Do you split 5s in blackjack?

One of the absolutes in blackjack is that you should never split 5s. Most players aren't even tempted, because they recognize they have a much stronger building block for a hand when they start with 10 than starting each of two hands with 5s.

What numbers do you split in blackjack?

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.

Do you ever split 7s in blackjack?

As for single-deck blackjack, splitting 7s is recommended when the dealer's face-up card has a value of 2 through 8 only. However, the 7s should be split against the 8 only on condition the house rules allow for doubling down after pair splitting.

Do you split 5s against a 6?

If you split, 5 is a much weaker starting point to the hand. Starting with 5 vs. 6 still is a profitable hand for the player because you can stop hitting if the next couple of cards leave you with a weak hand, while the dealer must hit until either getting 17 through 21 or busting.

Do you split 2s against a 5?

For example, if you are dealt a pair of 2s against a dealer's 5 upcard, you should split them. Suppose on the first 2, you are dealt another 2 on the draw. You should resplit to form a third hand. If the casino allows resplits up to a total of four hands, then you should resplit again if you are dealt another 2.

How to Know when to Split Pairs in Blackjack

Do you split 9s in blackjack?

The basic playing strategy for a pair of 9s is to: Split when the dealer's upcard is 2 through 6 or 8, 9. Stand when the dealer's upcard is 7, 10, or Ace.

Do you split 6s in blackjack against 6?

You may find the following two rules an easy way to remember how to play your 6s: In a single- and double-deck game with DAS, split 6s against dealer's 2‒7; otherwise hit. If NDAS, split against 2‒6. In a multi-deck game with DAS, split 6s against dealer upcard of 2‒6; otherwise hit; if NDAS, split against 3‒6.

Do you split 4s vs 6?

For example, suppose you are dealt a pair of 4s in a six-deck game with DAS and the dealer's upcard is a 6. The basic playing strategy (shown in the above chart) states to split. The reason is because splitting has a greater positive expectation of winning than either hitting or doubling down.

Should you always hit 16 in blackjack?

When holding nine or less or 12-16 it's best to hit, but stand on a total of 17 or more. If the dealer's card is a four, five or six it is vital you do not bust.

Should you ever split 6s in blackjack?

Probability-wise you are more likely to defeat a dealer with an up-card in this range if you split your sixes than if you attempt to play them as a single hand. Splitting your sixes means you could get a ten. This puts you in a good place against a dealer who could well bust.

Why is splitting 5s bad?

By having a pair of 5s in their hand, they have the chance to reach 21 with one more hit and moreover, it deprives them of going bust. Splitting this pair will certainly place players in a worse position than the one they have started from, which is why this move should be avoided.

Should you always double down on 11?

For most people, particularly those who are newer to blackjack, it's almost always a good idea to double down when you are showing an 11.

Should I hit 13 against a 2?

13 stands against dealer 2 through 6, otherwise hit. 12 stands against dealer 4 through 6, otherwise hit. 11 always doubles. 10 doubles against dealer 2 through 9 otherwise hit.

Do you split 7s against a 5?

RESPLITTING 7S

For example, if you are dealt a pair of 7s against a dealer's 5 upcard, you should split them. Suppose on the first 7, you are dealt another 7 on the draw. You should resplit to form a third hand.

Do you ever split 10s?

With all that said, Herb, there are moments in which splitting 10s can be a good strategy. In Face-up Blackjack, where all the cards dealt are exposed, including both dealer's cards, the correct strategy is to split 10s against the dealer's 13, 14, 15 or 16.

Why do you split 8s?

Splitting eights limits one's losses and improves one's hand. Probabilistic research of expected value scenarios shows that by splitting eights one can convert a hand that presents an expected loss to two hands that may present an expected profit or a reduced loss, depending on what the dealer is showing.

Do you split 8s against a 10?

Michael Shackleford, who calls himself "the Wizard of Odds," says splitting 8s against a dealer 10 has the "smallest expected loss" (as opposed to staying, hitting or doubling) of all moves with a pair of 8s.

What pairs do you never split in blackjack?

Do you hit a 12 against a 3?

No, you should hit a hard 12 against a dealer 3. The decision is close but does favor hitting statistically. If you're counting then you should stand if the true count is 2 or higher.

When should you not split in blackjack?

Should you split all pairs in blackjack? Don't get too enthusiastic with your splitting. Remember, you have to pay more to split, so you should do so when the odds are in your favor. We've already established that is when the dealer looks weak, but even in this situation, you should not split if you are dealt two tens.

Do you ever split 4s in blackjack?

However, there's one very important rule that determines whether you should ever split a pair of 4s. It's the "double after split" rule. You see, if the rules allow you to double down on pairs that have been split, then it becomes advantageous to go ahead and split a pair of 4s if the dealer has a 5 or 6 showing.

Do you double down on 11 against a 10?

When you double down, you risk losing double your original bet, but with 11 vs. 10, you win double your bet more often, giving you a higher average profit.

What is a soft 17?

A soft hand is any hand that contains an ace that is counted as 11. For example, an ace-6 is a soft 17; so is ace-3-3 and 2-2-ace-2. The basic playing strategy for, say, an ace-6 is much different than it is for a 10-7 (known as a hard 17 because It doesn't contain an ace counted as 11).

Do you hit on 15 against a 10?

In a double- or multi-deck game, if your 15 consists of an 8-7, hit against a dealer 10 upcard (rather than surrender). In all games, if your 16 is multi-card or the result of a pair split, stand against a dealer's 10 upcard instead of hit.