixes, you can split them apart and play each one like two separate hands instead of one. Once you split your two cards into two hands, you’ll place your original bet with one hand and place an equal bet on the second, split hand.
You will play the hand to your right first. The dealer will give you a card when you ask for a “hit.” You will continue to hit until you are satisfied or you bust.
Then, you move to play the other hand and have the dealer hit you with cards until you say “stop” or you go over 21. If you go over 21, you lose your bet on that hand.
If you have a pair of aces and split them, the dealer will give you only one additional card per hand. You cannot draw again. If you draw a 10 on the second card, you have 21. Your winning hand pays 1:1, not 3:2 like other winning blackjack hands.
What Does Split Mean In Blackjack Poker
What Does Double Down Mean in Blackjack?
This is another excellent strategy question. On your original two cards, you can double your bet before the dealer gives you another card. You place another bet equal to the first. Then, the dealer will give you only one card The dealer settles all bets at the end of the hand.
If you have sevens, you can split a pair, as above, and double down if you want to.
Enjoy the Game
Be sure to ask a dealer if you have questions! And check back for future issues of Ask the Dealer, where we will likely talk about why you’d want to split or double down a blackjack hand and the deeper strategy behind these moves.
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