Pairs in Blackjack

Pairs – To Split or Not to Split, That Is the Question

Blackjack has multiple variations at both land-based and online casinos, but there are some basics that all versions of the game share. Whenever the player is dealt two initial cards, there are several possible combinations, including getting a pair. As a skill-based game, blackjack allows players to reduce the house edge to its lowest possible level by using basic blackjack strategy. Optimal play also requires making the right decision with certain pairs, with some hands suggesting a split, while other rank-identical cards are better played together.

Handling pairs correctly requires practice and a good knowledge of these types of blackjack hands. With pairs being so common in the game, you might also come across blackjack variations that offer side bets that pay when players are dealt a pair. That further underscores the importance of knowing the correct way to play pairs, and our article can definitely help you with that.

Pairs That Should Never Be Split

In blackjack, there are two pairs you should refrain from splitting under any circumstances, as doing so will most likely cause you to lose or end up in a worse position than before. In general, you should split your hand only when you have a decent chance of making two strong hands. Therefore, when you receive a pair of 10s or 5s, you should avoid splitting, as it will only place you at a disadvantage.

A hand consisting of two 10s has long been the center of attention. Over the years, many heated discussions have taken place, as this pair has proved to be rather tricky. Most gambling experts advise that whenever you get two 10s, it is best to never split them. Instead, you should always stand, regardless of the dealer’s up card. The reason is that this is one of the best hands in blackjack, and splitting it would simply ruin your chances of winning.

Surprising as it may sound, a pair of 10s is one of the most misplayed hands in blackjack, because many players fail to recognize its strength. Considering that the average winning hand is estimated at 18.5 points and that the aforementioned pair totals twenty, your best move is clearly to stand.

The other hand you should never split is a pair of 5s, and it requires a different approach. If you split them, you will most likely end up with two hands that have little chance of achieving a decent total. Initially, when you are dealt a pair of 5s, your hand totals ten, which gives you a fairly good start in the game. However, if you split this hand, you will simply make two weak hands out of one strong.

This time, instead of splitting, you should double down or hit, depending on the dealer’s up card. If the dealer is showing two through nine, you should double down, because the dealer is in a weak position and you should capitalize on it. This way, you have the chance to increase your wager when the odds work in your favor. If the dealer shows a ten or an ace, then it is best to hit and try to improve your hand.

Pairs That Should Always Be Split

Unlike the cases in which you have a pair of 5s or 10s, there are some situations that always require splitting. For instance, whenever you have a pair of 8s, you should always split. Most proficient blackjack players agree that you should always split a pair of 8s, regardless of the dealer’s up card. However, this combination is considered one of the trickiest hands. It is important to take your time and consider the possible moves if you do not want to leave the casino empty-handed.

Having a pair of 8s in your hand gives you a total of sixteen. On the one hand, this total probably isn’t enough to beat the dealer, considering that the average winning hand is 18.5 points. On the other hand, if you attempt to improve it by getting one more card, your chances of going over twenty-one and busting are too high.

Another hand that should be split consists of two aces. The ace is the most powerful card in the deck and therefore, whenever you have such a pair, it is essential to know what your best option is. If you know how to proceed in such challenging situations, you will be able to get the most out of every game.

You should always split paired aces, regardless of the blackjack variation you play or the dealer’s up card. In fact, a pair of aces is a soft hand that totals 12 or 2, as aces can count as 1 or 11. Hence, it is better to split paired aces and form two separate hands, each of which has a strong starting value of 11. This way, you improve your chances of winning by playing two strong hands simultaneously. In addition, you have a very good chance of drawing a ten-valued card and hitting blackjack, as a single deck contains sixteen ten-valued cards. Of course, there are a few exceptions to the rule. If you play a no-hole-card game, you should hit your paired aces if the dealer’s up card is an ace and split in all other cases.

Important Considerations

Blackjack is a card game with many variations that are just as widespread and popular as the classic game. These versions use the same basic rules as the original game. However, they also introduce additional rules and features. One of the rules that can vary, depending on the blackjack variation and the casino, concerns splitting. This is why you should always double-check the rules of the game in advance to make sure they are not altered in the casino’s favor.

However, some variations impose certain restrictions on the number of times you may split, or on the types of cards you are allowed to split. You should also double-check whether doubling down after splitting is permitted and whether you are allowed to split aces. In general, if you are denied the option to split a pair, the house edge increases by approximately 0.57%. If splitting aces is not allowed, as you might expect, this also works in favor of the casino, increasing the house edge by 0.10%. If you are allowed to re-split aces, this is beneficial for you, as it gives you an advantage of 0.32%.

Conclusion

While playing blackjack, you will inevitably be dealt a hand that consists of two cards of the same value. If you want to handle these situations successfully, you should be prepared in advance. It is highly recommended to learn all possible moves so you know which is the best option and which you should avoid, depending on the current situation. For instance, when you have a pair of 10s and you know that your chances of busting are incredibly high if you hit, you will avoid this move. Mastering the basic strategy will help you decide when splitting is the optimal decision, but you still need to remember that splitting will not always guarantee a win.